Lala Mountain Giant Tree Area (Forest Recreational Area) Introduction
The Fuba Ridge Trail is also temporarily closed. >> For details, see the link. Time is often described as a knife, and visiting the giant tree group located in the Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area, where you can look up at the epic sight of thousand-year-old wonders, is truly breathtaking as this knife has been intricately crafted over time! The Lalashan giant tree area is situated at the border between the Fuxing District of Taoyuan and the Wulai District of New Taipei City, with elevations ranging from 1,500 meters to 2,130 meters. There are a total of 24 giant trees, with ages ranging from 500 to 1,495 years, making it another giant tree protection area in Taiwan that can be compared with Alishan. Travelers can walk the circular trail around the giant trees to capture all the trees up close in one go. Among the giant trees, only the No. 9 tree is a Taiwanese Cypress; the rest are Taiwanese Red Cedars. Just a 700-meter walk along a gravel path from the Lalashan Visitor Center parking lot leads you to the No. 1 giant tree, which is 1,400 years old, 41 meters tall, and has a circumference of 9.8 meters, requiring five adults to encircle it—a magnificent testament to the passage of time. Upon entering the trail and enjoying the welcoming gift that this pristine forest offers to travelers, further surprises await ahead. Continuing along, you'll successively reach the No. 2 and No. 3 giant trees, with roots dramatically rising from the steep slope, showcasing a wild display of power and beauty. There's a resting area beside the No. 4 giant tree, where the gentle sound of a nearby creek and chirping birds washes away the fatigue of the hike. After taking a break, you can turn right to visit each giant tree in order or turn left for a gentle slope leading to the No. 22 giant tree. Turning right to the end, you reach the No. 5 giant tree, which is the oldest in the area, with a natural large tree hole at its base. Standing in front of a tree over a hundred years old makes humanity feel particularly small, evoking a sense of awe. The towering trees gently filter the sunlight, making the experience refreshing as you enjoy the coolness of the mountains without feeling hot. Continuing to the No. 9 “Mother and Son” giant trees, which are rare Taiwanese Cypress. The original tree (Mother Tree) has died, but the second-generation tree (Son Tree) has continued to grow in this primitive forest, now 440 years old. From this point, the trail begins to descend. The 18th sacred tree near the Daguang Pavilion consists of two thousand-year-old sacred trees intertwined, with a circumference of 20.8 meters, making it the largest giant tree in the area. The Lalashan Nature Reserve not only boasts rich vegetation but also hosts more than 60 species of birds and rare animals, such as Formosan Serows, Mr. Formosan's Deer, and the Formosan Rock Frog. While hiking, look for these endemic species to add more fun to your journey.
