Baling Old Trail Ecological Park Introduction
The "Balin Ancient Trail" was originally a path built by the Atayal people in the Fuxing mountainous area. Unlike the ancient trails that go around the mountains, it ascends along the mountain ridges. Although it has fallen into disrepair over the years due to the construction of roads, it has nurtured a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Deep in the forest, one can find dense, primitive broadleaf trees, as well as fragrant trees, Balin stone bamboos, blood vines, and hanging Canarium trees, all narrating the beauty of the natural ecosystem. Today, the Taoyuan City Government has preserved the ruins of the ancient trail and reconnected the segment from Balin Bridge to the Lala Mountain Service Center, establishing boardwalks and rope bridges along the route. The surrounding terrain and landforms of Balin are represented in the Butterfly Pavilion, Beetle Pavilion, Broadleaf Forest Pavilion, and Geology Pavilion, combining local indigenous culture to reopen the long-silent Balin Ancient Trail and create the "Balin Ancient Trail Ecological Park." This allows visiting tourists to experience an in-depth journey that encompasses both nature and culture. Although named "Ancient Trail," the "Balin Ancient Trail" primarily consists of the newly constructed boardwalks, stretching 1.28 kilometers. The tranquil pathway integrates local natural scenery, with the most unique feature being the "Ecological Exploration Rope Bridge," suspended among the trees. Walking on the forest suspension bridge, which accommodates one person at a time, provides close-up views of the canopy ecosystem and a sense of the wind beneath one's feet. As one traverses the rope bridge, one can also look down to see the blood vines weaving through the forest like a dragon, experiencing the thrill of the wild and a different perspective on nature observation. Due to the rich forest resources around Lala Mountain, the ecological park has plans for four exhibition halls: the Butterfly Pavilion, Beetle Pavilion, Broadleaf Forest Pavilion, and Geology Pavilion. The brightly lit exhibit halls showcase various types of specimens and ecological interpretations. From the visitor center, it takes about five minutes to walk to the Butterfly Pavilion, which displays the most representative butterflies and insect specimens from the Northern Cross-island Highway, including a model of the largest purple butterfly in Taiwan. The best time for butterfly watching in Lala Mountain is from March to May each year. The Beetle Pavilion, remodeled from an idle pavilion, is perfect for parent-child visits, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the world of beetles on Lala Mountain. Additionally, there’s the Broadleaf Forest Pavilion, introducing the characteristics of the primitive forest in Lala Mountain, and an interpretation hall showcasing unique geological landscapes, providing visitors with insights into the ecological resources of Lala Mountain, promoting the value of cherishing and protecting this green asset. After passing through the exhibition halls, visitors can proceed down the path to a viewing platform, where they can enjoy an expansive vista that encompasses both the new and old Balin Bridges, while also overlooking the majestic scenery of the Dahan River. For those wanting to closely experience the beauty of the bridge, they can take the "Flying Squirrel Walkway" all the way down to Balin Bridge, getting an up-close view of this new landmark in the Balin area.
