Shimen Mountain Trail Introduction
In the concrete jungle where high-rise buildings replace the skyline, are you keeping up with the trend of living close to nature and immersing in the mountains? Located on the west side of Shimen Reservoir, Shimen Mountain (also known as Xiaozhukeng Mountain) is one of Taiwan's minor peaks, reaching an elevation of 551 meters. It not only offers magnificent views of Shimen Reservoir, as well as the streets of Longtan and Daxi, but also provides a chance to see Taipei 101! The two popular trails will break your boundaries and liberate your vision! Enter the northern end of the Shimen Mountain Trail from the archway on Minzhi Road. The initial section is an unpaved dirt path, where many vendors gather on weekends selling trekking poles, snacks, and mountain products. The trail features a gentle slope, allowing you to leisurely enjoy the natural feast of acacia trees, Chinese parasol trees, and ferns, while also building stamina to conquer Haohan Slope. The short 400 meters of Haohan Slope, due to its nearly 200-meter elevation drop, can be quite challenging, requiring the use of ropes to assist in climbing. Another route, the Jingchun Trail, is comparatively much easier to traverse. Upon reaching the summit, the vast view of the dam instantly replaces any previous fatigue with excitement. After a brief rest, head directly to Taiping Mountain at an elevation of 535 meters, where a communication tower stands, achieving the goal of conquering two mountains in one day with immense satisfaction! The path beside the labor recreation center at Shimen Mountain features the Guanyin Statue Trail as another hiking option; the flat asphalt path on both sides is adorned with contrasting artistic sculptures and dinosaur models, attracting travelers' attention. The stone steps gradually ascend about 400 meters to a small observation platform, with signposts guiding the viewable landmarks to the east, west, and north. An 8-meter tall Guanyin statue stands elegantly next to the observation platform, quietly watching over the passing visitors. Continuing on towards the Paradise Platform leads you to the intersection of the Haohan Slope Trail and the Guanyin Statue Trail—a first-class triangulation point. This location not only serves as a summit goal for many hikers but is also the best place to enjoy the expansive views. Follow the markers to reach the southern entrance of Shimen Mountain located on Provincial Highway 3乙.
