Shimen Reservoir Trail Introduction
Who says the beautiful scenery of red maple leaves is exclusive to high mountains? Shimen Reservoir, a popular low-elevation maple viewing spot in northern Taiwan, transforms into a romantic tapestry of red with thousands of green maples and maple trees during the autumn and winter seasons. Walking along the trails allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in this enchanting scenery while alleviating the fatigue of hiking, offering stunning views that rival those in high-altitude mountains. Entering the park from the Shimen Reservoir toll station, visitors are greeted by towering sweet gums that extend like a green tunnel. As you proceed along the lakeside road, the wide path is dotted with hikers, passing by the Tianyuan area with simple children's playground equipment and the octagonal pavilion that overlooks Shimen Dam. From here, one can access the maple viewing trail, where in deep autumn, maple trees over 30 years old on the slopes interweave in layers of red, yellow, and green, accompanied by fluttering butterflies that leave visitors in awe! Climbing up to the Rotary Pavilion offers a tranquil aesthetic, providing a view of the red leaves reflecting off the rear pond of the Shimen Reservoir. The stone steps in the Maple Forest Park allow for a view of the green maple forest and are also a great spot for plum viewing, each season showcasing its own charm. Continuing onward, passing Shimen Scenic Area and Yishan Pavilion, you reach the best viewpoint of Shimen Reservoir—Songtai Viewing Pavilion, at an altitude of 270 meters, offering a vast panorama that overlooks the spillway and dam, prompting spontaneous exclamations of admiration! If you're lucky enough to witness the reservoir's release of water, the stunning sight of the rushing flow is well worth the trip! Just about 450 meters from Pinglin toll station, Xizhou Park features a lotus pond, lover's bridge, and a path designed to accommodate the terrain's undulations, allowing visitors to admire the diverse tree species, lush green hills, and the pond's water hues, making for a delightful experience. On holidays, many travelers picnic here to enjoy leisurely moments. In addition to the aforementioned maple viewing trails, the Maple Forest Trail and Xizhou Park Trail, the park also has pathways in the Jiatonglin Park and Nanyuan Ecological Park for visitors to enjoy the scenery of Shimen Reservoir. As night falls, the Nanyuan Ecological Park cleverly utilizes lighting to guide visitors on a magical night tour; the mist-covered landscape pools and the scattered yellow lights along the path create a gentle visual atmosphere, reducing light pollution and fostering a friendly lighting environment. In recent years, Shimen Reservoir has become more than just a favorite spot for travelers visiting Taoyuan; it is also a popular venue for many unique events. The "Taoyuan Half Marathon—Shimen Reservoir Maple Half Marathon" attracts thousands of runners each year, making it one of the rare ecological marathons in the country. The lakeside racecourse is surrounded by beautiful maple scenery, providing runners with a visual feast that blends nature and culture as they sweat it out. Beyond road running, there are also numerous hiking and cycling competitions held over the years, making sports another option for exploring Shimen Reservoir.
