Wai'ao Cape Introduction
If you open the map of Hsinchu County, you will notice that there are three Mount Bird Beaks within its territory. To distinguish them, hikers refer to the Bird Beak Mountain in Guanxi Township as "Outer Bird Beak Mountain," the one in Jianshi Township as "Inner Bird Beak Mountain," and the Bird Beak Mountain in Wufeng Township retains its original name. Compared to its other namesakes, Outer Bird Beak Mountain, located in Guanxi Township, is relatively low, with an elevation of only 1,350 meters. The ridge undulates gently, and the paths are relatively smooth, making it an accessible forest retreat suitable for people of all ages. Outer Bird Beak Mountain has several trailheads, with the starting point at the Shuitian Forest Road being the farthest. This route takes about an additional hour of walking. If you enter the area by purchasing a ticket from "Mawu Dux Exploration Forest," it takes just over 4 hours to complete the hike, saving time and offering more beautiful scenery along the way. From Mawu Dux, after reaching the junction at the ridge, taking the right path leads to Mawu Dux Mountain and Shuitian Forest Road, while the left path goes to Outer Bird Beak Mountain and Najie Mountain. Along the way, you will pass by the Rainbow Bridge Waterfall and Mawu Dux Waterfall, two slender waterfalls that provide a refreshing break during summer hikes. The path beside Mawu Dux Waterfall takes you up, transitioning from the park trail to a traditional mountain path. Upon reaching the ridge at the cliff’s edge, there is an open platform that offers a distant view of the mountains in Guanxi. At the summit of Outer Bird Beak Mountain, you can find a large rock wall with no base and no area, offering an excellent 360-degree panoramic view. Not only can you enjoy the full scenery of the Shimen Reservoir and the beautiful peaks of the Mawu Mountain Range, but on clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of Taipei 101.
