Guandao Mountain Trail Introduction
1. Location: Intersection of Sanyi Township and Dahu Township 2. Starting and ending point: Miaoli County Route 56 to the triangulation point of Guandao Mountain 3. Trail length: 1.2 kilometers, walking time: approximately 45 minutes one way 4. Trail route: Shengxing Station - Dacao Pai - Junction Square - Trailhead (southwest side, southeast side) - Guandao Mountain triangulation point. At an elevation of 888 meters, Guandao Mountain is the highest peak in the Guandao Mountain range, located at the border of Dahu and Sanyi Townships in Miaoli County. The surrounding terrain is mainly gentle hills, and Guandao Mountain stands out prominently in this hilly area, resembling a stork among chickens. To the north of Guandao Mountain’s main peak, steep cliffs drop down sharply, making it appear as a pillar reaching for the sky from the valley below. Named for its resemblance to a guandao (a traditional Chinese saber), this mountain is a significant feature of the landscape. The ecology of the Guandao Mountain area is rich and diverse, providing wide vistas from the peak, which can be accessed via several trails connecting to Shengxing Station, Yutengping Broken Bridge, Liuyutou Reservoir, and Shuangtan Leisure Agriculture Park. On weekends, it is common to see groups of people hiking Guandao Mountain, enjoying the aromatic forest. The Guandao Mountain Ridge Ancient Path runs from Shengxing through Guandao Mountain to the new Shuangkeng Bridge (Provincial Highway 3), with the Guandao Mountain Trail being the western part of this ancient path, connecting Shengxing and Guandao Mountain. This segment winds along the serene Liuyutou Reservoir, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Along the trail, one can see Acacia trees, bamboo, tung trees, Miscanthus floridulus, and sweet potatoes thriving, with a variety of birds such as the Melodious Laughingthrush, Eurasian Magpie, White-headed Bulbul, and Formosan Magpie present, as well as numerous butterflies and reptiles inhabiting this biodiversity hotspot. From the Sanyi Interchange, it takes about 10 minutes by car to reach Shengxing Station, where you can choose to start your hike or continue to the parking lot at Junction Square before beginning. Built in 1906, Shengxing Station is the highest point on the western railway of Taiwan, featuring a charming wooden structure built without nails, showcasing traditional Japanese architectural style. In April 1999, the Miaoli County Government designated it as a county historical site due to its significant historical and cultural value, attracting visitors to experience the old mountain line railway atmosphere. The area around the station is adorned with flourishing greenery, and in April, the white flowers of the tung trees decorate the green landscape elegantly. Nearby, various shops provide local dishes and snacks, making it worthwhile for those wanting to savor the local charm. From Shengxing Station, take the right at the junction and ascend the slope, passing by the Tudi Gong Temple and Dacao Pai, where the trail is shaded by trees and the sounds of birds chirping resonate. At the Junction Square, the path continues to the left through a concrete road leading to Guandao Mountain. Proceeding towards the trailhead, take the right path to reach an abandoned house, and follow the road behind the house to access the southwestern trailhead of Guandao Mountain, where stone steps lead upward to the summit nearby. The peak offers excellent views; looking around, one can see scattered white clouds, layered mountains, and lush green trees. As the sun sets, the gradient of red and orange paints the sky, creating a dreamlike sunset view that prompts visitors to take numerous photos. In autumn and winter, the sea of clouds rises around Guandao Mountain, resembling a "celestial mountain above the sea." From the slightly lower area on the left side of the open summit, one can find the triangulation point. For the return trip, descend from the southeastern side of the summit using a rope ladder and reach the southeastern trailhead, then turn right on the access road back to connect with the southwestern trailhead, retracing the original route back.
