Shifen Waterfall Trail Introduction
Shifen Ridge, meaning "the peak" in Hakka, is an important transportation trail developed by the ancestors for the Dahu basin, Daliao Village, and Nanhu Village. The original ancient path began from Lu Lake in Xinlong Village, Tongluo Township, followed the upstream of the Xinji Long Creek, crossed over Shifen Ridge, passed through Nanhu Keng and Caobeng, reaching Zhugao House and Dahu, or descended along the creek from Nanhu Keng to the Nanhu area. Shifen Ridge, being the lowest saddle in the Guandao Mountain range, made the ancient path a significant route for access from Tongluo and Sanyi to Dahu, which has now been completely replaced by a cement path. Shifen Ridge is situated on a small hill on the ridge of Guandao Mountain, named because the settlers used to roast brain at ten hearths here. The eastern section of the Shifen Ridge ancient path belongs to Nanhu Keng, leading to either Dahu or Nanhu, where the valley flatlands are mostly planted with strawberries, and the residents primarily engage in agriculture for their livelihood. Historical Background: The early paths for reclamation mostly ran from west to east. Initially, when settling, people entered by crossing the Guandao Mountain range from Tongluo and Sanyi to the east, forming multiple east-west crossing paths, with the Shifen Ridge ancient path becoming the most significant ancient road for the development of the Dahu area. After the 1870s reclamation, it gradually became the crossing road into Dahu from the Guandao Mountain range, significant during the reclamation period of Dahu Township for salt and postal routes, reaching the Xinji Long area from Tongluo along the old Jilong Creek, serving as an important route for the Hakka community and preserving the traditional Hakka villages and mountain life. Safety Conditions: Although the mountain path is located on the ridge, it is not steep and has a gentle slope. The facilities at the starting and ending points of the path are well-equipped. Path Length: 9 kilometers, Walking Time: about 2 hours and 20 minutes one way.
