Shifen Cliff Trail Introduction
Shifen Dung, in Hakka, means "the top," is an important transportation trail developed by ancestors for the Dahu Basin, Daliao Village, and Nanhu Village. The original ancient path began in Luhut, Xinlong Village, Dongluo Township, followed the upstream of the Xin Jilong Stream, crossed Shifen Dung, went through Nanhukeng and Caodung, and reached Zhugaowu and Dahu, or descended along the creek from Nanhukeng to the Nanhu area. Due to Shifen Dung being the lowest saddle of the Guandao Mountain Range, the ancient path became an important road from Dongluo and Sanyi to Dahu, which has now been completely replaced by concrete roads. Shifen Dung is located on a small hill on the ridge of the Guandao Mountain; it receives its name from the ten "nao" ovens set up by the pioneering farmers. The eastern section of the Shifen Dung Ancient Path belongs to Nanhukeng, leading to Dahu or Nanhu, where the valleys primarily cultivate strawberries, and residents mainly rely on agriculture for their livelihood. Historical Background: The early pioneering paths generally ran from west to east. Initially, settlers crossed the Guandao Mountain Range from Dongluo and Sanyi to the east, creating multiple east-west ridge paths, making Shifen Dung Ancient Path the most important ancient trail for developing the Dahu area. After the 1870s, it gradually became the ridge path entering Dahu from the Guandao Mountain Range. The salt and mail routes during the Dahu Township development period came from Dongluo along the old Jilong Stream into the mountains, reaching the Xin Jilong area, serving as an important route for the Hakka people’s settlement, preserving traditional Hakka farms and mountain lifestyles. Safety Conditions: Although the mountain trail is located on the ridge, it is not steep, and the gradient is slight. Public facilities are complete at the starting and ending points of the trail. Trail Length: 9 kilometers, Walking Time: Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes one way.
