Antong Cross-Over Trail: Exploring the Century-Old Path Introduction
※Trail opening information can be found on the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture【Latest News】. To reach the west entrance of the Antong Ridge Trail, you can turn off the Taiwan Highway No. 30 at the 23.5 km mark at the Fuxiang Bridge onto the industrial road, following the signs for 4.2 km to arrive at the trail entrance. The Antong Ridge Trail stretches from the Antong Hot Spring area in Yuli Township, Hualien County, to Zhuhu Village in Changbin Township, Taitung County. It is the first trail to cross the Coastal Mountain Range from Hualien to Taitung, rich in ecological landscapes and profound historical significance. Walking along the trail allows hikers to reminisce about past sceneries and seek the footprints of ancestors. With over a century of history, the Antong Ridge Trail has existed for more than a hundred years. During the Qing Dynasty, due to the "open mountain and pacify the indigenous people" policy, Governor Wu Guangliang opened this ridge trail, which became the matrimonial path for the Amis and Pingpu tribes from the Qing Dynasty to Japanese rule. It was also a missionary path for spreading Christianity into the hinterland and a smuggling route for residents to transport fish and tobacco to evade Japanese police inspections. In the 1970s, with the opening of the Ruigang Highway, Dongfu Highway, and Yuchang Highway, the Antong Ridge Trail gradually lost its function in traversing the Coastal Mountain Range and fell into disrepair. In recent years, with the rise of the tourism industry and its latent natural resources and cultural historical value, the Forest Bureau renovated approximately 2 kilometers of the western section of the trail in 2008, reintroducing the Antong Ridge Trail to the public. It has since become a beautiful hiking route filled with cultural and ecological significance in southern Hualien, while the eastern section was opened in 2016. Surrounded by forests and overlooking mountains and the sea, the trail is divided into west and east sections, with a total length of 13 km. Most hikers start from the west entrance, where they are greeted by lush, shade-giving primeval forests. The wooden boardwalk leads visitors to glimpse the breathtaking scenery of the ancient path. The trail features two observation decks; from the first, hikers can enjoy a panoramic view of the tranquil Pacific Ocean to the east and the crisscrossing Huadong Valley to the west. The second observation deck marks the end of the western section, where one can choose to return the same way or continue on to the eastern section. However, compared to the gentler slopes of the west section, the east section is steep, with some segments requiring rope climbing, making it quite challenging. Following in the footsteps of those who came before, hikers can seek the historical traces of the Antong Ridge Trail amidst ancient towering trees along the narrow paths, preserving the essence of primeval nature, making it suitable for those who wish to wander and experience the tranquility of the dense forest, allowing their spirits to settle in the serene and lush surroundings.
Antong Old Trail: Exploring the Century-Old Path
Antong Historic Trail: Exploring a Century-Old Pathway
