Antung Cross-Island Trail West Section Introduction
The Antong Ridge Trail is located in Yuli Township, Hualien County, on the west side of the southern section of the Central Range. It is part of the western section of the Antong Ridge Trail and is the first road that crosses the Central Range, connecting the eastern coast and the Hualien-Taitung Valley. During the Qing Dynasty, due to the "open mountain and pacify the indigenous" policy, General Wu Guangliang led troops to cross the Central Range and opened the route from Pushige (Yuli) to Chengguangao (Chenggong), thus forming the ridge trail. From the Qing Dynasty to the Japanese colonial period, it served as an important route for marriage, missionary activities, and transportation of goods. After the 1970s, with the opening of highways, it gradually became a desolate abandoned path. However, due to its rich natural resources and significant cultural and historical value, the Forestry Bureau completed its renovation in 2008. The ancient path has long been hidden in the mountains and forests, boasting a primitive ecological environment, with mist swirling around the mountains. Walking into it feels like stepping into a heavenly illusion. Nowadays, those wishing to explore the ancient path can walk from the entrance of Antong Hot Springs in Yuli to the Antong Ridge Trail, which connects to the Central Range Ridge Trail. The round trip takes about three hours and is a moderately challenging trail.
