Datong Mountain Hiking Trail Introduction
Datong Mountain stands 237 meters tall and is a hill located on the southeast ridge extending from Dadong Mountain, situated directly north of the Shanjia Station. It is often referred to as the "back garden" of the forest area. The hiking trails on Datong Mountain consist of steps, primitive paths, and concrete paths, with three main routes that converge at Qinglong Ridge. Two of the trailheads are not far from the Shulin Station and Shanjia Station, making it accessible via Taiwan Railways for hiking. The trails are lined with dense foliage, featuring gentle ascents and descents, and the observation platform at the mountain's summit offers excellent views, allowing one to see the panoramic scenery of the Taipei and New Taipei cities. At the observation platform on Datong Mountain's peak, there are facilities such as an observation deck and a pavilion. On clear days, visitors can enjoy the magnificent skyline of the Taipei metropolitan area and the distant Keelung Mountain in Ruifang, as well as watch the high-speed trains of the HSR pass through the city like a long dragon. At dusk, one can take a break at the observation platform to enjoy the cool breeze and wait for the lights of countless homes to illuminate the surroundings. Datong Mountain, also known as Jiucha Mountain or Dog Hoof Mountain, has archaeological sites where many Neolithic pottery and stone tools were discovered, leading to the name Dog Hoof Mountain Site. Along the hillside, there are temples such as Nanjiao Fude Temple, Haiming Zen Temple, and Wangmu Temple, where hikers can take a rest. The Fude Temple also features a stone slide and a cold mineral spring swimming pool for visitors to enjoy.
