Diao Shan Ancient Trail (Wuyuan Zhi Mu Hiking Trail) Introduction
Diao Mountain Ancient Trail, also known as "Unrequited Grave Mountain Trail," is approximately 2,700 meters long. Friends can invite each other to leisurely stroll along the trail, which not only provides an opportunity for physical exercise but also allows visitors to appreciate the beauty of the green mountains and rolling grasses in the fragrant valley, evoking nostalgic sentiments. When spring arrives, the cliffs are adorned with blooming flowers, creating a breathtaking spectacle that attracts attention, once poetically described as "Diao Mountain Spring Colors" by literary figures of the past. The construction of the Diao Mountain Ancient Trail began in the 31st year of the Meiji era (1898), after gold was discovered in the streams. The trail follows the Ruifang Shumeiping Mountain to the Shuangxi Mudan Keng Mountain, leading to the discovery of gold veins. Consequently, miners flocked to the area, constructing a lightweight transportation route for mining resources and establishing facilities such as mining offices and medical stations. This path became essential for the ancestors traveling between Ruifang Jiufen and Shuangxi, Mudan for commerce and work, with foot traffic bustling in the past. Also, it gave rise to romantic and tragic legends in the mountains, like the story of the Unrequited Grave, with multiple versions of its existence. Unlike the Jinzi Tablet Ancient Trail, there is no shelter along this ancient path, so visitors should remember to take sun protection measures.
