Shumeiping Old Trail Introduction
Shumeiping Ancient Trail is located next to the 19K marker on County Road 102 (at 18.7~18.8K), a spacious parking lot at an elevation of approximately 502 meters, situated at the highest point of County Road 102. Starting from the border between Jiufen and Jinguashih, it is about 3,500 meters further on. In the past, County Road 102 was widened and rebuilt mainly for military purposes, and it has now become one of the best viewpoints for the public to appreciate the scenic beauty of the water, gold, and Jiufen area. The expansive land offers a clear view including Wuliaojian Mountain, Banping Mountain, Keelung Mountain, Shuian Cave, Jinguashih, Jiufen, Xiaojinguashih, Xiaocukeng Mountain, and Dacukeng Mountain, with stunning scenery. To the east lies the Banshan Mountain Range, while the south features the Mudan Mountain Range. From this perspective, the Xiaojinguashih, resembling a hippopotamus, appears particularly cute. This viewpoint provides an unobstructed view of the majestic and spectacular shape of Keelung Mountain, which is awe-inspiring. It is also a junction of several important trails; to the south of Shumeiping is the entrance to the Diaoshan Ancient Trail (a pre-war road, where dense cogon grass should be noted), which connects to the relay point on the Diaoshan Ancient Trail, Fude Temple. Head east to connect to the Caoshan Industrial Road leading to the Golden Shrine Trail, or turn back towards the former mining area of Shumei. If heading south, it follows the route of the Diaoshan Ancient Trail, connecting southeast to Sandiao Bridge on Mudan Creek (Zhengguang Sanqiao), while to the southwest it runs along the ridgeline of Mudan Mountain back to County Road 102. If you continue along County Road 102 for about 300 meters further from Shumeiping, you will consecutively see the endpoints of the Xiaocukeng Trail and Dacukeng Trail; another path leads to the Xiaojinguashih at the first fork according to the signage, allowing one to personally experience the early source of gold mining that initiated the gold rush and embrace the feeling of Jinguashih. There is also a trail leading to Qinxianguo Middle School. The second fork leads to the Dacukeng Trail, which passes through the Shengfu Mine, currently the only remaining coal mine in the country still in operation.
