XiaKaoLuo Ancient Trail Introduction
The Lushui-Heluo National Trail is composed of two ancient paths: the Xiaokai Road and the Sakya Jin Road. Originally, it served as a patrol road that traversed the territory of the Atayal tribe "Kinakij Group" in the Jianshi Township of Hsinchu County and the "Xiaokairo Group" in the Wufeng Township. These tribal territories are separated by the main ridge of Mount Xiaokairo, which rises over 2,000 meters, but there were still pathways for visiting relatives and facilitating hunting and defense. During the Japanese colonial period, conflicts between the Japanese military police and the Atayal tribe in this area were frequent, leading the Japanese government to construct military roads on the existing indigenous paths. Since the road needed to cross over the northern saddle of Mount Xiaokairo, it was then referred to as the "Xiaokairo Ridge Path." The Lushui-Heluo National Trail holds both historical significance and touristic value, combining an intellectual and emotional route for appreciating the autumn foliage. It features many remnants of police stations from the Japanese era, as well as bamboo groves that obscure the sky, resembling a green time tunnel, and beautiful maple forests.
