Lantan Back Mountain Trail Introduction
The Lantan Back Mountain Trail is located on the eastern side of the Lantan Reservoir, adjacent to the Lantan Campus of National Chiayi University. The trail has an elevation ranging from 80 to 150 meters, with a total length of about 3 kilometers. Although it is not very high, the terrain is quite varied; it features gentle primitive土 paths, gravel trails, and a wooden plank road with 156 steps that ascends like a ladder, along with stone staircases. There are pavilions for resting, the sound of flowing water, and the romantic scenery of mahogany trees. The trail is lush with foliage, and the continuous chirping of birds along the way makes for a delightful experience, making it an excellent spot for a forest bath. Along the trail, hikers will pass by Mount Zai Ding (elevation 141m) and Hongmaopi Mountain (elevation 150m), with the latter being listed as one of Taiwan's Minor 100 Peaks. This allows hikers to enjoy the thrill of conquering a peak without a long trek; the entire trail can be completed in under two hours, making it very suitable for the general public to exercise and for beginner hikers to practice. The Lantan Back Mountain Trail has orange milestone markers every 50 meters, which indicate the location's latitude and longitude, making it easy for hikers to navigate without getting lost. There are also interpretive signs for common flora and fauna, and early signs that were once passed down by word of mouth among mountain friends have been intentionally preserved, with names like “New Paradise,” “Lake Bottom,” “Little Park,” “Bamboo Shoot Shed,” and “Back Garden.” The name “Lake Bottom” originates from elders’ accounts that early drainage issues on the trail often led to water accumulation after summer rains, creating a small pond-like scene. The name “Bamboo Shoot Shed” refers to an area densely populated with bamboo, where local residents set up simple sheds for easy collection of bamboo shoots, giving birth to the term. Many interesting place names have their origins hidden in the mountains and forests, and are worth exploring for hikers.
