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's elevation ranges from 80 to 150 meters, with a total length of approximately 3 kilometers. Although the overall elevation is not high, the terrain is very varied; it features gentle primitive dirt paths, gravel trails, as well as a wooden plank road with 156 steps resembling a ladder and stone steps. There are pavilions for rest, flowing water to listen to, and a romantic paradise of mahogany. The trail is lush with branches and leaves, accompanied by the continuous sounds of birdsong along the way, making it a delightful place for a forest bath. Along the trail, hikers will pass by Shan Zai Ding Mountain (elevation 141m) and Hong Mao Pi Mountain (elevation 150m), the latter of which is listed as one of Taiwan's Minor 100 Peaks. Without a long journey, you can enjoy the thrill of conquering the peaks, completing the trail in under two hours. This makes it an excellent trail for the general public to exercise, as well as for beginners in mountaineering. Every 50 meters along the Lantan Back Mountain Trail, there are orange milestone markers indicating the location's latitude and longitude for easy navigation, as well as interpretive signs for common plants and animals. The site also intentionally preserves the old names that were passed down among early mountain friends, such as "Xin Le Yuan," "Hu Di," "Xiao Gong Yuan," "Sun Liao," and "Hou Hua Yuan." For instance, "Hu Di" was named because, due to poor drainage on the trail in the past, water often accumulated after summer rains, creating a small lake-like appearance that the climbers named. "Sun Liao" emerged because of the dense bamboo forests surrounding that section of the trail, where local residents set up simple houses nearby for easy collection of bamboo shoots. Many interesting place names have their origins hidden in the mountains and forests, making them worth exploring for hikers.
