Zhongyi Mountain Trail, Tatun Mountain Range Introduction
Chungyi Mountain, also known as Xiaobali Fenshan, features stone steps and dense foliage, making it an ideal location for aerobic exercise as one can leisurely climb while enjoying the coolness of the forest. The Chungyi Mountain Trail, located behind the National Taipei University of the Arts, is surrounded by a dense forest, with over 90% of the path shaded, making it a serene and pristine trail. For those who are sensitive to the sun, this is the best route; however, there are many stone steps along the way, especially with uphill stone steps before reaching the summit, requiring good leg strength and stamina. It's important to adjust your breathing rhythm accordingly; otherwise, you may find yourself out of breath. The Chungyi Mountain Trail is close to the city, so local residents often come here to build leg strength and stamina, regardless of morning or evening. Even on hot days during weekends, there is a constant flow of people on the trail. Although the distance isn’t long, the uphill stone steps can make breathing more rapid, especially on the latter part of the path, which is more vertical, requiring careful breathing. There are spots along the path where you can take a break in pavilions, especially in the courtyard path of Xing Tian Gong. The latter part of the trail has wider stone step railings where one can rest. Once you see the green railings, the summit is not far off. At the top, there is a vast platform with long benches for resting. If you want to invigorate your body while fully oxygenated, you can walk on the pebbled path under the shade of trees to awaken your often dormant circulatory system. This prepares you for tackling the steeper paths ahead. A journey along the Chungyi Mountain Trail feels like entering a natural aerobics classroom that energizes your body, and best of all, there is no membership fee, so just lace up your shoes and head up the mountain. Walking along the green path next to the MRT line towards Xing Tian Gong, you can see beautiful mountain landscapes even before reaching the trailhead. The lush greenery elicits joy and makes your steps lighter. As you climb, you’ll notice tall trees, such as pines and thorny bamboos, blocking most of the glaring sunlight, while the sounds of insects and birds bring the place to life, welcoming visiting guests with their cheerful tunes. Along the way, you can glimpse the cityscape of Beitou, and from the summit, you can enjoy better views of Guanyin Mountain and the Danshui River. It is said that Guanyin Mountain looks its most beautiful from Chungyi Mountain, so be sure to take a good look. The summit offers a flat and spacious area, sometimes attracting little egrets that pause to rest, contrasting against the barren red soil below. As you begin the descent, the scenery completely changes; the forest becomes denser, and you can hardly see any views beyond the trees, giving a sense of seclusion. Especially as you shift from a spacious area to a narrow path, you might wonder if the way forward still exists or if you are on the wrong track. Guided by the ropes along the way, you will reach a great vantage point. Resting on the rocks allows for a good view of Guanyin Mountain and the Danshui River, presenting a balanced display of nature's beauty right ahead. Once you exit the forest path, the scenery gradually opens up. During the final segment of the trail, you can behold the entire Guandu Plain, with the Beitou MRT depot and the prominent smokestack tower of the incinerator clearly visible, perfectly concluding today’s journey.
