Wuzhi Mountain Range - Dalun Touwei Mountain Qingshan Trail Introduction
Dalongtou Mountain and Dalongwei Mountain are located on the main ridge extending from the Wuzhishan Mountain Range, stretching from the northeast to the southwest. Dalongwei Mountain has an elevation of 451 meters, with giant rocks arranged and towering as peaks, while Dalongtou Mountain, at 475 meters, is the highest peak in the Neihu District. The summit platform offers expansive views, making it an excellent spot for enjoying the scenery. The two mountains stand side by side, creating an imposing presence and serving as an important landmark for the central community in Shilin. The Dalongtou and Dalongwei Mountain Forest Trail leads into Dalongwei Mountain, which has experienced less development due to its steep topography and the protection of water source areas, resulting in a well-preserved natural ecology. Entering from the central community's trailhead, visitors are welcomed by a wide, flat gravel path complemented by towering trees along the sides, providing a cool and comfortable walking experience. At the summit, there is an observation deck where one can gaze upon the surroundings, including the areas of Waishuangxi and Yangmingshan. The trail continues towards Dalongtou Mountain, featuring Dalong Lake at a lower elevation, where the green water reflects the mountain scenery. Along Biyuan Road leading to Dalongtou Mountain, autumn reeds sway gently in the breeze, creating a pleasant atmosphere. To the north of the mountain, there are natural trails connecting to the Wanshui industrial road, with pathways meandering through dense forests in the Neishuangxi Forest Natural Park. The path leading through the forest is a wide and comfortable boardwalk, elevated above the trees to prevent damage to the surface rocks and plants while providing visitors the opportunity to observe nature. Along the way, informational signs appear regularly, helping us better understand the geology and ecology of the surroundings. Occasionally, visitors may see trees "emerging" from the trail, which originally thrived in their natural locations; the pathway simply respects their territory by winding around them. This approach preserves the natural landscape and provides a convenient and comfortable trail for users, offering a win-win situation. The "indigenous" inhabitants of the forest maintain their living spaces, allowing them to thrive amidst the constant sound of insects and birds, and squirrels can often be spotted jumping through the trees. Despite the uphill climb, the rich ecology encourages leisurely pacing and stops for appreciation or reference to the explanatory signs, making the entire journey feel easy and enjoyable, without breathlessness. If a break is needed midway, there are frequently planked platforms at bends along the path for resting and enjoying the view. It’s a rare opportunity in the suburbs to walk on about a kilometer of natural planks, attracting knowledgeable hikers who often go barefoot to maximize the invigorating experience. The rich forest along the access trail to Dalongwei Mountain features a wide flat gravel road at the entrance. The tall trees sway in the wind, creating a rustling sound that harmonizes with the crunch of gravel beneath our feet, clearly indicating that the delightful experience of strolling through the forest will continue. Even though many sections are primarily stone steps, the lush mountain forest accompanies us throughout the journey. Entering this ecological green corridor of nature, the mature and diverse forest environment is due to the forest trail traversing the hidden and nearly undeveloped western foothills of Dalongtou Mountain. Although Dalongwei Mountain lacks primary forest, its steep terrain and location in a water source area mean minimal human disturbance, resulting in better preservation of the natural ecology. On the windward side between Dalongtou and Dalongwei Mountains, the area is subject to strong winds year-round, causing a noticeable drop in tree height and forming a "wind-swept dwarf forest" composed of species such as red nanmu, Formosan sweetgum, large-leaf camellia, and small-leaf red nanmu. The cold temperature effect caused by the northeast monsoon allows plants that typically grow in mid-elevation environments around 2000 meters to thrive at over 400 meters, leading to the unique phenomenon of northern plant species descending in elevation. For example, deciduous plants like wild duckweed and dragon vine, native to temperate regions, also thrive here. The summit area features warm-temperate broadleaf forests, while warmer valleys host tropical plants like buttress roots and epiphytic flowers, creating a unique and rich compressed ecosystem that combines tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate features. As the highest mountain in Neihu District, Dalongtou Mountain offers breathtaking views from its elevated vantage point. The summit platform is spacious and has multiple viewing areas on both sides. To the left, there’s a close-up view of Dalongwei Mountain and Shitou Mountain, while the small hill below on the right is Yuanzai Mountain. From here, the grandeur of Dalongwei Mountain is particularly striking, making it seem more imposing than its mere 400-meter height suggests. Looking north, the barrier range of the Datun Mountains and the distinctive volcanic profile of Shamaoshan are clearly visible. On the opposite side of the valley, Pingdingli lies atop the platform formed by lava flows from volcanic eruptions. Moving to the other end, the reflections of Wuzhishan and the surrounding lakes of Neihu Lake Park create a picturesque scene, extending over the Keelung River and the mountains stretching from Xizhi to Pingxi, Shiding, and Keelung, which are boundless. Near the summit of Dalongwei Mountain, there are plenty of pavilions and observation areas for resting. The summit platform is quite expansive and has a simple observation deck that allows for views of Waishuangxi and the surrounding Yangmingshan National Park landscape. Descending via a small staircase to a platform near a thatched hut offers yet another experience. Close to the peak, a large observation platform provides a 360-degree panoramic view, allowing visitors to survey the undulating Wuzhishan range and the peaks in the direction of Xizhi, instilling a feeling of commanding dominance akin to being on a ship.
