Wuzhi Mountain Range_Bai Lu Si Mountain_Kangle Mountain_Mingju Mountain Qingshan Trail Introduction
Bai Luwan Mountain, Kang Le Mountain, and Ming Ju Mountain are surrounded by Dahu Park and ancient trees, creating a three-segmented hiking trail that is a popular spot for residents of Neihu District to exercise, socialize, and gather. Bai Luwan Mountain Hiking Trail The Bai Luwan Mountain Hiking Trail is located next to Dahu Park in Neihu. This trail winds and twists as it ascends, earning it the nickname "Fifty Bends Trail." Typically, by the time hikers reach the halfway point, they can no longer distinguish directions, making a compass quite handy at that point. The valley along the trail is rich in ancient fern species, such as the pencil cedar and the Guanyin lotus, along with sturdy acacia and Eugenia trees that emit refreshing phytoncides. Kang Le Mountain Hiking Trail The Kang Le Mountain Trail begins next to the Huangshi Temple by Section 5 of Chenggong Road in Neihu. The shady trail with cool breezes is a favorite for morning joggers and offers the best vantage point for appreciating Dahu Park from its highest point. The olive trees and large banyan trees along the trail are undoubtedly key landmarks, particularly the latter, which is a grand banyan tree with a trunk circumference of 4 meters, affectionately called "Yong Bo Shenmu" by locals. Ming Ju Mountain Hiking Trail The Ming Ju Mountain Hiking Trail retains much of its original forest landscape. Along the way, there are three large leaf banyan trees, similar in trunk girth to Kang Le Mountain's banyan tree, earning them the title of "Three Giants," making this a narrow path filled with rural ambiance. Hikers on the Ming Ju Mountain Trail often combine it with the previously mentioned Bai Luwan and Kang Le Mountain Trails; the exit leads directly to the Neigou Ecological Exhibition Hall, making it an ideal weekend activity. Adventure in the Original Forest How about a weekend adventure along the trails? Start at Bai Luwan Mountain, where the trailhead is a narrow path, and perhaps due to its proximity to the city, it winds past wasteland and vegetable plots, leaving a mixed scent in the air, heightened by expectations of aromatic phytoncides. The Bai Luwan Hiking Trail, also known as the "Fifty Bends Trail," provides a leisurely winding ascent with gentle steps. However, with all its twists and turns, hikers often find themselves disoriented halfway through. Nevertheless, they will notice the unique sight of various dead trees along the trail, most notably the mountain hemp that frequently appears in the forest. The high density of mountain hemp in the nature remnants near Taipei is quite rare. Ancient ferns such as the pencil cedar and the Guanyin lotus reach heights of one to two stories, a forest type that's uncommon in the Neihu area. Down the south slope, you can also find robust acacia and Eugenia trees. These tall trees emit refreshing phytoncides, making hikers feel invigorated as if they are drawing energy from the mountains. Exploring Ancient Trees Not to let Bai Luwan Mountain have all the glory, both Kang Le Mountain and Ming Ju Mountain are home to ancient trees, many of them quite robust. The trails on Kang Le Mountain feature Taipei City's largest olive tree, a century-old tree with a trunk circumference of nearly 300 centimeters standing along the uphill concrete path next to the ruins of the Shanhai Temple. It is said that because the temple was built illegally, it faced demolition. However, the century-old olive tree has weathered many storms and remains ever green, robust as ever. Continuing past the old olive tree, the concrete path gives way to a simpler route of tree roots and dirt. In the serene and quiet forest, there's a large banyan tree with sprawling branches and foliage. Earning its status as a landmark of the Kang Le Mountain Trail, locals also refer to it as a "sacred tree.” As its name suggests, this banyan tree, with a trunk circumference of about 4 meters, is certainly one of the longevity trees. At the later part of the Ming Ju Mountain trail, there is a large leaf banyan that rivals the "sacred tree" of Kang Le Mountain. This narrow path, rich in rural ambiance, features two additional banyan trees near the entrance and midway through, becoming key scenic points along the route despite their uncertain ages. Lakes and Mountains The Wuzhi Mountain Range is located to the northeast of the Taipei Basin, which experiences a unique position in terms of topography and climate, serving as the outlet for monsoon winds entering the plains through the Keelung River Valley, and as an outpost for the surrounding mountains leading into lower terrain. As it compresses two ecological features, the area is particularly rich in species diversity. This explains why although the three hills are not high, they provide a serene environment and dense forest cover. Kang Le Mountain stands only half the height of Bai Luwan Mountain, yet perhaps distance breeds beauty. Dahu Park lies at the foot of Bai Luwan Mountain, while the highest point of Kang Le Mountain Trail offers the best view of Dahu Park. The observation platform atop Bai Luwan Mountain not only overlooks the nearby Dahu Park and the Wuzhi Mountain range but also allows for a distant view of Xizhi and Keelung. Nearby, a rustic shed and a cobblestone path lead to an unrefined earthen surface, contrasting sharply with the neatly aligned stone steps of the previous and following trails. However, Bai Luwan Mountain does offer the first rest pavilion at the very first bend of the "Fifty Bends." Unlike Kang Le Mountain, where the rest pavilion known as "Shanshui Pavilion" appears only at the trail's end. Since the distance between the two sections is not great and both peaks offer spots to rest, there are indeed enough resting points along the way. As for the Ming Ju Mountain Trail, which is already relatively narrow, walking all the way to the exit takes you directly to the banks of the Neigou Stream, listening to the gentle flow of the stream and washing away fatigue, providing a refreshing and enjoyable experience.
