Forty-two Piles Platform Introduction
In the upstream of the Penglai River in Nantou Township, Miaoli County, there is a little-known secret spot known as the 42-Crossing Ping Ecological Trail. The entire trail is shaded by lush greenery, with gentle streams flowing along the path, the sounds of insects and birds echoing around, and fish visible swimming beneath the water. This tranquil trail is vibrant with life, making it a great place for fish watching everywhere. The trail consists of wooden boardwalks and stone-paved surfaces, has a gentle slope, stretches about 400 meters, and can be completed in about 20 minutes, making it easy for most people to walk. It is suitable for families with both the elderly and children, especially recommended as a summer retreat. At the end of the 42-Crossing Ping Trail, there is a natural hot spring pool, which is a signature attraction of the area. Its water temperature remains around 18 degrees Celsius all year round, with crystal-clear cold spring water flowing out from between the rocks. It provides cool relief in summer and a misty atmosphere in winter, resembling a fairyland. The area is calm with little wind, and the surface of the pool is almost still like a lake, with clear water revealing indigenous fish like the Mullet and Taiwan Stone Dace swimming freely. Even the gravel and aquatic plants at the bottom of the pool are clearly visible. On hot days, you can take off your shoes and dip your feet in the shallower edges of the pool, feeling the refreshing chill that penetrates to the core. Surrounding the pool and trail, the vegetation is lush, with forests of beech and cedar trees. The reflections of the forest and shrubs create a picturesque scene on the still water's surface. In summer, you can also see the blooming Paulownia flowers and dancing fireflies, adding vitality to the tranquility of this place. Unless visitors are reluctant to leave, it can be said that this is an impeccable earthly paradise.
