Niugang Ridge Trail Introduction
The entrance to the Niugang Ridge Trail is located to the right of the Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center, where the giant stone sculpture "Descendants of the Dragon" serves as the most prominent landmark. The trail is 753 meters long, featuring a mix of stone paths and steel-truss bridges, all solid and flat. Along the way, visitors can see a natural ecology dominated by herbaceous and climbing plants, along with large shade trees such as acacia and red nanmu. The golden sunlight filters through the forest, creating a leisurely and relaxed atmosphere. From the entrance to "Chuhuo No." is about 500 meters of steep ascent. Upon reaching the ridge, a gentle saddle follows, where an observation platform to the east offers a broad view. This location is the starting point for signaling during the Battle of Taipei in the year Yi Wei, filled with historical traces that evoke nostalgia. The path from the saddle to the trail's end is about 300 meters of gentle gravel road. Walking through the lush forest, one can only hear the sounds of birds and insects, without the noise of cars. Along the way, there are open landscape views where one can gaze at the picturesque Tamsui River estuary, bringing a sense of clarity. The trail is also adorned with treehouses with unique shapes that attract attention, providing a fun view reminiscent of childhood from them. At the end of the trail, before the observation platform, remnants of an airplane wreck and a stone tablet commemorate the air accident during the Air Force exercise in 1972. Passing through these historical ruins and climbing the steps to the platform, the expansive view reveals Taipei Port, Tamsui City, and even the North Coast. Pausing here to enjoy the scenery while feeling the gentle breeze is refreshing. The Niugang Ridge Trail is also an important butterfly path in northern Taiwan, with many subtropical nectar plants such as red nanmu, jackfruit, fragrant nanmu, stone fruit, and Hua Baxian planted along the route, attracting various butterfly species to feed, especially larger species like the Red Admiral, Leopard Butterfly, Golden Armor Butterfly, and Yunnan Grey Butterfly. On both sides of the trail, "Ecological Information Boards" are set up to help visitors learn about nature in an enjoyable way, making it one of the ecological education sites in northern Taiwan.
