Maple Box Lake Trail Introduction
Many visitors come to the Fenggui Dou Lake Trail searching for the "lake," but they can't find it. After asking the locals, they realize that this U-shaped depression surrounded by mountains on three sides is referred to as a "lake." Upon closer observation, one will notice that the location of the Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center is situated amidst this scenic "Dou Lake." Hikers walking the Guanyin Mountain Trail system often consider this trail as a branch line of the Yinghan Ridge Trail because the end of the Fenggui Dou Lake Trail connects with the Yinghan Ridge Trail at 940 meters, lacking its own independent peak. The Fenggui Dou Lake Trail is approximately 788 meters long, with its entrance located behind the Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center at "Lion Park," next to Huafu Mountain Road (North 53). The wall opposite the parking lot is marked with a sign that says "Fenggui Dou Lake Hiking Trail." Proceeding along the access road for about 500 meters, hikers enter a small path on the left side of residential areas, where neat stone steps begin to incline steeply upward. Those traversing this trail seem to be experienced hikers, moving leisurely and with ease. Flanking both sides of the trail are dense forests and bamboo, providing excellent shade. The sound of the brook flowing alongside the trail accompanies the footsteps of hikers, helping alleviate the fatigue of those who are less experienced. In fact, this trail is neither too long nor too short; the 788 meters of stone steps can be traversed with breaks, and before you know it, you arrive at the saddle junction, connecting with the Yinghan Ridge Trail. Turning left leads to Yinghan Ridge, while turning right takes you downhill through the Water Resources Agency relay station and the Weaklings Club, eventually leading to the exit on North 53 Road at Lingyun Zen Temple's founding site, which is also a good option. The Fenggui Dou Lake Trail is of moderate length and ample gradient, making it a suitable path for fitness, strength training, and self-endurance challenges.
