Taichung is a lowkey hiker’s paradise. In the more mountainous regions, there are plenty of thrilling day-long excursions to be enjoyed, but there are plenty of walks even right at the city’s edge. The Dakeng hiking trails are probably the best-known of these suburban trails. Criss-crossing the hills of Beitun District there is a network of paths for hikers to enjoy. The most photogenic of these involve rickety-looking walkways fashioned from logs, but some of the paths make use of more common trail-building methods. This route encompasses two of the Dakeng trails, and takes you past temples, up steep summits and through a mountaintop adventure playground.
Distance: 3.4km – There’s definitely potential for extending this though.
Time: We did this in a leisurely 2½ hours.
Difficulty (regular Taiwan hiker): 2/10 – Some steps, a slightly confusing network of trails.
Difficulty (new Taiwan hiker): 4/10 – The steps can be quite tiring if you’re not used to them.
Total ascent: Around 150m or so.
Water: 0.5L on a cool winter day, I would have needed more in the summer. There’s a hot water dispenser at the temple where trails six and seven join
Shade: Pretty well shaded, but I would have wanted something to cover my neck on a sunny day.
Mobile network: Pretty clear throughout.
Enjoyment: A fun stomp around Taichung’s back garden (although not quite as impressive as some of the other Dakeng Trails).
Route Type: Loop
Permit: None needed
Jump to the bottom of this post for a trail map and GPX file.
We parked in the trailhead carpark next to a toilet block and I was surprised to see it almost a third full despite the fact that we visited on a midweek morning. The trail starts at the opposite side of the carpark to the toilets, next to a map.
Right from the start this trail lets you know what it’s going to be like: steps, steps, and more steps.
There is the occasional respite where the trail runs flat, but by and large it it just a whole lot of climbing.
Thankfully the steps are quite pretty, and the trail is sheltered by lots of greenery.
Take the steps on the right (actually they both link up again after a short time, but the steps trail is prettier).
My water bottle was in Teresa’s bag so the only think I was carrying was my camera and that felt glorious. (I did take a turn to carry the pack later.)
There are few views along the way, but the path does take you up through the trees.
When the steps join the road take a left turn and head slightly down towards a temple.
You’ll know you’re on the right track when you see Guanyin welcoming you.
By the temple, there is an assortment of exercise equipment and seating – note the synchronised stretching going on to the right of the frame. Head straight here then turn right in front of the toilet block.
Just beyond the toilet block, you should spot the next section of the trail. Head up to the junction then turn left (I think the trail on the right joins from close to where we came down onto the road above the temple).
There is a little more climbing to do, but once more, the pretty trail distracts from any tiredness. We also met a friendly man and his rotund poodle(ish) dog. The man was one of those older folk who likes to philosophise, and after asking us if we were able to take out our hearts to show him, concurring that of course, we couldn’t, he then lost me somewhat with the conclusion he chose to draw from that. His dog was extremely cute though.
The philosopher left us after gifting us with that kernel of dubious wisdom, and we able to enjoy the pretty trails by ourselves.
At the top of one brief climb, we encountered this (rather redundant) rope bridge. It must have been installed to stop people getting close to the steep drop on the right, but there’s another trail on the left which takes you over a boulder instead of round the edge and which would avoid the drop entirely.
When K and I got to the platform at this bend in the trail there was a sudden susurrous of wings as a huge flock of diminutive Japanese white-eyes descended upon the tree above us. There were so many of them that the soft patter of them landing sounded almost like rain.
Soon the trail joins a road, take a sharp left here and head towards a collection of buildings.
There are a couple of temples here, as well as toilets and some buildings that look like they’re probably stalls on busy days. One area had a couple of massage tables set up and one guy was having his shoulder rotated by an aunty.
We headed up past the toilet blocks to look at the larger of the two temples.
The main hall is rather small, but it sits within a larger covered area with lots of tables and a water dispenser. The tables are arranged by the outer edge where there is a view out over the landscape below, and they were mostly occupied by tea-sipping retirees.
We took the steps running behind the temple on the left and were surprised to find ourselves face to face with a peacock and two peahens, none of whom were bothered by our presence.
From up here you can look down into the temple forecourt, there were also more old folk boiling water for instant noodles up here. We took a rest and snack break in a nearby pavilion before continuing on.
After having some fruit, we returned down to the junction by the toilets’ water tanks and took the path signposted as being the No.7 trail.
The path soon arrives at a junction and I was intrigued by the play equipment. Naturally, it had to be played on first, but once we had done that, we returned to this spot to take the trail leading down on the left.
Teresa getting to grips with the most challenging section of the obstacle course—it is harder than it looks. Signs at the bottom of this part state that it’s only suitable for people over twelve years old, although some of the other sections are suitable for younger children too.
Naturally, we made the most of the fact that this was a weekday and that we only had to share the playground with two children.
Near the play equipment, there is a lookout platform with views over Taichung.
And a rock known as “wind blown rock” on all the signs. The name comes from the fact that on windy days the wind whistles through a gap in the stone causing it to sing.
After having our fill of play, we returned back to this junction and headed down the narrow trail.
At the next junction take a right (going left would take you back up to the temple and toilet area).
This part of the trail is very different in feeling to the one we walked up.
Dakeng trail No. 8 joins from the right – this one seems different again, less maintained.
One more trail joins from the left (this would take you back up towards the first temple we passed with the big Guanyin statue).
I enjoyed this bamboo fencing.
The final little part of the walk follows a half road/half steps track back down to the road.
All too soon we found ourselves back at the carpark. Hopefully, soon we’ll be able to make it back to walk the rest of the Dakeng trails.
How to get to Dakeng Hiking Trails
Google maps address: We started and finished at the Dakeng Trail No. 6 carpark.
GPS location:
Public transport: This isn’t the easiest to reach by public transport. You’d have to get to Taichung TRA Station first, then catch either the 1, 21, 270 (Via Danan) or the 276 (via Xingzhong Villa) from Taichung Station (Minzhu Intersection) stop to the Dongshan Songzhu Road Intersection bus stop and then walk up a road through a graveyard to get to the trailhead. (Go Foreignogle Maps suggests a couple of other option too, but they all involve transfers.)
Further reading: Foreigners in Taiwan have a post about the Dakeng Trails, as does Taiwan Secrets.
Nearby trails: There are a whole host of Dakeng Trails that I have yet to explore.
Dakeng Trails 6 and 7 Map
GPX file available here on Outdoor Active. (Account needed but the free one works just fine.)
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