Guandaoshan Trail

1. Location: Border of Sanyi Township and Dahu Township 2. Start and End Points: Miaoli County Road 56 ~ Guandaoshan Triangulation Point 3. Trail Length: 1.2 kilometers, Hiking Time: Approximately 45 minutes one-way 4. Trail Route: Shengxing Station - Dacaupai - Forked Road Plaza - Trailhead (Southwest side, Southeast side) - Guandaoshan Triangulation Point With an elevation of 888 meters, Guandaoshan is the main peak of the Guandaoshan Mountain Range, located at the border of Dahu and Sanyi Townships in Miaoli County. The surrounding terrain is mostly hilly with gentle slopes and wide ridges. Guandaoshan stands out prominently in this hilly area, like a crane among chickens. The north face of Guandaoshan's main peak features a steep, deep cliff; when viewed from the valley below, it appears like a pillar supporting the sky. It gets its name because its shape closely resembles a 'Guan Dao' (a traditional Chinese glaive). The Guandaoshan mountain area boasts extremely rich and diverse ecology. The summit offers expansive views and connects via multiple trails to attractions such as Shengxing Station, Yu Teng Ping Broken Bridge, Liyutan Reservoir, and Shuangtan Recreational Agricultural Park. On weekends, it's common to see people visiting Guandaoshan in groups to get close to the forest filled with phytoncides. The Guandaoshan Trans-ridge Ancient Trail extends from Shengxing in Sanyi, through Guandaoshan, to Xinkai Shuang Keng Bridge (Taiwan Provincial Highway 3). The Guandaoshan Trail is the western section of this ancient trail, specifically the segment between Shengxing and Guandaoshan. This section, winding along Liyutan Reservoir, appears tranquil and elegant. Along the trail, one can see acacia trees, moso bamboo, tung trees, sword grass, and wild taro growing profusely. There's a wide variety of birds, such as laughingthrushes, magpies, Chinese bulbuls, and mynahs, as well as many butterflies and reptiles that inhabit the area, making it a vibrant ecosystem. From the Sanyi Interchange, it's about a 10-minute drive to Shengxing Station. You can choose to start your hike from here or continue to the parking lot at the large plaza (forked road) before beginning your walk. Built in 1906, Shengxing Station is the highest point on Taiwan's western railway. The wooden station is quaint and antique, constructed without the use of any nails, showcasing a Japanese architectural style. In April 1999, the Miaoli County Government designated it a county-level historic site. Its significant historical and cultural value has allowed it to be preserved, attracting crowds to experience the charm of the old mountain railway line. The area around the station is adorned with lush flowers and trees, offering pleasant scenery. Tung trees line the nearby hilltops, and in April and May, their snowy white blossoms elegantly adorn the greenery. Adjacent to the station are many local vendors offering authentic local dishes and snacks; it's worth a visit if you want to savor the Hakka flavors. Proceed from Shengxing Station, and at the fork, follow the signs to the right. The trail gradually ascends, passing a local earth god temple (Tudigong Temple) and Dacaupai. The path is shaded by trees, with birdsong echoing throughout. Upon reaching the large plaza at the fork, take the concrete road on the left-rear side to ascend Guandaoshan. Continue towards the trailhead, then take the right fork uphill to an abandoned house. Follow the road behind and to the right of the house; this is the southwest trailhead of Guandaoshan. Ascend the stone steps, and the summit of Guandaoshan will be not far away. The summit offers excellent views. Looking around, one can see scattered white clouds, layers of mountains, and vibrant green trees. As the sun sets, gradients of red and orange paint the sky; this dreamy sunset scenery makes visitors continuously click their camera shutters. In autumn and winter, a sea of clouds often rises over Guandaoshan, creating a scene of a 'celestial island in the clouds' that quickly spreads by word of mouth. From a slightly lower, open area to the left of the summit, you can find the triangulation point. For the return journey, you can descend the rope ladder railing from the southeast side of the summit to reach the southeast trailhead, then turn right onto the access road, connect back to the southwest trailhead, and follow the original path back.