Manapan Mountain Hiking Trail

Manapan Mountain, situated at the junction of Dahu Township and Tai'an Township, stands at an elevation of 1406 meters. It is perennially shrouded in mist, and its majestic sea of clouds is a truly spectacular sight. The section around the Old Battlefield Monument is one of Taiwan's most famous spots for viewing autumn foliage. Every autumn, the mountains are ablaze with red maple leaves, attracting a continuous stream of visitors eager to admire the fall colors. It is renowned as the "Northern Ma" (Manapan Mountain), complementing "Southern Ou" (Aowanda) for its stunning autumn scenery. There are three routes to ascend Manapan Mountain: the "Dongxing Tianranhu (Natural Lake) Route," the "Dongxing Shanghu (Upper Lake) Route," and the "Dongxing Zhuhu (Pearl Lake) Route." [Dongxing Tianranhu (Natural Lake) Route]: Trailhead - Tianranhu (Natural Lake) - Beech Forest - Great Rock Wall - Manapan Mountain. Along the Tianranhu route, you'll find a strawberry farm, with sweet, ripe strawberries ready for harvest from December to February each year. Next to Tianranhu, a lush beech forest thrives. After passing the Great Rock Wall, you can reach the summit of Manapan Mountain. [Dongxing Zhuhu (Pearl Lake) Route]: Changqiao Lion Pavilion (Trailhead) - Fork - Old Battlefield - Stone Gate - Manapan Mountain. The best section for viewing maple leaves is between Stone Gate and the Old Battlefield Monument. You can walk along an arced path through a straight bamboo forest, pass through Tiandiao Cave (home of bats), or take the Zhuhu Route, which preserves the most pristine original forest—both offering beautiful views of the red maples. Stone Gate and the Old Battlefield bear witness to the heroic resistance of the Atayal people against the Japanese, recounting past history. Upon reaching the summit, the magnificent Holy Ridge undulating between Xueshan (Snow Mountain) and Dabajianshan (Daba Mountain) unfolds before your eyes. From this elevated vantage point, watching the sea of clouds churn is a truly spectacular sight. The expansive mountain forest panorama stretches out, leaving every visitor in awe!