Antong Historic Trail: Discovering the Realm of a Century-Old Path

For trail opening information, please refer to the [Latest News] section of the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture. To reach the western entrance of the Antong Historic Trail, take the industrial road turn-off at Fuxiang Bridge at the 23.5 km mark of Provincial Highway 30, and follow the signs for 4.2 km to arrive at the trail entrance. The Antong Historic Trail starts from Antong Hot Spring Area in Yuli Township, Hualien County, and ends at Zhuhu Village in Changbin Township, Taitung County. It is the first trail to traverse the Huadong Coastal Mountain Range. Along the way, it offers not only rich ecological landscapes but also profound historical significance, allowing hikers to recall past scenery and discover the footsteps of their predecessors. With a century of history, the Antong Historic Trail offers winding paths through seclusion. This trail, with over a hundred years of history, was originally developed during the Qing Dynasty by Governor Wu Guang-liang as part of the 'mountain development and pacification of indigenous peoples' policy. From the Qing Dynasty to the Japanese Colonial Period, this ancient trail served various purposes: it was a kinship route for marriages between the Amis and Pingpu tribes, a missionary route for spreading Christian doctrines into the mountainous interior, and a transportation route for residents to smuggle fish and tobacco, evading Japanese police inspections. After the 1970s, with the opening of Ruigang, Dongfu, and Yuchang Highways, the Antong Historic Trail gradually lost its function of traversing the Coastal Mountain Range and fell into disuse. In recent years, with the rise of the tourism industry, the trail, rich in natural resources and cultural-historical value, saw its western section (approximately 2 km long) renovated by the Forestry Bureau in 2008. The Antong Historic Trail was thus reintroduced to the public, becoming a hiking route in southern Hualien brimming with cultural and ecological beauty. The eastern section of the trail was opened in 2016. Surrounded by forests, the trail offers views of mountains and sea. The trail is divided into western and eastern sections, with a total length of 13 kilometers. Most hikers start from the western entrance. Along the way, the trail passes through lush, shaded primary forest, with wooden boardwalks guiding visitors to explore the beautiful scenery of the ancient path. The trail features two observation decks. From the decks, one can overlook the serene Pacific Ocean to the east and the sprawling, crisscrossed Huadong Valley to the west. The second observation deck marks the end of the western section. From here, hikers can choose to turn back and return via the same path, or continue towards the eastern section. However, compared to the gentle western section, the eastern section has steep slopes, and some parts require ropes to proceed, making it very challenging. Following in the footsteps of predecessors to discover the historical traces of the Antong Historic Trail, hikers can experience the towering ancient trees and preserved pristine natural scenery along the winding paths. It's an ideal place for hikers to stroll and appreciate the quiet, dense forest, finding tranquility amidst its peaceful lushness.