Wuzhi Mountain Range_Egret Mountain_Kangle Mountain_Mingju Mountain Hiking Trail

Egret Mountain, Kangle Mountain, and Mingju Mountain are nestled amidst Dahu Park and ancient trees, forming three interconnected hiking trails. These trails are popular spots for residents of Neihu District to exercise, stay fit, and gather. The Egret Mountain Hiking Trail, located next to Dahu Park in Neihu, is also known as the 'Fifty Bends Trail' due to its numerous twists and turns as it winds its way up. Hikers often lose their sense of direction halfway through, making a compass quite useful. The valley of the Egret Mountain Hiking Trail boasts a rich variety of ancient ferns, such as Cyathea spinulosa and Angiopteris evecta. Other trees like Acacia confusa and Schefflera octophylla also thrive, robust and healthy, releasing refreshing phytoncides that uplift the spirit. The Kangle Mountain Hiking Trail begins next to Huangshigong Temple on Section 5 of Chenggong Road in Neihu. The trail is shaded by a canopy of trees and enjoys cool breezes, making it a favorite route for morning exercisers. The highest point of the trail offers the best panoramic views of Dahu Park. Along the way, an olive tree and a large banyan tree are undoubtedly major landmarks, especially the latter. This ancient banyan, with a trunk circumference of 4 meters, boasts lush foliage and vibrant greenery, earning it the local nickname 'Banyan Patriarch Sacred Tree'. The Mingju Mountain Hiking Trail retains more of its original forest appearance. Along the path are three large Ficus altissima trees with circumferences similar to Kangle Mountain's 'Banyan Patriarch Sacred Tree', earning them the moniker 'Three Giants'. This narrow mountain path has a strong rustic charm. Hikers exploring the Mingju Mountain Hiking Trail often combine it with the aforementioned Egret Mountain and Kangle Mountain Hiking Trails. Walking the entire Mingju Mountain trail leads directly to the Neigou Ecological Exhibition Hall, making a visit to the museum a perfect holiday leisure activity. Experience the joy of primeval forests! How about an adventurous hike this weekend? Start from Egret Mountain; the trailhead is a small path. Perhaps due to its proximity to the city, after bypassing a waste disposal area and vegetable patches, a mix of lingering scents fills the air, and the anticipation of refreshing phytoncides arises. The Egret Mountain Trail, also known as the 'Fifty Bends Trail,' winds leisurely upwards along gentle steps, but with so many twists and turns, hikers often lose their sense of direction halfway through. Nevertheless, you're sure to discover the unique sight of deadwood, often in various postures, along the path. Most of these are Macaranga tanarius, which commonly appear in these woods. However, such a large number of Macaranga tanarius is not common in the natural remnants of forests near Taipei. Ancient ferns in the valley, like Cyathea spinulosa and Angiopteris evecta, also soar to one or two stories high—a forest type rarely seen in the Neihu area. Heading towards the southern slope, you can also find robust Acacia confusa and Schefflera octophylla trees, with trunks wide enough for a single person to embrace. The tall trees emit refreshing phytoncides, making one feel invigorated and rejuvenated, as if drawing considerable energy from the mountains and forests. Visiting Ancient Trees: Not to be outshone by Egret Mountain, Kangle Mountain and Mingju Mountain also boast ancient trees, many of which are remarkably robust. The Kangle Mountain trail is home to Taipei City's largest olive tree. This centenarian 'tree elder,' with a circumference of nearly 300 cm, stands resiliently along the uphill concrete path, next to the ruins of Shanhai Temple. It is said that the temple, being an illegal structure, could not escape demolition, but for a hundred years, the old olive tree has withstood countless storms, remaining evergreen and as sturdy as ever. Bidding farewell to the old olive tree, the concrete path gives way to rustic tree roots and a dirt trail. Midway through the serene and tranquil forest, you'll pass a large, lush banyan tree. Such a venerable presence naturally makes it a landmark of the Kangle Mountain trail, and locals even call it a 'sacred tree'. As the name suggests, this 'Banyan Patriarch' with a circumference of about four meters is certainly a member of the long-lived. Further along the trail on Mingju Mountain, there is also a large Ficus altissima tree with a circumference comparable to Kangle Mountain's 'Sacred Tree.' This narrow mountain path, rich in rural charm, features two other large banyan trees not far from the entrance and midway through. Although their ages are unknown, these 'Three Giants' are important scenic attractions along this section where the views are less expansive. The beauty of the lakes and mountains: The Wuzhi Mountain Range is located northeast of the Taipei Basin, serving as a transitional zone in terms of both terrain and climate. It is the exit point where monsoons enter the plains via the Keelung River valley, and also an outpost for the surrounding vast mountains leading into the lowlands. This convergence of two ecological characteristics results in a particularly rich diversity of species, explaining why these three hills, though not tall, boast serene environments and lush forests. Kangle Mountain is only half the height of Egret Mountain, but perhaps distance creates beauty; while Dahu Park lies at the foot of Egret Mountain, the highest point of Kangle Mountain trail offers the best spot to admire Dahu Park. The platform at the summit of Egret Mountain, besides offering views of nearby Dahu Park and the Wuzhi Mountain Range, also provides distant vistas of Xizhi and Keelung. Nearby, there is a simple shack with a pebble path beside it, and the ground is untended loess, starkly contrasting with the neat stone steps of the trails before and after. However, Egret Mountain features its first resting pavilion at the very first bend of the 'Fifty Bends,' unlike Kangle Mountain where the 'Shanshui Pavilion' for rest is only found at the end of the trail. Since the two trail sections are not vastly different in length, and both summits offer places to rest, the resting spots are actually sufficient. As for the Mingju Mountain trail, which is inherently narrower, walking it all the way to the exit leads directly to the bank of the Neigou Stream, where the sound of the babbling stream washes away fatigue, providing even greater comfort and relaxation.