Ruita Historic Trail

The Ruita Historic Trail connects Ruili Village to Taihe Village in Meishan Township, Chiayi County. Formerly known as the "Youha Forest Road," it was a well-known route linking Ruili and Taihe. The trail is 5.2 kilometers long, and a one-way hike takes approximately three hours. The starting point of the Ruita Historic Trail is next to Dingfeng Tea Farm in Luzicai Forest. Midway, between Moyoukeng (Grease Pit) and Huitouling (Turn-back Ridge), it splits into two sections, forming a loop trail. The section from Moyoukeng, via Yingxiongpo (Hero's Slope) and Mokushi Cave (Demon's Cave), to Huitouling is the original ancient path, built in the 1870s. This part of the trail is steeper, with over 300 stone steps uphill. Currently, the forest in this entire section consists mostly of bamboo, and the ecology is relatively monotonous. The section from Moyoukeng, via Wangtianya (Heaven-gazing Cliff), to Huitouling was rebuilt in 1931. This path is gentler, shaded by trees, making for an easy and pleasant walk. It also features more diverse forest scenery and richer ecology, with sightings of White-eared Sibia, Taiwan Yuhina, Large Scimitar-Babbler, Small Scimitar-Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, and Steere's Liocichla, making it the prime section for ecological observation on the Ruita Historic Trail. One of the trail's endpoints is 'Hutongdi' in Taihe Village. In addition to Moso bamboo forests and old-growth forests, the entire route offers seasonal delights such as plum, peach, Li (Japanese apricot/plum), and cherry blossoms. It is also home to over 100 species of ferns, boasting extremely rich flora and fauna. Attractions along the way include Wangyoulin (Forest of Forgetfulness), Giant Cinnamomum kanehirai Tree, Qibu Huiyingu (Seven-step Echo Valley), Yingxiongpo (Hero's Slope), Huitouling (Turn-back Ridge), and Wangtianya (Heaven-gazing Cliff).