Dakeng Hiking Trails 大坑登山步道

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The most popular hiking trails in Taichung City are in the Dakeng Scenic Area, and these are numbered #1-10. This blog will take you through hiking trail #6. These trails are relatively easy and have some great views of eastern Taichung City and the surrounding mountains. 

Background:
Dakeng Scenic Area is a well maintained hiking area with ten main hiking trails. Trails #1-5 are more difficult and harder to get to, and trails #6-10 are easier and more accessible via public transportation. All of these trails are somewhat interconnected and traverse the hills in eastern Beitun District of Taichung City, and have great views of the city and surrounding mountain scenery.
These trails are especially popular with Taichung City residents on the weekends. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Trail #6 Difficulty:
Trail #6 is an easy-moderate hike and takes about 2-3 hours.
The trail is 1.6 km long one way and reaches about 200 meters of elevation gain. 

How to get there:
​By Car/Scooter: Take Dongshan Road East out of Taichung, then turn left under Highway 74. You will then need to turn right on Jiancheng Alley (建成巷) and keep going up the mountain until you reach the parking lot. 
By bus: Take Central Taiwan Bus 1 east from Taiuchung, then get off at Dongshan Songzhu Rd. Intersection, then walk about half an hour north to the trail head. 

​Map: Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Dakeng dozens of times when I lived there ten years ago, but I don't have many photos except from trail #6. It can get really busy on weekends and really hot in the summer, so the best time to go is on a weekday from November to April. 

“Hiking Path VI Difficulty one star, popularized hiking path"
​"It is 1,650 meters long, located at Fongdongshih Forest Park in the northern Mountain area of Zhongyongliao. At the mid of the path is a Guan Yin pavilion, where free breakfast is offered until 8:30 AM each morning. The pavilion overlooks Taichung City. Fongdongshih is a huge rock at the end of the northern Ta Shan Mu mountains branch crest line, sitting on the borderline of Taichung City and Tanzih Township. It is the northernmost point of Taichung City, 364 meter above sea level. The rock is about two changs long (3.3 meters). It stands on the edge of a cliff and provides a breathtaking view. On the rock is a small stone that moves when the wind blows, creating a remarkable spectacle. This is the origin of the name Fonddongshih, literally wind-moved rock. Standing there, one can see Taichung Basin, Tanzih, and Dadu Mountain, all beautiful spots."

Fruits and vegetables being sold at the start of the trail. 

The start of the trail is actually a paved road. 

The trail quickly cuts into the forest and you begin walking on boardwalks. 

View of some mountain villas and suburbs in Dakeng. 

Another boardwalk with almost no sun protection. 

More stairs through the forest.

View of Tanzi District and northeast Taichung. 

Another view from the same spot. Lots of haze that day.

Rotten steps that are now closed off. 

Wind Blown Rock (fengdongshi) 風動石

The main attraction on this trail is the giant boulder that is bolted to the mountain. It was the northernmost point of the former Taichung City before it merged with Taichung County in 2010.

Here is a prime instagram location. You can see in the middle of the boulder a small hole where the rock has been blown into over hundreds of years. 

Don't drive your car off a cliff here. 

There are lots more amazing views and places to discover in the mountains of Dakeng, especially when the weather is clearer. Get our there and discover it for yourself!

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