Travel blog

In the previous articles, I just finished introducing the "Malabang Mountain Maple Viewing Day Tour" in Miaoli, and I have received many inquiries from mountain friends. If you are still waiting to see where to go for maple viewing, please keep reading, because this time the orange editor I want to introduce a national-level maple viewing route, which is the "Xia Kaluo Ancient Road" in Hsinchu. In addition to the romantic and dreamy red-orange maple leaves, the ruins and scenery along each section of the ancient road are even more memorable.

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About Xia Karo Trail

Altitude: 1600-1900 meters, about 20 kilometers in length

Difficulty: ●●○○○ ｜ Round trip about 6.5 hours

The "Xia Kaluo Ancient Road" spanning Wufeng Township and Jianshi Township in Hsinchu County was originally 49.2 kilometers long. After renovation and widening, there are only 22 kilometers left. It takes a long time to hike, but the entrances and exits can be adjusted by foot The route is gentle and easy to walk along with the trees on both sides of the route. In addition to the maple leaf season in autumn and winter, the summer weather is cool and pleasant. It is a very suitable route throughout the year.

Transportation (Parking lot at the Yoro-Climbing Pass)

1. 1. By car (from Taipei): Take National Highway No. 3 and Zhongfeng Highway/Neishan Highway/Taiwan No. 3 to Zhongshan Street Section/County Highway 120 in Hengshan Township. Take Zhu 60 Township Road and Xiulan Road to Jin Road in Jianshi Township to the Senior Care Connection Road, and you will arrive at the Senior Climbing Pass.

(Special note: From October 21, 109 to February 28, 110, the parking lot closest to the mountain pass will be temporarily closed due to construction.)

2. Chartered car (departing from residence): order the chartered car service on the official website of Orange Cat Travel Charter before departure, and then you can depart from your residence directly to your destination at the specified time.

Preparation before departure

1. Rain boots or hiking shoes that are waterproof and have good grip

2. Comfortable sweat-wicking underwear

3. Two-piece raincoats and other rainproof products

4. Water (it is recommended to prepare at least 1000CC or more)

5. Trekking poles

6. Action food (it is recommended to bring food that is not perishable and easy to eat)

7. Confirm the climate (Central Meteorological Bureau: https://ubin.io/2Us1zR)

8. Simple physical training (this route takes a long time to walk, and it is recommended that you develop a habit of exercising at least 30 minutes a day on weekdays to keep your body in a state of being used to exercise)

9. Sufficient sleep

Hiking route

This time we went to the beginning of December 2020. The route was the best maple and the most luxuriant section of the maple leaves. The distance between "Yoyang Mountain Pass-Wushen Station" is about 12 kilometers and the whole journey is about 6.5 hours. (The maple leaves may change according to the season, please refer to the actual flower status):

At 9:30 in the morning, I arrived at the mountain climbing entrance of the pension. While waiting for the group members to gather, while watching the introduction of the tribe, I shared a paragraph with everyone: "Come to the trail entrance at an altitude of about 1240 meters, and then enter the mountain or stay in memory. In the past, or respecting the body and the heart, it was an indescribable special experience of walking Xia Kaluo." The other content is left for everyone to chew on the spot.

After entering the trail, it is mostly gentle and primitive dirt roads. It is good to walk without too steep slopes, but if it rains or wet roads will become terrible muddy, it is very easy to slip and walk, so I really recommend that everyone wear waterproof and Rain boots or hiking shoes with good grip and trekking poles will have the strength and mood to enjoy the flowers leisurely.

When you come to 19K, you will first see the "charcoal kiln" commentary. We have seen traces of charcoal kilns on other ancient roads. These pits are actually the kilns used for smoldering in the early days of making charcoal. In fact, they can still be clearly seen. You can take a closer look at the parts left over at that time.

After walking for about 15 minutes, you will arrive at the "Liyuan Station Ruins". It is also a dreamy section of the Xiakaruo Ancient Road that the group members agreed, because the narrow dirt road is surrounded by a large dense bamboo forest of Mengzong. Even the sky is almost obscured by the bamboo forest.

On the way from Liyuan to the place where the god of war is, it is the most suitable section for maple viewing. From the trail to the distance, the maple trees on the entire hill have turned yellow, and the trail is also full of the most beautiful orange of maple leaves. Reluctant to go back for a long time. Whether it’s the ancient road experience, the bamboo forest wall, the whole maple tree, and the maple leaves at the feet, this one-day tour is a unique maple scene on the Xia Kolo Ancient Road. There are many places to enjoy maple in Taiwan, and it is difficult to compare which one. The trail is the most beautiful, but this maple viewing route is really worth a trip.

Orange Cat Intimate Reminder

This time the maple viewing route is relatively smooth and easy to walk. It is suitable for adults and children to challenge together. However, because it takes a long time to walk, it is recommended that everyone develop a good habit of hiking in order to enjoy the fun of hiking and the healing of maple leaves. Next year Let’s go up the mountain to chase the maple with the orange editor!

2020 Delegation Form: Taiwan's Exquisite Mountaineering and Hiking Tour

Suggested transportation: Taiwan customized charter service