Dakeng is a unique and beautiful trail in Taichung City, Taiwan. There are 10 trails on the mountain. Trails 1 to 5 are more difficult, and DaKeng No.4 Hiking Trails is the most difficult trail. The main part of the trailer is built by wood-sticks Suspend on the slope. It's challenging for all true adventurers.

 

Dakeng trails are divided into: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5-1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9-1, 10, a total of 12, the following table lists three levels for your reference.

Difficulty	Trails
Beginner	6、7、8、9、9-1、10
Intermediate	1、3、5
Advanced	4、2

 

Quick Overview

This time I experienced the Dakeng No. 4 trail, which is the most difficult because there is a 300-meter-long, nearly vertical steep slope that is nicknamed the "soft foot slope". From a distance, it looks a bit like the "Great Wall of China", but it still uses logs. The wooden plank road built is a test of physical strength, foot strength and willpower! However, the view of the trail is superb, you can overlook the scenery of Taichung City. With so many elements, how can the orange series not challenge it! After walking up to the Triangular Point of Touoshan Mountain, if you feel that you are still not enough, you can go down the mountain to go home after taking the No. 5 trail to relax.

Altitude: 859 meters ｜ Approximately 1.9 kilometers in length  | Time: 3 hours

 

How to get there

1. Those who drive by themselves, please navigate to the parking lot of Zhongzheng Camping Area

But here is the demand of campers, there are a lot of people who come to climb the mountain, the number of parking spaces is not as large as the parking lot of the replenishment, and it is more likely that there will be no parking spaces on holidays. As an old saying goes, you can arrive early and climb the mountain. You won’t get dizzy from the sun! The orange book also reminds everyone not to park your car on the side of the industrial road, because the road here is not wide. If you stop again, it will be difficult for farmers who cultivate and harvest crops to go up and down the mountain. Don't be tempted to get a car. I'm bored! Then look for the white line on the side of the road to see if it is possible to stop.

Parking：Google Map

2. Bus: As there is no direct bus access to Trail 4, you can take the bus route below, get off at Dakeng Circle Station, then transfer to Taichung Bus Line 66 (Dakeng Loop) and get off at Zhongzheng Camping Station. 15 minutes to the mountain pass.

Bus routes with Dakeng Circle Station: Taichung Bus 15, Tonglian Bus 85, Zhonglu Bus 21, Sifang Electric Bus 68, 922, Fengyuan Bus 51, 270, 271, 276, 277

 

 

Before you go, you should know..

There are many small black mosquitoes in Dakeng District

Don’t forget, in addition to the mosquitoes that usually appear in the woods, the Dakeng mountain area is also a place where small black mosquitoes are frequent. Remember to bring mosquito repellent or wear thin long sleeves and long sleeves, otherwise you will be bitten. I have to cry my father and my mother! (Orange made 22 bags in less than 10 minutes... scratched and cracked...)

Wearing hiking shoes or sneakers

Remember to choose shoes with harder soles, so as not to get sore feet and calves after walking the log plank.

Don't wear brightly colored clothes

Because there are many fruit trees in this area (citrus, longan, lychee, etc.), honeycombs and monkeys are often seen. In order to avoid being stung by bees, please don't spray perfume before climbing, and don't wear brightly colored clothes, and don't actively provoke or make loud noises or commotions. Please keep a distance from the beehive for safety; don't think monkeys are cute. And feeding, they may attack people and grab food! (Plus code: Remember to stay away from the fruit tree in the summer. Jubian has seen the whole tree trunk full of caterpillars...)

Warm up before leaving

The beginning of the trail is to step on the log steeply, and warm your lower body to do your feet (especially the ankles) to avoid injury.

 

We set off from the management station of the Zhongzheng Camping Area, which is also very close to the firefly rehabilitation area. Before boarding, we can go to the toilet here and get dressed up by the way. After passing the Changqing Bridge below, you will see the hiking trail of Dakeng No. 4 Trail.

 

 

Dakeng No. 4 trail is a wooden plank road composed of round logs from beginning to end. You need to pay attention to every step you step on so that you will not enter the pit. Jubian thinks this is also a good life perspective! Step on this step firmly, and then move forward step by step, focusing on each moment, the goal will be reached without knowing it! Having said that, the intervals between the log plank roads are dense and sometimes sparse, so be careful and step on the empty space!

Join us to challenge the lovely friends on the 4th trail (really good leg strength)

 

Note: There are a lot of agricultural products in Dakeng Mountain, and there are also many monkeys. Be careful when you rest and eat on the mountain! Please don't take the initiative to feed the monkeys. On the one hand, you must also be careful about being attacked by holding food in your hands.

 

At the end of the fall and the beginning of the winter every year, when climbing the mountain, you will always encounter the romantic maple red. It doesn't take long to see the beautiful red leaves by your side!

 

If you are afraid that your feet will not be able to climb up, you can wear a pair of work gloves, and then you can use your hands to help you climb up on the rope or handrail.

(Because the wood and rope are rough, you may get injured if you don’t wear gloves.)

 

The outlook on the top of the mountain is very good, and there are many pavilions along the way to rest and make tea and chat. After enjoying the scenery, Tachibana will go down the mountain and go home~ Pay more attention to the steps on the way down the mountain.

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Because only part of the sole of the foot can be stepped on the log trail, the frequently touched part will be very painful. If the sole of the shoe is not hard, there is no way to effectively support it, and it will be very uncomfortable! So choose your shoes before you go, if you can wear hiking shoes is the best.

 

However, there are many pavilions where you can rest along the way, you can bring some snacks and water, take a break when you are tired, watch the scenery and replenish your energy, and then go on. The Taichung City Government has also planned several public toilets for everyone to use. For tourists, it is a complete recreation area, suitable for families to relax after a holiday afternoon. After going down the mountain, come to a bowl of nearby famous "Dongdong Taro Balls" or "Old Taro Taro Balls", it's the best! Fatigue was wiped out immediately! If you still have time after going down the mountain, there is a farmer’s market nearby, where you can buy the freshest agricultural products (such as green bamboo shoots and lychees in summer) and go home; if you want to eat delicious food, there are also many meals in Dakeng. , Dessert shop, it is really a trail where you can eat and play, and you can harvest a lot in one day!

 

 

What to eat/drink after a hike?

After climbing the mountain, a bowl of taro ice or bean curd ice will quench your thirst and cool off the heat! The geographical locations of the four major dessert shops are as follows:

 

1.老芋仔芋圓 (lǎo yù zī yù yuán)

It is not so much selling taro balls, as it is a taro dessert specialty store! Whether it's taro milk, taro sago or honey taro, everything is great! It is a place suitable for severe "taro control". Especially the honey taro, when eaten in the mouth, it is dense, soft and slightly Q, the taste changes a lot, and finally it melts in the mouth, which is great! (More local people buy old taro taro balls, and the orange-made mouth is also captured by this company.) Photo source：吃貨蘇珊IG

Must try：芋圓綜合冰$50、大甲冷凍芋冰$55、芋頭西米露$40

Location：Google Map

 

2.東東芋圓 (dong dong yù yuán)

They tend to prefer general desserts and bean curd shops, where the ingredients are more diverse. The taro balls themselves are relatively large. If you want to bite into different ingredients, it may be a bit laborious. It is suitable for people who want to eat "comprehensive" desserts. (Photo source：獵食者 MaD Food HunterIG)

Must try：仙草伍號$55

Location：Google Map

3.囍多多 (sǐ duo duo)

Don’t worry if you don’t have taro ball sweet potato round pie, taro control, or ant man! Then this "囍 Duo Duo", which specializes in soy milk, tofu and rice dumplings, is another choice! Using soy milk instead of sugar water, you can not only taste the aroma of soybeans, but also taste the soft taste of tofu, and the taste is not sweet (soy milk can be sugar-free); there are also good wines for the body, which can be ordered in summer. Drink fermented smoothies, and if you come to a bowl of fermented dumplings in winter, your body will feel warm and happy! If you like fermented rice or glutinous rice balls, the store also sells them separately, so you can take them home and cook them yourself.（Photo source：囍多多東西工坊FB)

Must try：三種料豆花＋豆漿$45、桂花蜜原味酒釀小湯圓$45

Location：Google Map

 

4.新凍嫩仙草 (sin dòng nèn sian cǎo)

This is a traditional old-fashioned grass jelly specialty store. The grass is smooth and has a natural wood burning fragrance. It is not sweet or greasy. The handmade taro balls and sweet potato balls are made of real materials. After climbing the mountain, come to a bowl, refreshing and unburdened. (The fairy grass in the store is refrigerated without ice cubes!)  (Photo source：chen.wei.wang IG)

Must try：綜合嫩仙草$35

Location：Google Map

 

 

The best thing is that these four shops are all nearby. You can park your car and walk slowly to choose which one to eat (remember that the red line will not stop randomly, you will be reported and billed). If you want to eat all three at once , On behalf of the store and Taichung City, the orange series thank you for promoting economic development!