Dakeng Scenic Area :: You need a bike to hike!

We found the Stairway to Heaven!

DaKeng scenic area was a wonderful surprise when we arrived in Taichung city. We had heard a lot about the hotsprings and mountain trails in Taiwan, but DaKeng surpassed any expectations that we had. It takes us about 15-20 minutes on motorcycle to get to the start of the trails. To this date, we have only conquered 2 of the 8 trails. The best part about Dakeng (and Taiwan as a whole) is that there seem to be no rules.
These trails are excellent. Hundreds and hundreds of wooden logs are wedged together to form gapped, helper-steps up the mountain. In some spots, you can see where logs had, at some point, collapsed down slippery mountain slopes. Not to fear however, as a new series of lumped logs has been placed over the disaster area... making it... more dangerous? Taiwan just screams "OPEN YOUR EYES! If you think something is dangerous, then turn back! If not, then you have no one to blame but yourself". It's a great concept: being obligated to your own safety.

The trails have different levels of difficulty, we have yet to tackle the most difficult. It is always a fantastic time once you finish a trail, because there is usually a big party happening at the trail end. We usually have several people eager to offer us a fishy treat or just willing to attempt an English conversation. I'm not sure if it is a stereotype in Canada or not... but it should be: People from Taiwan are the most kind and gentle people you will ever meet.

We hope that the pictures of DaKeng we have posted will do the area some justice. More soon about DaKeng. Apparently, there is someone named Boston Paul who has a music/art/book house in the area..... XPATS are known to cram his house and throw amazing musical sessions... we'll let you know.