Dakeng Trail No.9-1 — Attraction in Taichung

This trail is one I remember hiking with my family when I was a kid. From the parking lot you walk past plenty of food stalls, and along Trail No. 9 you’ll find lots of vendors selling snacks. My top picks are the fish balls and the pizza buns.

Trails 9 and 10 are quite friendly for beginners. The start is a little steep, but it levels out as you go. When I was small it felt exhausting, but after getting into fitness my cardio improved and now I can hike it without getting winded. It’s perfect for couples or families to enjoy together.

The smaller the trail number, the more challenging it gets, so if you have the energy you can continue onto other trails. On the way back you can stop by the farmers’ market to pick up fresh produce for cooking at home, tasty and...

The challenge of the climb and the view at certain points along the Dakeng Trail are incredible. I really loved the view and the sense of serenity with all the bamboo trees surrounding you when you're taking a breather. There are also some flowers and unique plants that add a splash of contrast to the greenery along the way.

I went just after CNY and it was occasionally very dense. I'm not sure if the trail gets that busy on a regular day, but it felt a little precarious what with people either moving around or overtaking one another on a completely full (crowded!) set of stairs. Other than that, it was a largely positive experience.

Would not recommend for anyone...

A nice hiking trail with clear maps of the trails and distance post (milestone). The trail is mostly paved. Lots of stairs so it may be challenging if you are not fit. There are many stalls with various merchandise from fruit and vegetables to art, located mostly at the beginning of the trail. A free parking lot is available at the beginning of the trail. Note that as of the time of this review trail #10 is closed. To make a loop take trail 9-1 and return...