Recently Sundays have become my default hiking days. Instead of going on the most famous trails which are basically paved stairways, I've been researching the hidden gems. I'm interested in more natural footpaths, various terrain, and anything that has different landscapes from the most common trails.
While the internet is a good resource for a few trails, the best resource by far for the most amazing trails is....grandmothers. While hiking is very popular in Taiwan, it seems to be most popular with seniors. It's common to see groups of old ladies on these trails pouncing around with the agility of mountain cats. Since they have been going a few times a week for decades, they also are always on the search for new and unique trails. As such, most of the best trails I have been on are truly secret ones that have been shown to me by friends who have asked their grandmothers. And on a few occasions I've been "fortunate" enough to go with their grandmothers and be humiliated by their superior stamina.
However the shame is worth it to be allowed into these secret clubs that go to the best trails. To maintain these trails and their beauty, there are some I'm not allowed to share the location of, however that doesn't stop me from taking pictures. The above trail was a very exciting part of a trail. It runs along the top of a mountain peak and is completely made of rocks, cutting through the surrounding trees.
But fear not. For my faithful readers, (all two of you), I shall provide a picture tomorrow which may just accidentally show how to get to this trail. Or I can just tell you where it is, blood oath be damned.
