Dakeng is Taichung’s best hiking destination and it’s only few kilometers outside the city.
Dakeng 大坑 is a hilly area that has a good selection of short hiking trails which lead to a series of wooden lookouts perched on a ridge at around 800 meters. Some of the trails in Dakeng are really, really steep and are not for the faint-hearted, especially trails#2,3, and 4.
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You won’t be alone hiking in Dakeng!
On weekends, the entire area is crammed with tourists who come from the city. It’s not uncommon to see groups carrying heavy cooking gear and backpacks filled with food (shrimps, watermelons, jugs of gaoliang, bags of rice) all the way to the lookouts and cook for all the other hikers who will pass on the ridge. I love these Taiwanese picnics – when I don’t have to carry anything…
The 10 trails of Dakeng
The trails are numbered from 1 to 10 and have different starting points. All the paths are man-made and range from dead flat to near vertical. The steepest parts aren’t too dangerous though, as there are ropes and wooden rails to hang on to.
Trail #1 to #4 are the longest and steepest ones. To get there from Taichung, drive east on Wenxin Rd until it becomes Dongshan Rd. Keep driving all the way to the roundabout with the big tree. Turn right on Hengkeng Lane and follow the hiking or campground sign.
Trail #5 is on the highest ridge and it connects the four previous ones. This is where you’ll find the lookouts.
Trail #6 to #10 are short, not-too-steep walking paths right at the entrance of Dakeng Scenic Area. The tracks take you through thick forests, and stay at lower elevation. When you’re coming on Dongshan Rd, look for a cemetery on your left, just before the big traffic circle. The trails are right behind.
Most Popular Trails in Dakeng
Trail #6 to #10 are the most popular because they are the closest to the city. For that reason, they can get very, VERY crowded on weekends. I personally never go there on weekends, I prefer hiking during the week when there’s only a few other walkers.
The trails in this area can be done in loops which can be walked in about one hour. For example, going up trail #6 and back down #7 takes about 1 hour. The elevation gain is about 150m from bottom to top. The paths are man-made from either stones, cement, logs, or stairs.
My Personal Favorite Trail in Dakeng
According to my wife, I’m a boring person, because I always do the same things. At a certain restaurant, I’ll always order the same dishes. I’ve mostly worn the same type of clothes since she’s known me. I keep visiting the same countries… My habits are hard to break is what I’m saying.
Same when it comes to hiking in Dakeng; I’ve been doing the same loop since 2000. I go up trail #4, and down #3. This steep and intense trip takes me about 2.5 hours to complete. Total distance is 6.36km and ascent is 446m. The trailhead for #4 is at Zhong Zheng Campground 中正露營區.
Monkeys in Dakeng
There are tons of monkeys in the Dakeng area. You’ll see and hear them climbing and jumping around the canopy above the trails. My advice is to ignore them and keep your distances. Monkeys are tricky and they simply don’t have your best interest at heart. They are cute until they jump on your head and try to steal your backpack or hit you with something.
Camping in Dakeng
Chung Cheng Campsite is the closest public campground you’ll find around Taichung. Locals gather here on weekends to have late barbecues, so you’ll want to bring earplugs if you’re not gonna join them for a bite or a sip. The campground is right at the entrance of trail #4 and is easy to find.
You can rent tents there, but they’re old, dirty and probably missing few poles. Better to bring your own. There’s showers, toilets, and an area where you can build a campfire.
Price is 60NT$ per person to camp.
Tel: (04) 2239-0685
Address: Beikeng Lane, Beitun District, Taichung
Taichung Sun Hot Spring 台中日光溫泉
This hot spring resort pumps natural spring water into luxurious rooms and outside public pools. You can also use their modern spa facilities and a small gym. It’s an absolutely perfect place to relax your muscles after a long hike.
To get there, keep your left at the roundabout and look for a hot spring sign. It’s about 5 minutes past that point. Can’t remember how much it was, sorry.
Taichung The Sun Hot Spring and Resort 台中日光溫泉會館
Tel: (04) 2239-9000
Address: 78 Guangxi Lane, Beitun District, Taichung
More hiking spots in the Taichung area
Another nice hiking area you might like is the Sun Moon Farm to Baguashan country road in Changhua County. It’s also pretty close to Taichung City.
Sanding Mountain, in nearby Taiping District, is one of the Little 100 Peaks of Taiwan. The view over Taichung City and Taiping is very nice from the summit at 486m.
Also, make sure you have a look at the other trails I introduce in my Hiking in Taiwan Travel Guide.