Yilan's mountain trails are more than just hiking paths—they represent a living industrial history. From the Tea Horse Roads of the Qing Dynasty to the forestry railways of the Japanese colonial period, these winding paths along the edge of the Lanyang Plain bear witness to Yilan's century-long transformation from traditional agriculture to modern tourism.
Unlike the crowds at popular tourist spots, these ancient trails have largely retained their rustic character. Every step you take may be along the same path once traversed by porters, loggers, and tea farmers. This sense of history is something no newly constructed trail can replicate.
The Hiking Charm of Industrial Relics
What makes Yilan's mountain trails unique is that most were not originally developed for tourism. These routes once served the tea, forestry, and coal mining industries, which is why the trail design is quite practical—moderate slopes, ample water sources, and plenty of sheltered rest spots. For modern hikers, this has become an unexpected advantage.
Even more fascinating, many abandoned worker cabins and old tea factory ruins can be found along these ancient trails, not to mention concrete piers from the Japanese colonial period. These "ruins" tell better stories than any interpretive sign. The joy of discovery when you come across a moss-covered stone wall in the forest far exceeds the tick-box experience of a standard observation deck.
From a cultural and historical perspective, these trails connect Yilan's inland mountains with coastal areas, forming an economic network. What were once trade routes are now the best hiking paths.
Recommended Trails: Each Has a Story
Linmei Stone Pan Trail
This trail was originally an industrial road connecting Linmei Village to Jiaoxi. During the Japanese colonial period, there was small-scale stone quarrying here. The neatly laid stone steps in the middle of the trail weren't built in recent years—they were the old roadbed used by stone carts. Today, the walk is pleasant and relaxing, accompanied by the sound of stream water throughout. But if you look carefully, you can still find artificial marks left from stone cutting in the riverbed. The entire trail is about 2.5 km, suitable for families with children.
Matcha Mountain (Saint Mary's Trail)
Although it became famous as an Instagram hotspot, this trail's history dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Originally a branch of the ancient cross-mountain road connecting Yilan to Hualien, it became a logging path during the Japanese colonial period. The Saint Mary's Trail at the 4.2 km mark was originally a forestry工作站. The statue of the Virgin Mary, now a popular pilgrimage site, was actually built on the foundation of an abandoned worker cabin. The final 500 meters of steep slope before the summit was the "log sliding route" used to transport timber down the mountain.
Ancient Trails Around the Luodong Forestry Cultural Park
Many visitors only know about the exhibition halls inside the park, ignoring the logging trail network in the surrounding mountains. From the park's rear mountain, you can connect to multiple Japanese-era timber transport roads. These paths retain their original earthen surface, with giant tree stumps and abandoned cable installations visible along the way. The "Bamboo Grove Ancient Trail" segment is highly recommended—the 2 km gentle slope path is lined with decades of secondary forest, and in autumn and winter, the ground is covered with fallen leaves, creating a particularly atmospheric hiking experience.
Houdongken Waterfall Trail
This short trail of less than 1 km holds the final memories of Yilan's coal mining industry. The abandoned building group near the trail entrance is the site of a small coal mine that closed in the 1970s. The deep pool below the waterfall was once where miners took baths. Now, only concrete foundations and rusted rails remain, but that weathered beauty is more moving than any artificial landscape.
Xinliao Waterfall Trail
On the surface, it appears to be an approachable waterfall trail, but actually it's a section of a century-old tea industry ancient trail. During the Japanese colonial period, Assam tea was cultivated here, and wild tea trees can still be found along the trail today. Those seemingly random stone piles are actually the remains of tea-drying platforms built by tea farmers. The observation platform before the waterfall sits on the stone foundation of the old tea warehouse area. The entire trail is 1.5 km, but its cultural and historical value is extremely high.
Practical Information
Getting There
Most trail entrances can be reached by bus via the Taiwan Trip or county buses. Purchasing the "Yilan Bus Pass" (NT$150/day) is recommended, which includes unlimited rides on multiple routes. For self-driving, simply use Google Navigation to search for "XX Trail Parking Lot," but parking spaces are limited on weekends, so it's best to arrive before 8 AM.
Cost
All recommended trails are free to access. Some ancient trails require a park entry permit, which can be applied for online through the Yilan County Government website or by filling out a simple form on-site.
Opening Hours
Most trails are open all day, but it's recommended to hike from sunrise to sunset. The ancient trails around the Luodong Forestry Cultural Park follow the park's opening hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Insider Tips for Culture and History Enthusiasts
When hiking these ancient trails, don't just look at the scenery. Use your phone's flashlight function—there are often unexpected discoveries in the worker cabin ruins—old newspapers, tool fragments, or even graffiti left by workers from that era. These are all living witnesses to history.
It is recommended to use the "Yilan Ancient Trail Map" published by the Yilan Cultural Affairs Bureau, which contains detailed background information on industrial history. Additionally, the Luodong Cultural Factory regularly hosts ancient trail guided tours led by local cultural workers, where you can hear many oral histories not found in books.
The rainy season (May to September) is the best time to visit—the mountain vegetation is lush, and waterfall water volumes are at their peak, but be careful of slippery conditions. Although drier in winter, visibility is good, making it ideal for photographing ancient trail ruins. Remember to wear sturdy hiking boots—the stone steps on these old paths may not be as even as modern trails.
