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Maokong Tea and Hiking Trail Trip
Camphor Tree Trail
Following this pleasant trail, get a feel for Taiwan’s former, rustic farming life. With no steps and gently sloping terrain, it stretches 1.2 kilometers, passing by old, preserved rural pig sties, charcoal kilns, granaries, and century-old clay-brick farmhouses. Every year, after picking the winter teas, many farmers sprinkle lubing (dull-ice flower) seeds along the trail. The plants blossom from the end of February to April, the time to appreciate the beauty of lubing and tea trees flowering together.
Location: About a 10-minute walk from Maokong Station (Maokong Gondola)
Zhanghu Trail
With a total distance of around 2.5 kilometers, this trail runs almost parallel to the Camphor Tree Trail. The path keeps low on the hillside, and is shaped like a half moon. Entering from the “Tanyao Mountain Entrance” sign next to the Maokong Station (Maokong Gondola), you will see a sign indicating the direction of the Zhanghu Trail. The trail starts at Hanyuxuan. Because the path is relatively secluded, the scenery is delightful.
Location: About a 10-minute walk from Maokong Station (Maokong Gondola)
Zhinan Temple Maokong Hiking Trail
The center of Zhinan Temple Maokong Hiking Trail is Zhinan Temple, situated on Monkey Mountain at the northwest side of the Erge Mountain Range; it ultimately leads to Maokong, Zhanghu and the Erge Mountain area. Zhinan Temple Maokong Hiking Trail leads up stone steps from an entrance at Ln. 33, Sec. 3, Zhinan Road. Passing Zhinan Temple, Lingxiao Hall, Dacheng Hall, Dacheng Hall Trail, and the Tea Promotion Center Trail; it winds through many scenic spots, and is a hiking path for all the family to enjoy together.
Every year in May and June, Muzha holds a spring tea competition, which allows guests visiting Maokong to not only savor spring tea, but also appreciate the “May Snow”, as the blossoming of the tung flower (Chinese wood-oil tree) is known. In flower season, on Dacheng Hall Trail visitors can view snow-white tung flowers covering the ground, another beautiful Maokong scene.
Location: Trail entrance located at Ln. 33, Sec. 3, Zhinan Rd., Taipei City
Tea Fragrance Loop Trail
This path, along with the Tea Promotion Center Trail, Little Sky Trail, Health Trail and Pothole Trail, join together to form a high ring-shaped path. Along the path wonderful and diverse scenery can be seen, which includes century-old camphor trees, seas of cypress trees, terraced tea tree plantations, and pot holed river bed. In addition, the trail also features a sky walkway and triangular suspension bridge, the Tea Promotion Center and other leisure facilities, making it a great way to spend a day out.
Location: Take the Maokong Gondola to Maokong Station, and after getting off the gondola, turn left and walk along Ln. 38, Sec. 3, Zhinan Rd. to Tianen Temple. After walking about 20-25 minutes, the trail entrance can be found opposite the Tea Promotion Center.
Tea Promotion Center Trail
Beside the path, a stream, terraced fields, and tea plantations can all be enjoyed as well as views of the river basin, plants and animals. As you head towards the stream, you will arrive at the pothole area.
Location: The trail entrance is situated next to the Tea Promotion Center parking lot
Little Sky Trail
With a length of around 250 meters, this arc-shaped viewing platform offers a near-270-degree view, looking down over the beautiful Maokong Valley below. Even though it is situated next to a road, pedestrians and vehicles are separated for safety.
Location: The trail entrance is situated next to the Tea Promotion Center parking lot
Health Trail
After coming out from Maokong Station (Maokong Gondola), turn left and walk toward the Tea Promotion Center. The Health Trail entrance can be found opposite. Walking along the trail you can see wooden sculptures carved from recycled wooden planks; proceed along the trail and turn right at the intersection to reach the local center of worship, the Land God Temple. Follow the Tea Promotion Center Trail at the side down to view the potholes in the stream, a natural work of art.
Location: The trail entrance is situated opposite the Tea Promotion Center
Pothole Trail
Potholes are Maokong’s most distinctive natural attraction. The potholes in the rock of the stream-bed, created by the rushing waters, looked like cat-paw imprints to the area’s settlers. This spot is pronounced “niaokang” in Taiwanese, and “maokong” in Mandarin Chinese. The Pothole Trail is about 600 meters long, and follows a cascading creek with the sound of running water providing a simple and natural environment.
Location: Trail entrance is situated at Ln. 40, Sec. 3, Zhinan Rd. (Next to the Tea Promotion Center Trail)
Apricot Grove Leisure Farm
This was originally the private garden of a tea farmer, who in order to allow more visitors to enjoy the beauty of the apricot blossom, permitted people to enter the garden for free. Thousands of apricot trees, all of which were planted by hand by garden owner Mr. Zhang Ding-ding, flank paving stone walkways.
Add: 30, Ln. 45, Laoquan St., Taipei City
Tel: (02)2937-8959
Camphor Lake (Zhanghu) Nature Farm
Below the start of Zhangshu Trail, the sign for Camphor Lake (Zhanghu) Nature Farm can be seen. The farm’s tea fields line both sides of the trail. Various types of tea bush are grown organically. There is also a citizens' farm where people can enjoy the fun of taking home vegetables they have grown with their own hands. The farm also sells organic teas and vegetables.
Add: 29-1, Ln. 34, Sec. 3, Zhinan Rd., Taipei City
Tel: (02)2939-4341
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