On this trail, we learned two things: Don’t listen when someone over fifty says something is dangerous, and knife-edged ridges make for great photo opportunities. This beautiful little hike is an easy trip from Taipei. It’s, also, quite different from other trails as it isn’t made of nice, neat steps that kill the tread on your hiking shoes. You’ll actually get a little dirty and have some fun. At various points along the way, you even get to play with ropes. These are quite handy when you’re climbing down the rocks backward. Along with being a fun hike, the ridges provide a great chance for some additional off the trail climbing and sliding. Also, the view is amazing. Yes, there are some power lines in the way, but on a clear day you can see Taipei 101 from the ridge.
As the name suggests, there is a lake, but it is not the highlight of this trip. In fact, people who visit just for the lake will be sorely disappointed. Surrounded by trees, it makes for a very scenic spot for a post-hike picnic. However, it’s very small and really not at all impressive, except for its color, which is a beautiful aquamarine blue. The main attraction of this trip is actually the Xin Mountain hiking trail and its many ridges. There are quite a few along the trail. As soon as you think you’ve seen the last one, another one will crop up. At one point, the trail even goes over the edge of a ridge and it looks like the hikers before you just fell off the mountain.
The Xin Mountain trail is a loop that starts and ends at Dream Lake. You’ll see the path for it as you approach the lake. In size, it’s about 3 km and will take roughly two to three hours to complete, depending on how often you stop for pictures or wander off the trial. There are some bathrooms and a café next to the lake, which are definitely open on the weekends. I can’t promise whether or not they’re open during the week and it doesn’t really matter, as its way better to pack some sandwiches and picnic on the ridge anyway.
In addition to food, it’s also important to pack sun protection. A hat, jacket, sunscreen or combination of the three will help keep the sun from subtracting a few years off your life. The bald ridges leave people completely exposed and you really need something to keep from turning into a piece of bacon. This should go without saying, but a smart person would wear good shoes and long pants as well. I’m not always smart, but you should be.
Getting Around
To get to the lake and the trail head, take a local train from Taipei Main Station to Xizhi Station. The trains are frequent and you can use an easy card to hop on and off as you please. There is absolutely no need to worry about getting tickets in advance. From Xizhi Station, grab a taxi to the lake. Split between two to four people, this should be fairly cheap. There is a free bus, but it stops about an hour’s walk away from the lake. From experience, I can tell you that it’s a pleasant, straight-forward walk, especially with good company, but I don’t recommend it. The bus only runs once an hour and has an unpredictable schedule.
However, if you’re feeling extra adventurous and want to give it a try, it’s bus 910. You catch it right outside of Xizhi Station. Get off at the stop for Menghu Park and start walking. Menghu translates to Meng Lake. (Just like Xinshan means Xin Mountain.) This is what you want. Just keep following the signs up the road. You basically stay on the same road the whole time. There’s no turn and do not be tempted by the gold lions; that is not the trial.
Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
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