[2025 Hsinchu County Attraction] Travel Guide for Smangus Giant Trees (Updated Jul)

If you ask me if Simakus is fun? My answer is: fun, but super tiring! This journey really made me deeply appreciate what the "power of persistence" means. I wanted to give up countless times along the way, but when I really reached my destination and saw the scenery in front of me, I really felt that it was all worth it! When I first started walking on the trail, I really thought it was okay, but the further I walked, the more I started to question life! There were many ups and downs along the way, and every step seemed to test my endurance. My feet were really sore, especially when I saw others walking so easily. I just wanted to shout in my heart: "What the hell am I doing!!" There were a few times when I really wanted to turn back, but every time I turned around and saw the magnificent scenery, I told myself in my heart: "Hold on a little longer, we should be there soon..." It’s no exaggeration. When I was halfway there, I began to think that this trail was so beautiful! Like the photos taken before a competition, the sky is so beautiful that it doesn’t seem real. Walk all the way to the end and look up, you will find that the trees on both sides are terrifyingly tall, and you can hardly see the treetops. The sunlight shines through the leaves, and the whole picture is so beautiful. The air is also super fresh, and it feels completely different to breathe! At that moment, I really felt that all the hard work along the way was worth it, because this kind of scenery can only be experienced by walking in it in person! Warm reminder: Preparation before departure is very important! • Remember to bring snacks! This journey really requires replenishing your energy. Eating some biscuits or chocolate can instantly fill you with energy! • Look on the ground before you drive off! There are often some beautifully carved wooden sticks near the trail entrance, which can be used as trekking poles. They are really useful! But remember to put it back when you go down the mountain so that the next person can use it. Surprise on the return trip: church & grilled sausages! When you come back from a hard walk, don’t rush to take a bus and leave. You can take a walk to the church next to it. It is super quiet there and makes people feel peaceful. There are also vendors selling grilled sausages near the church, which are really fragrant and delicious! After walking such a long way, having a grilled sausage is really healing. I instantly feel like I have recovered half of my strength! The trail in Simakus is really not easy, but as long as you keep going, the beautiful scenery along the way will really move you to tears! Every photo is incredibly beautiful, and at the end you can even have a grilled sausage next to the church, what a perfect ending! If you like challenges and love nature, this place is definitely worth a visit, but remember to bring some snacks and water, otherwise you will be so hungry that you want to cry! #Simacus

On the second day, after finishing breakfast, we set off for the Giant Tree Trail. Since we heard it might rain in the afternoon, we decided to start early. The trail is relatively easy to walk, offering stunning open views, but you still need to be cautious! Completing the entire trail takes about 4-5 hours. Thankfully, there are restrooms along the way for breaks! Make sure to bring enough water! There were quite a few people hiking the Giant Tree Trail, including small tour groups. After finishing the hike, we visited a bakery in the village to buy pizza and bread. The pizza was delicious! However, the scones were a bit too dense 😂😂😂 If I get the chance, I’ll definitely visit Smangus again!

The Simakus Giant Trees Trail is located deep in the mountains at an altitude of 1,600 meters. If you want to explore it, you can only do it on foot. The *Giant Trees Trail* is not to be missed in Simakus, and the Yaya Qparung, a tree that is more than 2,000 years old, is well worth a visit. The round trip to the tribe is about 10.4 kilometers on foot. It is recommended to complete it in two days and one night, which is easy and comfortable. #Simacus #Simacus Giant Trees #MarchGoodPlaces2025

#2月好去地方2025 #Simakusi #神木 The Giant Trees Trail is a must-visit itinerary for visitors to Simakusi. It takes 4-5 hours to go back and forth for 10.6 kilometers. There are 9 giant trees in the Giant Trees Trail. The most famous one is the 2,500-year-old Yaya Qparung. It is named after the Atayal word for "mother" and is the fourth largest sacred tree in Taiwan. The trail is flat and easy to walk, but some rockfall areas require quick passage. There are toilets and chairs along the way for rest and to replenish calories. Unfortunately, after the typhoon and heavy rain, many trees fell down and the forest is no longer the same as before. Attached is a photo of the cherry blossoms in full bloom around the parking lot and at 2.3k when I visited on 2/29/2025. The road to the cherry blossom forest is easy to walk, but it may not be suitable for strollers.