The China Youth Corps' classic camp "Xi-A Traverse" refers to a 32-kilometer route from Xitou through Heshe and Shenmu Village to Alishan. However, after the 921 earthquake, multiple sections of the roadbed collapsed and were damaged, interrupting the route. The earthquake also created a landslide dam lake in the upper reaches of the Shigu Stream, where surrounding cedar trees, submerged in water for a long time, gradually withered. Their reflection in the water forms a strikingly beautiful scene of decay, now known as the magical "Shuiyang Forest."
Today, the classic route has been reopened, with experienced mountain guides leading the way from the Alishan Forest Recreation Area. Hikers will walk along the suspended Alishan Mianyue Line Railway, passing by Tashan, Mianyue, and Shihou stations. The route offers breathtaking views of the pristine natural forest. Climbers will ascend to the 2,551-meter peak of "Songshan," visit Taiwan's fourth-largest tree, the "Mianyue Sacred Tree," and then descend along the ridge to Shuiyang Forest. There, they will witness this natural spectacle of mountains and waters in its most dreamlike form, before exiting via the Yasongping Forest Trail into the Shanlinxi Forest Ecological Resort Area. This alternative vertical route of the Xi-A Traverse showcases unique landscapes of forests, sacred trees, railways, and sea clouds. The "Xi-A Traverse" is not only a hiking experience but also emphasizes environmental protection and ecological sustainability. Participants will learn to respect and protect nature, cherishing its beauty while committing to preserving it for future generations.
※ The event will employ porters to assist in carrying public provisions, equipment, and tents, so participants will not need to bear these loads. The entire journey adheres to the principles of the Leave No Trace (LNT) movement, ensuring that apart from our footprints, we leave nothing behind. We treasure the natural environment and will carry all trash down from the mountain.
【Accommodation: Wild camping at Shihou Station and Shuiyang Forest】