Syakaro Historic Trail & Smangus: 2 Days in Atayal Territory

22km trek along an Atayal communal road and 2,000-year-old cypress groves in Hsinchu's remote Smangus village — 2 days

The Syakaro Historic Trail follows an ancient Atayal communal road through Hsinchu's mountains, passing abandoned Japanese-era police stations and a 150-meter suspension bridge. The trail terminates at Smangus, one of Taiwan's most isolated indigenous villages and the last to gain road access. There, you overnight in a homestay within a cooperative-run community, then hike beneath a canopy of ancient cypress trees—some exceeding 2,000 years old—before returning to Taipei. The two days are structured around the landscape the Atayal have inhabited for centuries: forest, ridge, and the communal infrastructure of their historical trade routes.

Highlights

22-kilometer trek along the Syakaro Historic Trail, an ancient Atayal communal road through cedar and bamboo forest
Abandoned Japanese-era police stations, remnants of colonial administration
150-meter suspension bridge with views across Hsinchu's mountain ridge
Overnight accommodation in Smangus, Taiwan's most recently road-connected indigenous village, operated as a cooperative
Giant Trees Trail beneath a grove of cypress trees aged 2,000 years or more
Local Atayal cuisine and cultural exchange within an indigenous homestay

Day by day

1Syakaro Historic Trail to SmangusSyakaro Historic Trail · Smangus · bamboo and cedar forest · abandoned Japanese police stations · 150-meter suspension bridge · indigenous homestay in Smangus

The day begins with a 22-kilometer trek along the Syakaro Historic Trail, following the route the Atayal used as a communal road for centuries. The path descends through bamboo and cedar forest, passing abandoned Japanese police stations that mark the colonial era's reach into these mountains. A 150-meter suspension bridge crosses a steep valley midway, offering views across the ridge system. You hike through shifting terrain—forest canopy, open ridge sections, and scattered viewpoints—before arriving in Smangus by late afternoon. Private transportation manages the approach and final stages of the journey. In Smangus, you stay in an indigenous homestay and share dinner with your host family, experiencing Atayal hospitality and local cuisine.

2Giant Trees Trail and Return to TaipeiGiant Trees Trail · Smangus · Taipei Main Station

Smangus operates as Taiwan's only community-run cooperative, a distinction rooted in its isolation—the village was the last indigenous village in Taiwan to receive a road linkage to the outside world. You begin with a breakfast of local Atayal food before hiking the Giant Trees Trail, a path that winds beneath a canopy of ancient cypress trees, many dating back 2,000 years. The cool, green understory filters light and moderates temperature, creating a distinct microclimate within the grove. After the morning hike and a midday meal, private transportation returns you to Taipei Main Station, concluding the tour.

Included

Private return transportation from/to Taipei Main Station
3 meals included
One night accommodation (indigenous homestay)
Licensed, bilingual mountain guide
Taxes, gratuities and Daily Liability Insurance