Lalashan (R’ra) National Forest Recreation Area (拉拉山國家森林遊樂區) is one of two National Forests located in Taoyuan City, the other being Dongyanshan National Forest. Located approximately 95km from Taipei Main Station, and with limited public transit that only connects to the neighboring villages, it’s one of the most difficult and remote National Forest to visit in Northern Taiwan.
Lalashan, refers to a specific mountain in Taiwan, which is part of the Xueshan Range in northern Taiwan. Lalashan, located in the Fuxing District of Taoyuan City, is renowned for its ancient Giant Trees, some over a thousand years old. In 2022, the surrounding area was designated as the Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area (拉拉山國家森林遊樂區), and after recent renovations to the visitor center, it reopened to the public in late 2023.
Introduction
Located at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, Lalashan National Forest boasts Taiwan’s largest area of red cypress trees. While known to the local Atayal indigenous tribe since time immemorial, it was not until around 1973, when a Professor from Wenhua University discovered the giant red cypress (sacred tree) forest that it became popular with the domestic recreational community.
The term “Lala” comes from the indigenous Atayal phrase “R’ra,” which originally meant “look into the distance on tiptoe.” This likely refers to the elevated terrain and the vantage point this area of Taoyuan provides over its surroundings. Perhaps it was from this place that, many generations ago, that the local Atayal tribal members would watch for surrounding tribal movements or attacks. Further investigations and research during the Japanese Colonial Period revealed that may “Lala” mean “sword” or “beautiful view” in the Atayal language.
The National Forest is located in the Upper Baling area of Fuxing District, a few kilometers from the main square of the mountain village. The name “Baling” comes from Balung, which in the indigenous Atayal language means “cypress” or “fallen giant tree“. As the legend goes, long ago there was a great flood that washed down fallen trees from the sacred area now within the National Forest. People say that the local Atayal used these fallen trees to build their homes in the area.
Hiking Trails in Lalashan National Forest
The trails in Lalashan National Forest all connect, allowing hikers to complete them with minimal doubling back. These trails come together as the Giant Tree Trails, offering the chance to create both larger and smaller loops.
Download the Lalashan National Forest Trail Map here.
Hiking the Giant Tree Trails (飽覽巨木之旅)
4km (total) | Looped Trail | No Permit Required | Level 1 Easy
GPX File for Giant Tree Trails
This trail connects the parking lot and the newly renovated visitor center to the entire National Forest. It is a combination of smaller trails that connect and make for a lovely 3-hour hike through one of Taiwan’s last remaining giant tree groves. The trail combines flat crushed-stone paths, a few wooden stairs, and compact soil. For the most park this trail is really quite easy and is suitable for most beginner hikers.
hree areas provide benches where hikers can rest, with two of them located separately. The first area also features washroom facilities.
Hiking the Fuba Yueling Historic Trail (巴福越嶺古道)
18km (one-way) | Linear Two-Way | Permit Required | Level 3 Difficulty
GPX: Fuba Yueling Historic Trail
The Fuba Yueling (cross-mountain or traversing) Historic Trail connects Lalashan National Forest in Baling to the Atayal village of Fushan in Wulai District of New Taipei City. The Atayal tribes originally built the Fuba Cross-Mountain Trail for hunting, trade, inter-tribal marriage, and visiting relatives, which likely led to its nickname, the “in-laws trail.”
This 18km (linear two-way) trail traverses the Lala Mountain Nature Protection Zone and the Chatianshan Nature Reserve, making it one of the most remote historic trails in Northern Taiwan. The hike along this features a total altitude difference of 1,236m and runs along an altitude between 430 and 1,666m. The trail is commonly hiked from Wulai to Lalashan, which features a steady incline and makes it easier on hikers knees. Due to the remoteness (preventing machines to access) and steep mountain valleys the Fuba Trail traverses, there have been numerous landslides and fallen trees that frequently cause the trail to partially or fully close.
The trail consists mostly of compact soil, with elevation inclines and declines spread across the 18km route. This essentially means that the elevation isn’t as noticeable and makes for a relatively flat, yet long and challenging hike. There are no major technical climbing sections on this trail. The Fuba Cross-Mountain Trail does have some scrambles over sections with fallen trees and rocky remains of past landslides.
What to Expect along this Trail
There is little to no cell phone reception (particularly in the middle of this trail) and limited water sources. There are also no food services along this trail. For those looking to complete this trail end-to-end, they should prepare supplies for the day. This would include about 2L of water, snacks/lunch and a headlamp (in case night falls while you’re on the trail).
The Fuba Cross-Mountain Trail passes through the Chatianshan Nature Reserve (插天山自然保留區). This means that hikers are required to apply for a special permit that allows entry. To apply, simply go to Taiwan’s Forestry Bureau’s Nature Conservation website. On the homepage you’ll see a widget on the top right of the page. Ensure you’ve selected the first tab (保護留區進入申請) – this is the application tab. Then select “自然保留區” for the first drop-down option. Then select “插天山自然保留區 – 福巴越嶺步道” from the second drop-down option. Press “我要申請”, which translates to “I want to apply”.
If you use Google Translate, then you can read the Terms and Conditions and follow the steps to apply online. Please note that only 150 applications are approved each day. Hikers are required to submit trail applications, even if they don’t plan to hike the entire trail.
Attractions and Services
Lalashan (R’ra) Visitor Center – The Visitor Center in Lalashan National Forest is located close to the upper parking lot. You can’t miss it and have to walk directly past it before entering the Giant Tree Trails. This newly renovated visitor center is much better than the facility that was previously on this site. Now visitors have a chance to explore a basic interpretative center. They can also enjoy some simple snacks, as well as a variety of drinks (hot and cold) from the small cafe located inside the center. Since it arguably offers one of the best views of any National Forest visitor center, a stop before or after your hike is highly recommended.
Giant Tree Group of Lalashan (R’ra) National Forest – While the air is fresh and cool, with only about 4km of trails inside Lalashan, the hiking in this National Forest isn’t the main draw here. Visitors make the trip out to Lalashan National Forest is for the Giant Cypress Trees. That’s what makes this destination so famous.
The Giant Tree Group is made up of a combination of Taiwan red cypress and Taiwan cypress trees. In total there are 23 red cypress (some fallen) and one Taiwan cypress. The trees range in height from 25 to 45 meters and have been dated between 250 to 1,500 years. Trees Number 1, 11, 14, 17, 18, and 24 are all more than 1,000 years old.
When To Visit Lalashan
Pending no typhoons or earthquakes, Lalashan National Forest is open all year round. The gates to the park open at 08:00 and close at 17:00 on weekdays and on weekends. Lalashan is popular with Taiwanese throughout the year, but gets very busy during June (peach season) and late February – March (cherry blossom season). We’d recommend visiting in the late fall (September – November). The Summer heat and crowds will have thinned out and the rainfall is less frequent.
Weather and Climate in Fuxing District, Taoyuan
Located between 1400-1900m, Lalashan National Forest is always a few degrees cooler than the lower lying areas in Northern Taiwan. The climate here is often referred to as a Cloud Belt. A true “Cloud Forest”, the protected area is often shrouded in clouds and low-lying mist adding to the area’s mystique.
Depending on when on chooses to visit Lalashan, the temperatures can range from 8.5 °C to 27°C. While cooler between December to February, it is also the driest times to visit. The months of June to September tends to receive the most precipitation. But much of the volume of rain during these months occurs in the afternoons.
Click here for weekly weather forecasts for the local area.
Admission into the National Forest
Ticket prices for Lalashan National Forest vary depending on age and what kind of vehicle you arrive in.
Admission Prices:
| Ticket Type | Price (NT$) |
|---|---|
| Full fare Ticket (Weekday) | $200 |
| Full fare Ticket (Holiday/Weekend) | $200 |
| Half fare Ticket (local resident, military and children 7-12) | $100 |
| Discount Ticket (Seniors over 65 and children 3-6) | $10 |
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket gate and online (for $150ntd), by making an account with the Forestry Bureau. To be honest, the park staff is really friendly and many can speak passable-to-great English. Purchasing admission at the ticket booth is not a big inconvenience. Visit the Forestry Bureau website for updated ticket information.
How to Get to There
Lalashan (R’ra) National Forest is certainly one of the more remote National Forests in Taiwan. But don’t worry. It’s well worth the effort to get there. Like many of the National Forests in Taiwan, the most convenient way to visit is by a personal vehicle/scooter.
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to Lalashan (R’ra) National Forest.
Driving by Car
For those driving to Lalashan (R’ra) National Forest, you’ll likely use Google Maps to help you along the way. As a point of reference, travel times from Taipei will be about 2-2.5 hours each way. Traffic can extend these times, particularly heading into Fuxing District on weekends. Use this location as your reference.
Booking Private Transportation or a Tour
Interested in visiting Lalashan National Forest, but need some help? Do you need a guide and/or pick-up and drop-off transportation services? Just fill out our custom tour form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.