Raknus Selu Trail: a pilgrimage route for Hakka and Indigenous history

Raknus Selu Trail: a pilgrimage route for Hakka and Indigenous history

2022-09-23

The Raknus Selu Trail is an ancient path that stretches almost 400 kilometers down Taiwan’s central mountain range. Along the track are dozens of ancient villages that carry the histories of Indigenous and Hakka people. It’s a pilgrimage route not only for nature buffs, but also those who want to connect with ancestral stories. A new TV show produced by the Hakka Affairs Council is bringing this hidden gem to light.

Provincial Highway No. 3 runs through the beautiful mountains of central Taiwan. Near the highway lies the legendary Raknus Selu Trail. Its reputation enticed professional trail runner Chou Ching to return from Europe to check it out. Travel show hosts Gigi and Stanley were also enthralled by the trail.

Gigi Lin
Travel expert
I think what’s amazing about the Raknus Selu Trail is not just that it’s a mysterious, ancient trail, but every old trail is linked to a small town. We love going to Hengshan, and the Dashanbei Trail there is so fun.

The Raknus Selu Trail stretches 380 kilometers from Longtan in Taoyuan to Taichung’s Dongshi District. You can still see traces of the peoples who first cleared this path. As you walk, you pass through a string of Hakka and Indigenous villages, learning the local people’s stories of conflict, struggle, love and devotion. And in the 19th century the trail became a portal to the world, as the camphor trees which line it became a major export. The Hakka Affairs Council hired Golden Bell Award winning presenter Danny Wen and English cameraman Chris Stowers to walk the trail and film their adventure.

Yiong Con-ziin
Hakka Affairs Council minister
This is a trail of hardship for our Hakka forebears, and a trail of blood for our Indigenous forebears. It’s also a pilgrimage trail for all Taiwanese people to get closer to the land and get to know our history.

The longest national trail affords walkers not just stunning views of Taiwan’s forests, but also many insights into the history and cultures of the island. As we head into autumn, the Raknus Selu Trail is a perfect travel destination for nature lovers.

最長國家級步道客委會邀溫士凱揭密樟之細路

2022-09-23

美麗台三線上，有條國家級的長程步道樟之細路，全長近4百公里，不但充滿客家與原民的生活痕跡，更是19世紀，帶領台灣通往大航海時代的大道。為了讓世界看見古道的獨特文化風貌，客委會邀請金鐘主持人溫士凱與英國攝影師，深入揭開樟之細路的秘密。熱血大叔史丹利、Gigi及越野跑高手周青也都興奮分享。

美麗台三線上，曾有一條神秘步道，「樟之細路」的絕美風景，讓遠從歐洲跑回台灣的越野高手周青，大力推薦。主持旅遊節目多年的Gigi、史丹利，也忍不住分享。

[[旅遊達人 Gigi林如琦]]
“我覺得樟之細路很厲害的地方，不只有神秘古道，每個古道都連接到一個小城鎮，像我們很愛去的橫山，那邊大山背那邊很好玩。”

從桃園龍潭到台中東勢，全長380公里，樟之細路不但有先民開墾的歷史痕跡，還是條串聯客家與原民部落，從爆發衝突到結為連理的浪漫古道。早年更因出口樟樹，成為十九世紀大航海時代，通往世界的步道。客委會找來金鐘主持人溫士凱及英國攝影師Chris Stowers，一步一腳印，揭開樟之細路的神秘面紗。

[[客委會主委楊長鎮]]
"這是一條客家先民的苦路，也是一條原住民先民的血路，也是台灣人共同親近土地、認識我們歷史的一條朝聖之路。"

最長的國家級步道，不但有台灣山林之美，更充滿歷史文化。秋高氣爽，不妨踏上樟之細路的旅程。

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