Huoyan Mountain Explained

Huoyan Mountain
Elevation:596m (1,955feet)
614m (2,014feet) (north peak)
Elevation Ref:[1]
Coordinates:24.3676°N 120.729°W
Translation:Fire mountain
Country:Taiwan
State:Miaoli County
State Type:County
Region:Sanyi and Yuanli
Region Type:Township

Huoyan Mountain (Chinese: t=火炎山|p=Huǒyánshān|l="fire mountain") is a mountain located at the border of Sanyi and Yuanli Townships in Miaoli County, Taiwan. The mountain is known for its jagged exposed laterite surfaces that look like fire.

Description

Huoyan Mountain is located on the north bank of Da'an River. Geologically, it is part of the Toukeshan Formation (頭嵙山層), a Pleistocene-era formation. The prominent red cliffs on the mountain are due to the tectonic uplift, weak shear strength of the underlying soil, and heavy rainfall. The mountain is protected by the Forestry Bureau to preserve the unique landscape and ecology.[2]

County Highway 140, a major road connecting the coastal regions with the mountainous interior in Miaoli County, passes on the south side of the mountain. In the past, the highway would often be blocked by landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. Therefore, in 2006, a tunnel was built to protect the road from blockages.[3]

Hiking

There are a couple of hiking trails that reach the triangulation point at the summit of Huoyan Mountain. The north peak, slightly higher in elevation, is not reachable by the trails. The mountain is one of the "hundred little mountains" (臺灣小百岳), a list of shorter and accessible mountains promoted by the Sports Administration for recreation.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NO.035火炎山(596公尺) . 運動資訊平台 . 9 February 2021 . zh-tw . 14 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210214230541/https://isports.sa.gov.tw/Apps/TIS05/TIS0550M_02V1.aspx?MENU_PRG_CD=16&LEFT_MENU_ACTIVE_ID=119&PKNO=35 . live .
  2. Web site: 苗栗三義火炎山自然保留區 . 自然保育網 . Forestry Bureau . 9 February 2021 . zh-tw . 17 September 2019 . 28 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190428055814/https://conservation.forest.gov.tw/0000116 . live .
  3. Web site: 火炎山隧道 . Taiwan Cultural Memory Bank . Ministry of Culture . 9 February 2021 . zh-tw . 9 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210209043113/https://memory.culture.tw/Home/Detail?Id=332809&IndexCode=Culture_Place . live .
  4. Web site: Mt. Huoyan Loop Trail. Hikingbook Inc.. 2024-03-13.