Dewulan Trail Spur to Close Permanently From Sept. 17 Over Suspension Bridge Safety Concerns

A damaged suspension bridge has prompted Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency to permanently close a mountain trail spur in Taichung’s Heping District from Sept. 17.

The Dewulan Trail spur will be discontinued along its full route. The closure begins at the 1.8-kilometer point from the Dewulan Trail and reaches the Dongyanshan Trail at its 0.5-kilometer and 2-kilometer points.

The 4.5-kilometer spur once served as a cross-mountain route linking the main Dewulan Trail with the Dongyanshan Trail. Its Dewulan No. 3 Suspension Bridge was originally built for a Taiwan Power Company maintenance route.

A professional inspection found damage to the bridge’s main cable and raised concerns about its structural safety. Officials said the steep mountain terrain would make it difficult to transport construction equipment and repair materials. After consulting trail experts, a local hiking association and residents, the Taichung branch chose to close only the spur as a cautious risk-management measure. The main Dewulan Trail will continue to operate.

The agency said the discontinued route will not reopen for public access and urged people not to enter it or hike there.