Dakeng is a network of forested ridges and valleys at the eastern edge of Taichung, the city's nearest serious walking country. Ten numbered trails climb the hills from various trailheads; the most popular are trails 5 and 5-1, which use the famous wooden-pole bridges over the steeper sections.
The trails range from forty minutes (trail 9) to a serious five hours (trail 1). For a half-day excursion, trail 5 and the connected loop with trail 4 is the standard combination. Hot springs and a couple of farmhouse restaurants in the village below; reachable by city bus from the centre in about an hour.