The Shengmu Hiking Trail (聖母登山步道) is located in Jiaoxi (礁溪), a small area in Yilan (宜蘭) that is famous for its hot springs. It is a roughly six-kilometer trail with mostly paved, stepped paths winding through dense forest, offering breath-taking panoramas of the Lanyang Plains (蘭陽平原) and the Pacific Ocean in the distance below, and layers of green mountain vistas all around. The final 1.6 kilometers are quite steep and arduous, so bring plenty of water and snacks for energy if you’re going to complete the full hike. The hike takes about five hours to complete up and down. There are waterfalls and cascades along the route, and restrooms at certain points as well. There is also quite a lot of Catholic imagery along the way.
This cache is located at a rest pavilion just past the 0K+700 trail marker on the final 1.6km section that leads to the peak. You can stop here for a rest on the benches before continuing your hike. There’s even an automated external defibrillator (AED) available here for anyone who may be experiencing cardiac arrest. NOTE: There is no need to climb on the AED or climb on ANYTHING to access the cache. Please bring your own pen, and replace the cache in EXACTLY the same spot you found it.