Huoyan Mountain

For the landform in Xinjiang, see Flaming Mountains.
Huoyan Mountain
Aerial view of Huoyan Mountain
Highest point
Elevation596 m (1,955 ft)
614 m (2,014 ft) (north peak)[1]
Coordinates24°22′03″N 120°43′44″E / 24.3676°N 120.7290°E / 24.3676; 120.7290
Naming
Native name火炎山 (Chinese)
English translationFire mountain
Geography
Map
CountryTaiwan
CountyMiaoli County
TownshipSanyi and Yuanli

Huoyan Mountain (Chinese: 火炎山; pinyin: Huǒyánshān; lit. '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]

  • Huoyan Mountain from the south
    Huoyan Mountain from the south
  • View from a hiking trail on Huoyan Mountain
    View from a hiking trail on Huoyan Mountain. Tiezhan Mountain in Dajia is visible in the background.
  • Huoyan Mountain with National Freeway 1 in the foreground
    Huoyan Mountain with National Freeway 1 in the foreground

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mount Huoyan.
  1. ^ "NO.035火炎山(596公尺)". 運動資訊平台 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. ^ "苗栗三義火炎山自然保留區". 自然保育網 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Forestry Bureau. 17 September 2019. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  3. ^ "火炎山隧道". Taiwan Cultural Memory Bank (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Culture. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Mt. Huoyan Loop Trail". Hikingbook Inc. Retrieved 13 March 2024.