2026 Gua Mountain Grand Traverse Launches in September – Explore Changhua Through 8 Unique Trails

Since 2022, Changhua County Government has hosted the 'Gua Mountain Grand Traverse – Changhua Round and Round' event, now entering its fifth year. The 2026 edition will run from September 1 to November 30, with a promotional press conference held on the 20th at the county hall courtyard. County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei, along with local officials and distinguished guests, attended the event. Magistrate Wang announced that this year, eight distinctive trails along the Bagua Mountain range have been carefully selected, with eight hiking events and three major highlights designed to invite the public to explore Changhua’s mountains, scenic spots, villages, local cuisine, and industries on foot. Participants who complete designated trails will receive a limited-edition 'Little Mountain Monster Scented Handmade Soap' and earn raffle entries, combining health, gamification, collection, and micro-travel into one enriching experience.

Magistrate Wang stated that the eight routes this year include the Changhua Great Buddha Loop Trail, Taoyuanli Forest Trail, Huatan Dalin Lane Trail, Fen Yuan Water-Carrying Ancient Path, Yuanlin Tengshan Trail, She-Tou Shih-Pa-Wan and Central Ridge Trail, Tianzhong Qilin Mountain Trail, and Ershui Dengmiao Trail. These hiking paths blend natural landscapes with cultural characteristics, making them suitable for visitors of all ages and family groups.

Wang emphasized that the 'Gua Mountain Grand Traverse' has gradually built recognition through its mascot 'Little Mountain Monster.' The county aims to establish a strong event brand and, building on past successes, is launching the 'Gua Mountain Infinite Travel Agency'—not a traditional travel agency, but an integrated tourism platform connecting trails, attractions, dining, local businesses, and accommodations. The goal is to encourage visitors not just to hike, but to stay longer, explore communities, and savor local dishes, transforming foot traffic into sustainable tourism and economic impact.

Magistrate Wang highlighted three key features of this year’s event. First is the 'Travel Resume' system. By joining the online 'Gua Mountain Infinite Travel Agency,' participants become members and can accumulate personal travel records by completing trail challenges. They can even 'promote' to the rank of manager, turning each hike into a visible achievement.

The second highlight is the 'Brand Pop-Up Store.' During the event, a pop-up store for the 'Gua Mountain Infinite Travel Agency' will be set up at the Bagua Mountain Visitor Center, with the Little Mountain Monster as store manager. It will offer event information, travel consultations, past commemorative goods, photo check-ins, and cross-brand experiences, creating a physical gateway for online activities and helping build a lasting impression of Changhua tourism over the three-month event.

The third highlight is the limited-edition completion gift: the 'Little Mountain Monster Scented Handmade Soap.' Designed around the concept of 'one soap, one trail,' each of the eight scents—sandalwood, pine, jasmine, pineapple, longan, rice, guava, and pomelo—corresponds to the natural scenery and local characteristics of a specific trail. This transforms mountain memories into a sensory experience that is collectible, shareable, and usable in daily life.

Wang noted that participants can redeem the scented soap by completing trails on designated event days. Additionally, completing four trails during the event period earns one raffle entry, and completing all eight earns two entries. Prizes include a 65-inch LCD TV, iPad, GARMIN fitness band, accommodation vouchers, and Little Mountain Monster plush toys, encouraging hikers to explore the Bagua Mountains and tour various parts of Changhua. Furthermore, until August 31, customers who spend over 500 NTD at any business registered in Changhua can submit receipts to enter a separate raffle for a chance to win cash prizes up to one million NTD.

The Department of City and Tourism Affairs explained that the event’s continued popularity stems from its accessible routes, flexible participation, gamified multi-trail challenges with digital stamp collection, emotional connection through the 'Little Mountain Monster' brand, practical limited-edition gifts, and collaboration with local businesses. What began as a simple hiking activity has evolved into an experiential family-friendly tourism format. The Bagua Mountains serve as a vital green corridor in Changhua, carrying the life stories of various townships. The county will continue leveraging branded events, digital engagement, and local partnerships to transform trails from mere recreational spaces into key pathways for tourism promotion, local industry support, and sustainable travel.

The public is invited to join the 'Gua Mountain Infinite Travel Agency' this autumn, explore Changhua, hike the trails, enjoy local cuisine, and collect stories. Registration opens in three phases: starting September 1 for the Dalin Lane Trail (Huatan Township) on September 19 and the Dengmiao Trail (Ershui Township) on September 26; starting October 1 for the Water-Carrying Ancient Path (Fenyuan Township) on October 10, Taoyuanli Forest Trail (Changhua City) on October 24, and Great Buddha Loop Trail on October 31; and starting November 1 for the Qilin Mountain Trail (Tianzhong Township) on November 7, Tengshan Trail (Yuanlin City) on November 14, and Shih-Pa-Wan & Central Ridge Trail on November 21.