Pingtung mountain trail still closed due to rain-caused road collapses

Taipei, Aug. 6 (CNA) The hiking trail on Beidawu Mountain in Pingtung County will remain closed until Dec. 31 due to the collapse of several sections of the trail following extremely heavy rainfall in the area, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Pingtung branch said Wednesday.

Visitors who have already paid for mountain cabin reservations are eligible for a full refund, the Pingtung branch said in a statement.

The trail, which had been temporarily closed since July 28 due to the impact of torrential downpours, was originally scheduled to reopen on Aug. 10.

Disaster assessments following heavy rainfall over the past week revealed more significant damage, however, including collapses at the 0.45 km, 0.55 km, 0.65 km, 2.45 km, and 6.1 km markers of the trail.

There was also a damaged bridge at the 1.5 km marker caused by falling rocks and roadbed erosion at the 2.6 km marker, and parts of the access road also collapsed.

Given those conditions, the trail will be closed until the end of 2025, the agency said, and those who have paid for accommodation can apply for a full refund through the mountain hut booking system.

Other trails under the Pingtung branch's jurisdiction, including Liuyishan Trail, Lingshan Trail, Shuangxi Arboretum Trail, Shimenshan Trail and Gaoshifo Trail, reopened Wednesday.

The western section of the Jinshuiyin Trail, however, will remain closed pending road repairs.

People are advised to avoid mountain activities in the near future amid persistent risks of falling rocks, landslides and fallen trees as soil moisture in mountain areas remains high, the agency said.