導賞點 4
為何山徑同一處會出現那麼多分岔路?會有什麼問題?
Why so many branched trails are found in this section? Any problems?
分岔路 Shortcuts
由大帽山至鉛礦坳一段的麥理浩徑第八段,在青翠的草坡及奇形怪狀的大石之中穿越。
The section 8 of Maclehose Trail from Tai Mo Shan to Lead Mine Pass is traversed by verdant grassy slopes and grotesque boulders.
奇怪的是,明明走在同一條路線上,走線卻不止一條主徑,而是由很多分岔小徑組成的網狀山徑,像一道道刻劃在山坡上的疤痕。
It is strange that when you’re on the same route, you’re on more than one main path. Instead, you’re on a network of bifurcated paths, like scars carved into the hillside.
分岔小徑最初是由人還是由牛走出來的,已無從稽考,但可肯定的是由行山人士「發揚光大」。行山人士或因為不同原因(例如想避開路上的水窪、貪快走捷徑、想找好走一點的方法登山等) 偏離原來的主徑,久而久之在廣闊的草地上形成了許多分支路,有些位置更由一條主徑演變為五條分支。
Whether the forking path was first taken by man or by cattle is impossible to determine, but it was certainly “carried forward” by the traveler.For different reasons (such as avoiding the puddles on the road, taking shortcuts, and finding a better way to climb), the hikers deviate from the original main path and, over times, form many branches on the vast grassland, some of which have evolved from one main path to five branches.
在分支小徑之間的植被,隨著各小徑擴闊和不停的踐踏會慢慢死去,漸漸形成一大片秃地。沒有植被的保護,雨水來時就會容易造成水土流失。 因此我們山友們遠足時記緊要「行正路」,一同保護山徑的自然美態。
The vegetation between the branching paths will slowly die out as the paths widen and continue to be trampled, gradually forming a large bald area. Without the protection of vegetation, soil erosion will easily be caused when the rain comes. Therefore, when we hike, please remember to “stay on track”. Let’s work together to protect the natural beauty.