Before the tunnel, people had to use the old stone-paved Tsaoling trail to traverse the mountain. Today people walk the trail out of interest and to get exercise.
草嶺隧道未開之前，人們要走石頭鋪成的草嶺古道翻越草嶺；今人再走上古道則是健行訪幽，古道如舊，心情截然不同。