Lush Scenery and Spectacular Waterfalls on a Wheelchair-Accessible Trail

Neidong Forest Recreation Area is a small but pretty park in New Taipei’s Wulai District. The park has always been well worth a visit, but a couple of years back, the waterfall trail — one of three trails in the park — was renovated with the aim of making it more accessible. Now, visitors are greeted by a broad and gentle trail that winds its way along the Nanshi River to a bridge with beautiful waterfall views.

Distance: The track leading to the first waterfall is 1 kilometre each way. If you want to visit the two upper waterfalls, it’ll be an additional couple of hundred meters but this last stretch is up steps.

Parking: There are accessible parking facilities in the recreation area’s free car park.

Trail conditions: The trail from the park entrance to the first waterfall is a lovely smooth tarmacked track with a gradual incline. Benches are placed beside the trail at regular-ish intervals. I saw several wheelchairs and strollers along the route. If you wish to continue beyond the first waterfall, you’ll need to navigate steps both with and without railings.

Bathroom facilities: Accessible toilets can be found just outside the main gates and about three-quarters of the way towards the waterfall.

Food and drink availability: There are hot and cold water dispensers just inside the ticket barriers, but no food is sold here, so you’ll need to bring what you need.

Shade: Much of the trail is quite exposed, so if you have sun-sensitive skin, make sure you take precautions.

Mobile network: Clear throughout.

Enjoyment: This is a delightful route with birds, river sounds and at least one waterfall. The fact that you can enjoy it with family members of all ages and abilities makes it all the sweeter.

Route type: There and back.

Permit: None needed, but you do need to purchase a ticket to enter the park.

Jump to the bottom of this post for a trail map and GPX file.

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The ticket booth for Neidong Forest Recreation Area can be accessed either by a ramp to the right of the building or by just wandering in via the exit end.

On the unpaid side of the ticket booth, you’ll find the first of the park’s two accessible toilets.

Midweek, a full-price ticket costs NT$65, while on the weekends, it’s NT$80. Residents of New Taipei get discounted tickets for NT$40 regardless of which day you visit, and (according to the sign) those with disabilities get in for free, although I would imagine that is likely only extended to Taiwanese citizens.

One you pass through the gates, you’ll be asked to show your ticket. If you’re a collector of souvenir stamps, you’ll find a stamp and ink pad at the ticket checking station, as well as paper maps introducing the park’s trails and features.

Look right from this first sheltered pavilion and you can see the tall, thin tail of Wusha Creek Waterfall. It is not as impressive as Wulai Waterfall (which you have to pass to get here), but it’s worth a quick look nonetheless.

The whole way up to the waterfall, you’ll find a broad, smooth road with a gentle ascent.

Aside from nature itself, the most impressive feature along the trail is the concrete mass of Luohao Dam. The dam was built in 1947 and added to in 1963 when an inlet was added to funnel water into a 4.7-kilometre-long tunnel leading to Wulai Power Plant. These days, the hydroelectric plant is still used, but only during periods of peak demand.

Looking back at the dam from a little way upstream with the green mountain scenery od Wulai standing tall behind it.

The trail seems to be popular with families who want to bring older relatives out for a spot of fresh air and forest bathing.

In some places, you have a clear view over Nanshi River with its pale grey rocks and almost impossibly bright blue waters.

As the trail nears the first waterfall, you’ll pass the second toilet block (the accessible bathroom is the one on the right).

For those travelling with wheels or unable to manage steps, Leshui Bridge is the end point of the walk.

From the bridge, you can see the Neidong Lower waterfall, the second in a cascade of two waterfalls and if it’s as far as you make it, then it’s a trip well spent A wide ribbon spills forth over dark grey rocks, hemmed in on all sides by ferns and lush leafy greenery.

If you’ve got the time and are OK with a few steps, it’s well worth climbing the final couple of hundred metres to see the upper falls. Steps lead off the main path close to the park exit side of the bridge then climb to meet a clearing with a large pavilion.

For the very final part of the journey, more steps lead up to two viewing platforms overlooking the waterway.

The first viewing platform has a perfect vantage point overlooking the lower falls. From here, you can watch the water plunge into a deep blue pool — almost inviting save for the fact it almost certainly generates a powerful undertow.

Continuing up, you’ll pass the turning for the park’s Forest Bathing and Scenic Trails (together the three form part of a longer loop) before arriving at the topmost point of Neidong’s Waterfall Trail.

The upper falls have an even bigger plunge pool and froth over the rocks in a showy white tail that’s powerful enough to kick up a fine mist that reaches you on the breeze.

From here, it’s a simple case of retracing your steps back the way you came as unhurriedly as you’d like. 

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How to get to Neidong Forest Recreation Area

Google Maps address: There’s a free carpark at the entrance to the park. The carpark has a couple of accessible spaces.

GPS location: N24 50.070 E121 31.590

Public transport: There isn’t any public transport to Neidong Forest Recreation Area.

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Neidong Accessible Waterfall Trail Map

GPX file available here on Outdoor Active. (Account needed, but the free one works just fine.)

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