WATERFALL HIKES IN TAIWAN

With its steep terrain and abundant rainfall, Taiwan is a waterfall chaser’s paradise.

DAGUI WATERFALL RIVER TRACE (大鬼瀑布溯溪)

With Taiwan’s summers dragging on for a seemingly infinite length of time, there’s nothing more appealing than immersing yourself in the nearest body of water and this easy river trace in New Taipei’s Ruifang District is a top spot to stop off on a hot day.

NEIDONG FOREST RECREATION AREA TRAILS (內洞森林遊樂區步道)

Situated on the banks of Nanshi Creek and far away from the busy city, Neidong National Forest Recreation Area is a peaceful and pretty natural haven. The park has a total of three trails — the Scenic Trail, the Forest Bathing Trail and the Waterfall Trail — which can be woven together into a single loop, allowing you to see all that the park has to offer.

ZHUKENG STREAM TRAIL (竹坑溪步道)

This pleasant walk in Chiayi County takes in several waterfals, including one which cascades dramatically over a rock face.

DONGMAN TRAIL (東滿步道)

Dongman Trail is a unique experience among Taiwan hiking trails in that it connects two of Taiwan’s forest recreation areas: Dongyanshan and Manyueyuan. At around 16-17km, it is a relatively long day-hike, but walkers who venture onto this route are treated to picturesque and peaceful forest scenery.

NEIDONG WATERFALL TRAIL (內洞瀑布)

Neidong Forest Recreation Area’s Waterfall Trail is a gentle, barrier-free trail that winds its way along the Nanshi River to a bridge with beautiful waterfall views.

SANMIN BAT CAVE and GUANYIN TEMPLE (三民蝙蝠洞/觀音洞)

An easy walk in Taoyuan’s mountainous Fuxing District that packs a lot into its short length. There’s a bat cave, a waterfall, and a unique temple built around a mountain spring—more than enough to make it worth a trip.

SAKUL WATERFALL TRAIL (撒固兒瀑布)

This short and pretty waterfall trail on the outskirts of Hualien offers a quick and easy getaway from the heat of the city.

MATCHA MOUNTAIN and MOUNT SANJIAOLUN (抹茶山/三角崙山)

You won’t find Matcha Mountain on any official maps, but that hasn’t stopped this spot becoming one of the hottest places for tourists to visit in Taiwan. An easy (if long) trail takes hikers up through pleasant forest to a summit with spectacular views of hills cloaked in shimmering grasses. Once you’ve made it to the top, it’s easy to see the appeal.

LUJIAOKENG ECOLOGICAL PROTECTED AREA and FENGLIN WATERFALL TRAIL (鹿角坑生態保護區/楓林瀑布)

Tucked into the northern folds of Yangmingshan National Park, Lujiaokeng Ecological Protection Area and Fenglin Waterfall can only be accessed by those who have applied for a permit. Don’t let that put you off though, this pretty trail involves lots of stream crossings and the remoteness means you’re all but guaranteed a quiet walk.

LONGYIN WATERFALL and SUSPENSION BRIDGE (龍吟瀑布/龍吟吊橋)

Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area—also known as Butterfly Valley—is a quiet tourist spot in Hualien. Visitors can enjoy the fresh air, take in the impressive river valley, walk the (almost too) exhilarating suspension bridge, and soak in the hot spring’s restorative waters.

SHUANGLIU WATERFALL TRAIL (雙流瀑布)

Shuangliu Waterfall Trail is one of several trails inside Shuangliu National Forest Recreation Area. It’s testament to the prettiness of the park that we had a great time despite never even making it as far as the waterfall itself. The trail is gentle, easy and has a couple of stepping stone trails that are great fun.

HOUDONGKENG WATERFALL (猴洞坑瀑布)

Hidden in the hills below Paoma Historic Trail is the split-level Houdongkeng Falls. This short walk is an easy way to pass an hour or two in Jiaoxi.

JINGYING WATERFALL and HOT SPRING (精英瀑布/精英溫泉)

This hard-to-reach spot in the middle of Nantou County offers two for the price of one. Here you’ll find both Jingying Waterfall and Jingying hot springs.

YOUKENG TRAIL and WATERFALL (幼坑步道/幼坑瀑布)

The hills sheltering the Pingxi Line are home to countless exciting trails and waterfalls. Perhaps one of the most spectacular amongst them is the many-leveled Youkeng Waterfall.

SHUISHANG WATERFALL and SESHUI FOREST TRAIL (水上瀑布/澀水森林步道)

Nantou’s Yuchi District is best known for being the home of Sun Moon Lake, but that’s far from the only beauty spot it boasts. This short and easy trail might not feature in the guidebooks, but it should do. Peaceful and pretty–the perfect place to pass an afternoon.

MENGHUAN FALLS (夢幻瀑布)

The hills rising to either side of the picturesque Pingxi Line are dotted with numerous mountain streams and waterfalls. Menghuan Waterfall is perhaps less well known than some of the others, but its secluded nature makes it a great spot to visit.

LINGJIAO and WANGGU WATERFALLS (嶺腳瀑布/望古瀑布)

The Lingjiao to Wanggu Trail packs an awful lot into its short length. You get not one, but two waterfalls, a dash of history and a trail that’s both pretty and gentle. It’s also short enough that you can combine it with a visit to some of the other sights and trails along the Pingxi Line.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: WANTAN HISTORIC TRAIL and BEISHI RIVER TRAIL (淡蘭古道：灣潭古道/三水潭/北勢溪古道)

The walk along Wantan Historic Trail and Beishi River Trail is soul-comforting waterside wander between villages in New Taipei’s sorely overlooked Shuangxi District. Bring a picnic and get ready to soak in some gently spectacular scenery.

CARP HILL (鯉魚山)

Carp Hill may not be the highest peak in Neihu District, nor does it have the prettiest scenery or most exciting walk. However it’s a good all-rounder and it can lay claim to being the route that I have walked the most. This is my go-to walk for when I’ve just got a couple of hours free and need to stretch my legs. It’s a great little workout, and it also has plenty to make it interesting time after time. There’s a lookout spot with views over Taipei, Neihu’s oldest Buddhist temple, a waterfall and a…

XIONG KONG NAN SHAN and YUNSEN FALLS (熊空南山/雲森瀑布)

This has definitely been one of my favourite hikes of the year. The walk starts with a reasonable climb through quiet and multi-layered forests to a peak that remained cool and breezy even in the summer heat. Then tracks down again to follow the playful Zhongkeng Stream as it spills and bounces it’s way through the valley. There are mountain views, grand waterfalls and even swimming holes to be enjoyed along the way. I will be adding this to my list of places to take visiting friends.