Hiking activities in Taiwan
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Hiking in Chaishan Nature Reserve
Within Kaohsiung City there is good hiking in the 1000-hectare Chaishan Nature Reserve, which has been preserved since Japanese times. There's a decent brochure and map of the area at the tourist office. The Chaishan reserve is famous for its macaque population, so don't carry food into the area and watch out that the monkeys don't steal your camera!
On weekends and holidays you can take the Chaishan Line bus to the reserve from the train station. On weekdays take bus 248 to Yancheng Station (鹽埕站) then change to bus 219 to Longcyuan Temple (龍泉寺). The trails start behind the temple.
Just walking around the university and getting lost in the hills is pleasant…
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Dali-Datung Trail
The Shakadang Trail officially ends at 3D Cabin but if you have permits you can continue on the Dali-Datung Trail, leading to Dali and Datung, two isolated Atayal villages. At the time of writing, the trails were getting new signs and being made more accessible and clear, and should be ready for hiking by the time you read this. Maps should be available at the park headquarters. Apply for permits at the police station by the park headquarters. The trail should take about seven to eight hours return.
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Huoran Pavilion Trail
The Huoran Pavilion Trail is short but steep, gaining 400m in elevation in 1.9km. The trail leads to Huoran Pavilion, which has fantastic views of the Liwu River and Tienhsiang. Note that the trail turns into a slippery mess when it rains and is best avoided at these times. Landslides occasionally close the area, so check with the National Park Headquarters before starting out. The trail starts off the road on the way up to the Youth Activity Centre.
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Lotus Pond
At the Jiumei (Chiumei) suspension bridge there is a 4.3km side trail to Lotus Pond, a former farming area now reverting to its natural state. It is a three-hour return hike from the suspension bridge to Lotus Pond.
You can camp at Plum Garden and Bamboo Village, but make sure you ask the park for permission first.
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Tunnel of Nine Turns
The Tunnel of Nine Turns is actually a 2km section of the original highway through the park. In the early '90s, the highway was diverted to leave this section - the most scenic in the entire gorge - open to walkers. Don't miss this one!
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