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Outdoors

Taroko Gorge Walk Hike

The classic Taroko Gorge walk follows a path cut into the cliff above the clear Shakadang River, with close views of folded rock and river-valley plants, to the 3D Cabin (Sanjianwu) rest area. It is currently closed; the Dekalun Trail near the Taroko Visitor Center, which the park lists as open, is the nearest alternative.

For The Reps · Updated

hike scenery for Taroko Gorge Walk near Hualien
Photo: Taroko-Gorge Hualien Taiwan Cihmu-Bridge-at-Taroko-National-Park-01 by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Hualien, Taiwan
Distance
4.1 km one way to 3D Cabin (8.2 km return)
Time
3-4 hours return
Difficulty
Easy

Check before you go: The Shakadang Trail has been closed since the April 2024 earthquake, as have the Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Baiyang and Buluowan trails. The park lists the Dekalun Trail near the visitor centre as open. (as of September 30, 2026)

The route

Shakadang Trail along the Shakadang River to 3D Cabin (closed since the 2024 earthquake).

The trail starts under Shakadang Bridge on Provincial Highway 8, about 1 km (20 minutes on foot through the Shakadang Tunnel) from the Taroko National Park Visitor Center. Buses reach the Visitor Center from Hualien and Xincheng stations, but services between the Visitor Center and Tianxiang have been suspended since the earthquake.

Before you go

  • Check the park's Roads and Trails page on the day: on 30 September 2026 the Dekalun Trail was open, the Lushui Trail was open only to about the 250 m mark, and the Taroko Terrace Trail at the Visitor Center was partly open.
  • The Taroko Terrace Trail at the Visitor Center is about 1 km and 30 minutes, and you may see Formosan macaques there.
  • There are no toilets on the Shakadang Trail; use the ones at the car park.
  • If you drive into the gorge, Highway 8 west of the Taroko entrance opens only in set windows each day and closes from 18:30 to 06:30.

What to bring

  • Shoes with grip that you have already worn in
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Food you will actually want to eat
  • A warm or waterproof layer
  • The route, saved offline
  • Sun cream and a hat

Getting ready for it

If your longest walk lately is under two hours, do a few longer walks first, ideally with some climbing and the pack you will carry.

Step-ups and lunges twice a week make the descents much easier on your knees.

Staying safe

  • The Shakadang, Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou), Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong), Baiyang and Buluowan trails were all listed as closed on 30 September 2026 after damage from the 3 April 2024 earthquake.
  • The park warns that earthquake-damaged mountain roads are prone to falling rocks, especially in heavy or prolonged rain.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
  • Turn around if the weather turns or the footing gets sketchy. The trail will still be there.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against taroko.gov.tw, taroko.gov.tw, taroko.gov.tw, en.wikipedia.org and taiwanobsessed.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.