A hiker's guide to Taiwan's Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist attractions, and it’s easy to see why. This incredible stretch of natural beauty with its waterfalls and ravines is in itself quite spectacular, and when you add to that the sometimes precariously positioned temples, it’s a must-see for every visitor. But instead of following the same old route that the tour bus masses take each and every day, why not take a closer look at Taiwan’s most beautiful national park by exploring it on foot. You can visit the park any time of the year, but it’s worth noting that during typhoon season, which runs from May to September, the park authorities may close trails and sections of the park for safety reasons. If you want to check up on the status of a trail or area in the park, then take a look at the official Taroko National Park website where they post regular updates. Of course, this depends on where you’re coming from, but the vast majority of tourists make their way to the national park by private coach tour, scooter or public bus. The private tours aren’t really a good option if you’re going hiking, as they tend to follow strict timetables and don’t leave you much time for exploring. If you take the train to Hualien City, then it’s pretty easy to rent a scooter and head up towards the gorge yourself. You can stay in one of the hostels by the train station, many of which will even help you hire your scooter. The road on the way up to the gorge itself is a winding mountain road, so take your time and stay well clear of the tour buses. You could, of course, rent a car or drive on your own, but a scooter offers you a bit more freedom especially when it comes to parking. You can also take a bus from Hualien train station that runs directly to Taroko National Park Headquarters and then onto Tianxiang, which is right by the gorge. The bus to HQ takes about an hour, while it takes another 30 minutes to get to Tianxiang. Entrance to the park is free, so the only costs you need to consider are transport to Hualien, accommodation, food, and your scooter rental.