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Xiaozhuilu Trail

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  • Last Updated:2024-02-22
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  • Jiu Xiong Autumn Color(.jpg)
  • A corner of Xiaozhulu footpath(.jpg)
  • A view of the suspension bridge(.jpg)
  • Xiaozhuilu Trail  Map(.jpg)
  • A view of the suspension bridge(.jpg)
  • suspension bridge(.jpg)
  • Liwu River(.jpg)
  • Road to Shakadang(.jpg)
  • Overlooking the Liwu River(.jpg)
  • East End Trail Entrance (East Vent)(.jpg)
  • Entrance to the east end of Shakadang Tunnel(.jpg)
  • East end plank road(.jpg)
  • Overlooking Danjue Mountain (suspension bridge)(.jpg)
  •  Viewing platform(.jpg)
  • West Vent Woodland(.jpg)
  • Viewing platform overlooking the pavilion mouth(.jpg)
  • Flase Indian Almond(.jpg)
Information
ManagementSuhua Service Station
Trail LevelGrade 2
Altitude60Meter
The length of the trail1050Meter
Needed time 40 minutes one way
Remark1. Walking from Taroko National Park Headquarters Visitor Center about 100 m and going straight west on the first fork about 100 m, then cross the road and follow up the wooden plank to the left outside stair of the Shakadang tunnel. You will start the east section trail of the Xiaozhuilu Trail.
2. East section 0-450 meter, east to west one-way traffic, the terrain is steep. The elderly and children with poor physical fitness should avoid entering.
3. West section 450- 1050 meter. This trail west end is connecting the Shakadang trail under the Shakadang bridge.
4. The trail has a lot of planks and stairs. This trail is slippery when wet. This area is susceptible to rockfalls. Please watch out for falling rock, slippery steps and be careful.
AddressMAP
Phone Number03-8621100 Ext. 321、322

Note: The Shakadang Trail extends beyond the Xiaozhuilu Trail below the Shakadang Bridge. 

Trail Introduction
Xiaozhuilu ("Little Zhuilu") Trail is on the slope next to the lower reaches of the Liwu River outside Shakadang Tunnel. Xiaozhuilu Trail was built by Taroko National Park Headquarters. Taking Xiaozhuilu Trail from Taroko Terrace, the entrance to Xiaozhuilu Trail can be directly reached and then Shakadang Trail walked on. The entrance to Xiaozhuilu Trail is on the left of the Shakadang Tunnel's east entrance; setting off from Taroko National Park Headquarters Visitor Center (Taroko Terrace), enter the left outside of the Shakadang Tunnel and walk along the steep (with stairways) terrain for about 450 meter. The East section 450 meter, east to west one-way traffic only, the terrain is rather steep. The elderly and children with poor physical fitness should avoid entering. After about 450 meters, the eastern ventilation opening of the Shakadang tunnel will be reached; the west section (450-1050 m) trail is connected.

                            Xiaozhuilu Trail  Map

Scenery and ecology
Entering the second section trail, a wooden plank path winds along the steep slope beside the Liwu River. To the east there are cliffs. On one side of the trail is the Liwu River gorge, on the other the forest growing on the steep cliff. The trail passes through dense trees; in a few places not covered by trees, the wide river bed of the lower reaches of the Liwu River can be seen, as can the arch gate that marks the start of the Central Cross-Island Highway and Jinwen Bridge that spans the Liwu River.

                   Scenery and ecology

On the middle of section of the trail there is a suspension bridge over a dry creek ditch. Not long after crossing this bridge, the trail flattens out and then the west ventilation opening of Shakadang Tunnel is reached. Outside the ventilation opening the ground is flat and Taiwan zelkova (Zelkova serrata), Subcostate Crape Myrtle (Lagerstoemia subcostata Koehne), Griffiths Ash (Fraxinus formosana Hayata) and Odourbark Cinnamomum (Cinnamomum insularimontanum Hay) grow, making it a good shaded place to rest awhile. Going west from the ventilation opening, the trail widens and zigzags down, reaching a point below Shakadang Bridge, joining Shakadang Trail.

From the eastern entrance of Xiaozhuilu Trail cliff terrain that resembles Zhuilu Cliff can be seen, which is why Xiaozhuilu (Little Zhuilu) was so named. From the trail, the beautiful river gorge of the lower reaches of the Liwu River can be viewed. The vegetation along the trail is also well worth observing. As Shakadang Trail has limited parking spaces, walking from Taroko Terrace along Xiaozhuilu Trail to Shakadang Trail not only offers an additional opportunity to get close to nature, it also reduces the difficulty of finding a parking space. 

Travel focal points

First stop: Xiaozhuilu Cliff

As soon as the trail starts, on the left side there is a towering marble cliff, this is the sheer Xiaozhuilu Cliff. Looking to the east, the arch marking the start of the Central Cross-Island Highway can clearly be seen, as can Jinwen Bridge spanning the Liwu River.

                     Xiaozhuilu Cliff

Second stop: Little suspension bridge
The wooden plank path is built along the slope on the north bank of the Liwu River, steps climbing up through dense broadleaf forest. Before too long there is a little suspension bridge over a dry creek ditch that is fun to cross.

                    Little suspension bridge

Third stop: Viewing platform
A short distance after crossing the little suspension bridge, where the land flattens out, there is a viewing platform that offers views out over the winding lower reaches of the Liwu River and Taroko entrance. At the side of the viewing platform is the west ventilation opening of Shakadang Tunnel. Outside the ventilation opening is a flat terrace on which Taiwan zelkova, Subcostate Crape Myrtle, Griffith's Ash and Odourbark Cinnamomum grow, offering shade if you want to take a rest.

                                    Viewing platform

Fourth stop: Entrance to Shakadang Trail
Continuing on from the viewing platform, the trail is wide and lined by dense forest. After a few turns, the entrance to Shakadang Trail is reached; from here, Shakadang Trail can be explored or you can go up the steps and return to the highway. 

                                      Entrance to Shakadang Trail

Service Facitilies
Visitor Center. Service Station. Police Station. Shop. Food and Drink. Public Restroom. Parking Lot. Viewing Deck. Bus Station. Message board.
Traffic Information
BikeNo bicycle is allowed to enter this trail. The wooden plank steep staircases are along this trail. You could park your bicycle at the Taroko National Park Headquarters visitor center parking lot.
Bus1. From Hualien Station, take buses Tianxiang-1133, or Lishan-1141, Taroko-1129, or TaiwanTrip Ubus 310 bound for Tianxiang, and alight at Taroko National Park Headquarters visitor center (national park Headquarters administrative office).
2. From Xincheng Station, take Taroko Bus 302 or take buses 310 or 1133 bus bound for Tianxiang, and alight at Taroko National Park Headquarters visitor center.
3. From Tianxiang: Take buses 302, 1133, or 310 (bound for Hualien or Xincheng), and alight at Taroko National Park Headquarters visitor center.
4. Bus schedules are available from #iBus Info System, and please check Route Search> Search by Bus Operator> UBus #310, 1133, 1129 or Taroko Bus 302 or Hualien Bus 1141.
5. Please consult News > FAQ on our website. Check for “ Transportation: Where can I purchase day passes for buses to Taroko National Park?.”
DrivingTake Provincial Highway 8 (near at 184.5 km highway marker) or Provincial Highway 9 to Taroko Terrace (Taroko National Park Headquarters Visitor Center).
ParkingMotorcycle, car, and bus parking are available at either the Taroko National Park Visitor Center or at the west end left parking lot of the Shakadang Bridge (car park only.) Bus parking is available on the left side in the Xila'an Tunnel (connecting the west side of the Shakadang Bridge).