Xiao Zhuilu Trail: Experience the Fun of Nature

Recreational service points and all trails within Taroko National Park remain closed. Opening hours will be announced separately. ※For details, please refer to Taroko National Park. Taroko National Park is home to numerous trails, each with its own unique characteristics. Among them, the "youngest," the "Xiao Zhuilu Trail," is not only easily accessible and not difficult, but also boasts highly distinctive scenery along its route, making it very suitable as the first stop on your Taroko itinerary. The Xiao Zhuilu Trail was completed in 2014, but shortly after its completion, it was damaged by a typhoon. It reopened after repairs, and is a scenic trail with a total length of 650 meters. Visitors can start their walk from the Taroko Visitor Center, enter the Shakadang Tunnel, and reach the trail just outside the east ventilation shaft. The entire walk takes approximately 25 minutes. The terrain along the trail is varied, featuring wooden ladder boardwalks, flat forest paths, and a popular "boardwalk suspension bridge." **Steel Cable Suspension Bridge – Challenging** The Xiao Zhuilu Trail was originally a mountain path used by the Truku indigenous people to travel between the Taroko Plateau and Shakadang. It was named for its cliff terrain, similar to the "Zhuilu Old Trail." The trail is located in a broadleaf forest on the northern slope of the Liwu River. The scenery along the way mainly features the downstream views of the Liwu River, with the marble cliffs on the left retaining rich biodiversity; macaques can often be seen leaping among them, along with various other wild animals and plants. Besides overlooking the wide riverbed of the lower Liwu River, visitors can also gaze at the Taroko Archway and Jinwen Bridge in the distance. The most special feature, of course, is the boardwalk suspension bridge located in the middle section of the trail, spanning a "dry streambed." The bridge is constructed from steel cables and thick ropes, wide enough for only one person to pass at a time. Visitors must use both hands and feet to maintain balance, as if walking on a tightrope. It's thrilling but not dangerous, offering a unique and fun experience, making it a must-try for visitors. However, if you are truly afraid of heights, don't worry – there is also a "normal version" flat iron bridge nearby for passage. **Trail Walking: Healthy and Environmentally Friendly** The trail follows the bank of the Liwu River, and after traversing gentle undulations, its endpoint is located beneath the large red Shakadang Bridge, connecting to the Shakadang Trail. Visitors can continue onward to experience the grand rock cliffs and varied textured scenery of the Shakadang Stream. The Shakadang Trail is very popular with tourists due to its distinctive canyon landscape and the shade it provides from the summer sun, but this popularity also makes parking difficult. The opening of the Xiao Zhuilu Trail, on one hand, alleviates the parking problem for the Shakadang Trail, and on the other hand, allows visitors to continue exploring the beautiful scenery along the Liwu River. The Xiao Zhuilu Trail has an extremely low difficulty level, making it suitable for the general public. As winter gives way to spring, new greenery emerges in the forest, allowing visitors to absorb phytoncides along the way and observe wild bird ecology. It aligns with the healthy concept of low-carbon environmental protection and is an excellent way to explore Taroko.