Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Yànzǐ Kǒu Bùdào, Yanzikou)
Along this half kilometre slice of the old highway (starting at
Km178), the gorge twists and towers in one of its most colourful and narrow sections.
It's a superb location for taking pictures. It's best to visit here before noon as tour buses
literally fill the entire stretch later in the day.
If you are driving be aware that you can only proceed in a westerly direction. There's
parking at the far end.
Tunnels of Nine Turns
SCENIC AREA
MAP
(Jiǔ Qū Dòng)
One of the most famous sights in the park, this 2km long pedestrian tunnel
opens strategically to great masses of sublimely colourful stone walls. At the time of
writing, however, access was closed due to heavy rockfall damage. There was no word
on when it would reopen.
Jhuilu (Zhuilu) Old Trail
HIKING
(Zhuī Lù Gǔ Dào)
One of the most spectacular of the accessible hiking paths in Taiwan, the
10.3km Jhuilu Old Trail (aka the Vertigo Trail) follows the last long remaining section of
the Old Hehuan Mountain Rd. Justifiably famous in hiking circles, the trail gets its name
from the section of the 1100m-high Jhuilu Cliff it traverses about 500m above the Liwu
River.
At its narrowest and most exposed points, the trail is no more than 60cm to 70cm wide
and is literally cut into the cliff face. The bird's-eye view of the gorge is spellbinding,
and there are numerous now classic spots for taking photos showing you in the seem-
ingly most precarious of positions.
The trail begins at Zimu (Cihmu) Bridge (Km172) and runs east along the north wall
of the gorge before recrossing at Swallow Grotto (Km178). You need about seven hours
to complete the full route. At the time of writing, only the last 3km of the route were
open and hikers began at Swallow Grotto. There was no word on when the full route
would reopen.
Applications for Zhuilu must be made at least a week in advance. See the park website
for instructions.
Lüshui-Heliu Trail
HIKING
(Lǜshuǐ-Héliú Bùdào)
Part of the Old Hehuan Mountain Rd, this 2km trail runs above the
highway along a cliff, with fantastic views of the Liwu River. Think of it as the Jhuilu
Old Trail for the faint of heart. The trails starts behind a building to the right at Km170.7.
