2.8 Thousand
Zhuilu Old Road: A breathtaking cliff trail in Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan’s premier national parks.
Zhuilu offers an amazing hiking experience with the perfect balance of challenge and breathtaking views, making it one of my top picks in Asia.
Plan this hike on a budget and the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile!
This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!
The Evolution of the Trail
Zhuilu originally served as a hunting trail for indigenous tribes in Taiwan during the 1800s, providing access to remote jungle areas for hunting wild boar and other animals.
The original trail was just 30 centimeters (1 foot) wide! In the early 1900s, Japanese colonizers found the path and employed local indigenous slave labor to widen it. They used hand tools and dynamite, facing great danger to expand the trail to its current width.
Remnants of Japanese Influence Found at Zhuilu, Including Buddhist Statue in Rock Tunnel.
The Japanese utilized the trail for transportation and moving weapons until the conclusion of World War II. Following this, the Zhuilu trail transformed into a multi-day hiking route for Taiwanese people. Presently, the majority of the trail is closed due to rockfalls, restricting it to a single-day hike.
Zhuilu is well-known around the world for providing breathtaking views of Taroko Gorge, featuring a steep cliff that allows you to gaze directly into the valley 500 meters below — a drop taller than the Taipei 101 skyscraper!
What You Can Anticipate on the Zhuilu Old Trail
Zhuilu offers a moderately challenging hike spanning 3 kilometers (2 miles) in each direction, totaling 6 kilometers (4 miles).
The trail is a round trip, taking approximately 2 hours to ascend and 1.5 hours to descend, possibly longer for less experienced hikers. There are no technical skills required.
Prepare for a Challenging Hike: The Initial 2.5 Kilometers of the Trail Require a Steady Climb Out of the Jungle and Up the Mountain. Don’t Forget to Bring Ample Water for This Section.
Enjoy the beautiful jungle scenery with occasional views of the mountain tops peeking through the trees, as well as several bridge crossings and the occasional cave or tunnel.
The most exciting part of the trail is the final 500 meters, which takes you along a narrow path on the edge of the cliff. Despite the intimidating cliff, the path is actually wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
In summary, it’s a relatively safe hike as long as you exercise caution and stay focused. Once you reach the end, there’s a pleasant, level resting spot where you can enjoy your snacks and beverages before heading back.
Enter Here
Zhuilu Old Trail permits entry only during the hours of 7 AM to 10 AM.
Why is this rule so strict? I don’t understand the reason behind it. In theory, you could begin the hike at noon and still finish in a reasonable amount of time.
You must check out of the trail before 5 PM to ensure the safety of all hikers and account for everyone by the end of the day.
Permits Granted
A hiking permit is necessary for accessing Zhuilu Old Road.
Don’t be discouraged, as getting permits from the Taiwan national parks website is quite simple.
Make sure to apply in advance as the number of available slots per day is limited and they tend to sell out. The park staff will verify this at the gated suspension bridge entrance to the trail, so it’s essential to have it.
A limit of 96 permits is issued on weekdays, and 156 on weekends, including Friday. This trail is in high demand and has narrow sections, so the permit system is in place to manage crowd size and ensure safety. This system is effective for maintaining a safe and enjoyable trail experience.
Once your application is approved, you will receive an email notification, most likely within 24 hours. Afterward, you will be required to print 2 copies of the PDF and bring cash to settle the park staff fees upon arrival at the trailhead. While it is recommended to bring your passport, a photo of it sufficed for us.
Costs and Charges
Here are the existing permit fees for the year 2020.
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- Ticket Prices:
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- – Adults: $200 NTD (approximately $7 USD)
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- – Children aged 6-12: $100 NTD
- – Children under 5: Free admission
Navigating to Your Destination
Zhuilu Old Trail forms a section of Taroko Gorge National Park, located in eastern Taiwan.
The trail begins adjacent to the entrance of the Swallow Grotto trail (Yanzikou).
Pass through the gate (park staff will unlock it for you), walk across the large suspension bridge over the marble river gorge, and then you’re on your way!
Hualien: A Traveler’s Guide
Explore the Ideal Day Trip to the Zhuilu Trail from Hualien City in Eastern Taiwan.
How to Travel to Hualien from Taipei on a Budget
I suggest spending a few nights in Hualien to explore the area and also take the time to see all that Taroko Gorge has to offer. It’s a beautiful and scenic area with plenty of dining and accommodation options in Hualien.
Taroko Gorge Shuttle Bus Service
The most efficient method for traveling from Hualien city to the Zhuilu trailhead is by bus.
Board the Taroko 1133A bus at Hualien Station and alight at the Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) stop. The bus station is located in the bright orange building next to the entrance of Hualien Train Station.
Hualien Bus Station Departure Times in English Translation
- Schedule for the day: 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:10 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:10 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:20 PM, 2:10 PM, 3:10 PM
Consider the time restrictions for entering the Zhuilu trail and the approximately 1-hour bus ride from Hualien to the Yanzikou trailhead. This means that the most practical departure times for hiking the Zhuilu trail are 7:00 and 8:30. I suggest aiming for the 7:00 departure time, as it allows for the possibility of catching the 8:30 bus if necessary.
Upon boarding the bus or visiting the bus station, you will receive a Taroko Gorge pamphlet containing the complete 1133A timetable in English. Surprisingly, this information is not available online in English, only in Chinese. However, having the pamphlet in your possession will help everything become clearer.
You can purchase a day pass for the bus at the bus station, 7-11, or FamilyMart in Taiwan for $250 NTD ($8 USD). We got ours at 7-11 the day before our hike, and it covered all of our bus expenses for the day we hiked Zhuilu. Alternatively, you can pay with EasyCard or cash on the bus.
When is the optimal time to visit?
The optimal period to explore Hualien and Taroko Gorge is during the winter season, spanning from November to April. This timeframe typically sees reduced rainfall and daytime temperatures averaging a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 C).
Summer months are also suitable, but expect higher temperatures and humidity as they will be above 80 F (27 C).
Wishing you safe and enjoyable travels!
Our Accommodation
We enjoyed our stay at Xiong Zhi Mi B&B in Hualien city for the affordable price of $900 NTD ($30 USD) per night.
We got a clean double room with a private bathroom and cold A/C for this price. It also came with free breakfast (and free cookies from the friendly staff!) and there are plenty of great restaurants nearby.
The train station is conveniently located within a 15-minute walking distance, and alternative transportation options such as hailing a taxi or renting a scooter are also available. It is recommended to monitor room prices for potential fluctuations and to take advantage of any good deals that may arise.