Explore the forest-embraced — Sinliao Waterfall Trail

The Sinliao Waterfall Trail is nestled in the Chungshan (中山) Village, Dongshan (冬山) Township of Yilan (宜蘭) County. The trail, developed and constructed by Luodong Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau, flows along the Sinliao Stream, a main upper stream of the Dongshan River, one of the biggest rivers in Yilan County.

The two-kilometer-long trail is now listed as a national trail. It takes about one hour to hike the entire trail. With beautiful landscapes, clear stream water, plentiful native-growing plants as well as easy access, Sinliao Waterfall Trail has become a generally popular walking path. It is always crowded with visitors.

The most attractive point of the trail is its waterfalls. There are about 10 waterfalls along the trail and three of them are big ones. At an especially large one, located at the end of the trail, there is a wooden viewing platform very near the waterfall. Visitors standing on the platform will be soaked by the waterfall's spray. Therefore, a raincoat and umbrella are necessary to view trail-end waterfall.

There is a checkpoint at the trailhead to block cars from entering and to count the number of visitors. There is a limit on the number of visitors each day, to maintain the quality of the trip and to protect the natural environment of the area.

Going up along the Sinliao Stream about 15 minutes, a dam comes into view. Many visitors take photos here. Continuing along the trail leads up to a fork. Most visitors take the left path (Line A) where a very spectacular waterfall comes out.

The waterfall, with a height of 30 meters, is the largest one in the area. There is a waterfall-viewing platform in front of it, where many visitors crowd to view the waterfall or take photos.

When the river flows down to an elevation of 250 meters, it plummets over a 30-meter cliff, forming the Sinliao Waterfall on its lowest reaches; in times of heavy rain the width of the waterfall spreads to five meters as it plunges into a deep blue pool that it has carved into the valley floor.

A suspension bridge named Feipu (飛瀑) Suspension Bridge, meaning “flying water bridge,” is just beside the platform. The one-lane bridge made of rope only allows six persons to stand on the bridge at the same time. Therefore, there is always a long lineup on both sides of the bridge.

Visitors who wish to see the trail end waterfall have to go up a 100-meter-high zigzag path where they may pass through a second rope-made suspension bridge. Some visitors give up on seeing the trail end waterfall because of the difficulty of the path.

On the way back, we took Line B which passes through a third suspension bridge.

The Dongshan River flows slowly through the glossy-green Langyang (蘭陽) Plain and into the Pacific Ocean. Upstream is the winding, forest-embraced Sinliao Stream. The flow here wends its gurgling way through the stones, and farther up is hidden the elegant Sinliao Waterfall where stream of white water drops into a pool of green with a thunder that echoes through the valley.

The trail with its abundance of subtropical rainforest plants and animals such as frogs, swarms of butterflies, dragonflies, and countless other forms of life is suitable for an eco-tour.

HOW TO GET THERE:

1. There is no public bus service to Sinliao Waterfall Trail.

2. Take the No. 5 Freeway (Taipei-Yilan Freeway 北宜高速公路) to Luodong (羅東) and leave the freeway at Luodong exit.

3. Drive straight and then turn right at Chengshing (成興) Road (Yi Rd. No. 30) to connect to Yi Cheng (義成) Road Sec. 1, then Pa Pao (八寶) Road, Chung Shan Road, to connect to Sinliao Road and then on to Sinliao Road Sec. 2.

4. The Sinliao Waterfall Trail is at the end of Sinliao Road Sec. 2.

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