Dongshan trail guide
Xinliao Waterfall Trail guide: first waterfall, route and transport
Xinliao Waterfall Trail in Dongshan, Yilan follows a forested creek valley. For a first visit, make the first waterfall your main goal and check the latest trail notice before setting out.
Temporary entrance caution
Before your first visit
- Main goal
- The first waterfall and its viewing area
- Reference distance
- About 0.9 km one way from the entrance to the first waterfall
- Time to allow
- About 60–90 minutes, an itinerary estimate including stops and the return walk
- Underfoot
- The first section is gentler, but natural surfaces, gravel and damp patches can be slippery
- Second waterfall
- Do not assume it is reachable; check the same-day notice at the entrance
Current reminder
Temporary entrance caution
There is a current warning about bee activity near the entrance. Keep your distance, pass through promptly and check the latest trail status.
Route and scenery
The simplest first visit follows the shaded creek valley to the first waterfall and returns the same way. Older distances should not be combined into one supposed current route.
Main walking sequence
- 1
Trail entrance
Read the entrance notice and any same-day controls before starting.
- 2
Shaded creek section
Follow Xinliao Creek and watch for gravel, roots and damp ground.
- 3
First waterfall
Pause in the main viewing area and stay behind barriers and away from fast water.
- 4
Return the same way
Allow time for the walk back and any entrance queue; the second waterfall is not a required stop.
Why do different trail distances appear online?
Sources use different dates, one-way or return measurements, endpoints and open sections. For a first visit, use the current tourism reference of about 0.9 km one way to the first waterfall rather than inventing one definitive total.
Transport and parking
Mountain bus services and site controls can change, so allow time for walking, waiting and finding a parking space.
Driving and Google Maps
Navigate to the verified official attraction coordinate, then follow road and on-site signs as you enter the mountain area.
Open the attraction locationBus 281 plus walking
Take route 281 from Luodong Transfer Station to Ren Shan Botanical Garden stop, then walk about 2.2 km. Check live service information and plan the return before leaving.
Check live route 281 informationParking reminder
The official attraction page lists parking, but the current fee, capacity and fixed opening hours are not confirmed. Follow signs on arrival.
Families and safety
A gentler first section does not make the entire trail step-free. Choose a turnaround point based on weather, surfaces and each traveller's walking ability.
Children
Best for children who can walk independently and follow creek-safety instructions. Keep an adult close near water and steps.
Older travellers
Use the first waterfall as the turnaround goal and slow down on wet ground and steps.
Pushchairs and wheelchairs
Natural surfaces, gravel and later steps mean continuous access cannot be guaranteed; assess another plan if step-free access is essential.
After rain and temporary hazards
Stay away from fast water after rain. If the entrance has an insect or other temporary warning, keep your distance and follow staff or signs.
Before setting out
- Wear shoes with reliable grip and slow down on wet stone and leaf litter.
- Carry drinking water and manage heat and sun exposure.
- Cancel the walk during heavy rain or typhoons, or when the creek becomes murky or rises quickly.
- The creek and waterfall pool are not lifeguarded; do not treat them as swimming areas or leave the trail.
- Keep pets leashed or contained, remove waste and prevent contact with wildlife.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk Xinliao Waterfall Trail now?
Check the latest Forestry trail page and the entrance notice before travel. Restrictions can differ by section, so choose your turnaround point from that day's information.
How far and how long is the walk to the first waterfall?
The main current reference is about 0.9 km one way from the entrance. Allowing 60–90 minutes gives room for stops and the return, but this is a planning estimate rather than an official time guarantee.
Can I continue to the second waterfall?
Do not assume so. The route becomes steeper with more steps after the first waterfall, and access should be decided from the same-day trail and entrance notices.
Why are several trail distances published?
They refer to different dates, one-way or return travel, endpoints and open sections. Use the current first-waterfall reference for a first visit instead of combining the figures.
Is there parking, and is there a fee?
The official attraction page lists parking, but no consistent current fee, capacity or fixed hours could be confirmed. Read the signs when you arrive.
How do I use bus 281?
Take route 281 from Luodong Transfer Station toward Ren Shan Botanical Garden. From that stop, the trail entrance is still about a 2.2 km walk, so check the day's service and your return connection.
Is it suitable for children, seniors, pushchairs or wheelchairs?
Children who walk independently and active older travellers may choose the first waterfall as their goal, with care on wet ground. Natural surfaces and steps mean pushchair and wheelchair access is not assured throughout.
Can I bring a pet, enter the water or visit after rain?
Pets must be secured and their waste removed. Avoid the trail when water is fast, murky or rising after rain, and do not treat the natural creek as a lifeguarded swimming area.
Last updated August 1, 2026