River traces around North Taiwan

1. Nate Ball

   River:

   寶里苦溪 / Bǎo lǐ kǔ xī

   Area:

   Taoyuan

   Region:

   North

   Start:

   24.71705, 121.34686

   Challenging and adventurous to get to the end, otherwise a very short trace. Super fun: absolutely packed with waterfalls, pools, and slides. Increases in difficulty quickly, with ropes beginning at the first of six major waterfalls. Very steep climbs on dubious ropes with loose rocks. Rock climbing experience and a very early start recommended to f ... ully enjoy. I made a spreadsheet of the best river traces in northern Taiwan, check it out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15QNhE9z3lhwz33C6V4P11dljPzWafFGKowzTi9Wrkjg

   

   Posted Nov 10, 2025
2. Nate Ball

   River:

   宇內溪 / Yunei river

   Area:

   Taoyuan

   Region:

   North

   Start:

   24.79085, 121.39419

   Start by following a short trail to the wonderful "Yunei Waterslide". This requires a short swim to access, but contains two slides and a huge pool. Beyond this, you'll find several smaller pools and falls along a relatively flat section. At a split, you'll find more nice pools. Going left (main stream) is unknown (probably flatter), whereas going r ... ight requires a short climb and then steeper tracing to an amazing waterfall grotto. I made a spreadsheet of the best river traces in northern Taiwan, check it out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15QNhE9z3lhwz33C6V4P11dljPzWafFGKowzTi9Wrkjg

   

   Posted Nov 10, 2025
3. Nate Ball

   River:

   半屏溪 / Bàn píng xī

   Area:

   Keelung

   Region:

   North

   Start:

   25.12228, 121.87934

   Also known as Dagui Waterfall (大鬼瀑布), the destination waterfall and pool. Most people stop here, though it is passable - quite treacherous if there is no rope. There is an extremely tall waterfall much further past this. There are trails on the west side you can take to return (passing abandoned buildings) if you don't want to return in the water, t ... hough you will have to drop back into the concrete trough at the end to get out. Often has better weather in early summer than Yangmingshan and Wulai. I made a spreadsheet of the best river traces in northern Taiwan, check it out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15QNhE9z3lhwz33C6V4P11dljPzWafFGKowzTi9Wrkjg

   

   Posted Nov 10, 2025
4. Nate Ball

   River:

   斯其野溪 / Siqiye creek

   Area:

   Taipei

   Region:

   North

   Start:

   24.79561, 121.49320

   Strenuous but worth it! There is a split at 0.67km where you can go left or right. Explore both! Left is easier and right is harder, and may include steep climbs requiring a rope. There are sections where you can escape the canyon via dirt paths, and others with vertical walls on both sides. Not a place you want to be in a rain storm. If you find th ... e trail back to the start, it comes out in someone's property with a locked gate; drop back down to the creek when you can. I made a spreadsheet of the best river traces in northern Taiwan, check it out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15QNhE9z3lhwz33C6V4P11dljPzWafFGKowzTi9Wrkjg

   

   Posted Nov 10, 2025
5. Nate Ball

   River:

   頭前溪 / Touqian creek

   Area:

   Taipei

   Region:

   North

   Start:

   25.16943, 121.62079

   Quite popular! Return via Lukuping (鹿堀坪) trail. A very dense but short trace: gets steep quick, has several deep pools and waterfalls, and one steep but easy climb. Can be linked with other hikes around Lukuping and Fushiping. I made a spreadsheet of the best river traces in northern Taiwan, check it out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/ ... d/15QNhE9z3lhwz33C6V4P11dljPzWafFGKowzTi9Wrkjg

   

   Posted Nov 10, 2025