Climbing a waterfall, personal image

What is River Tracing?

River tracing, also known as river tracing, is a thrilling outdoor activity that combines hiking, climbing, swimming, and scrambling upstream through rivers. It’s one of Taiwan’s most unique and immersive ways to experience nature.

Table of Contents

1. River Tracing vs. Canyoning
2. What to Bring
3. Best Seasons and Weather Conditions
4. Top River Tracing Spots in Taiwan
5. Sample River Tracing Events
6. Final Tips

River Tracing vs. Canyoning

• River Tracing: Upstream movement, emphasis on hiking, bouldering, swimming and wading. Usually less gear-intensive.
• Canyoning: Downstream, often includes rappelling, technical rope work, and waterfalls.

What to Bring

Essentials:

• River tracing shoes
• Sunscreen
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Life jacket (if not a strong swimmer)
• Dry bag
• Snacks and water
• Trace buddies (never river trace alone)

Optional:

• Wetsuit or rash guard
• Waterproof phone case or action camera
• Personal Touch: small portable tea set & hot water thermus
• Small bluetooth speaker (just don’t disturb other tracers)

Rent/Buy Locations:
Gear Rental: For those who need to rent river tracing gear, check out these stores:
Blue Puffy
https://bluepuffy1990.pixnet.net/blog/post/13754758
Bicycle Hill
https://bicyclehill.pixnet.net/blog

You can also purchase gear from:
Decathlon
https://decathlon.tw
台北山水戶外休閒用品專門店
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UiUMDUHdoHwZqLDm7
Prince Outdoor
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uWjb964GUeuEyZQY9

Sample Packing List
Bag 1:

• River tracing shoes
• Plastic bag to carry them in. No holes.
  Bag 2:
• Water proof bag
• Workout shorts
• Shirt, type depends on prefernce. Some people prefer thick to preserve heat, I prefer a thin long sleeve shirt to protect from sun.
• Slippers, was to pack while river tracing
• Water (1L)
• Two rice balls or your preferred lunch
• Back up clothes (keep it small and easy to pack)
  When you’re about to hike, you can switch from slippers to river tracing shoes, then pack bag 1 in bag 2.

Best Seasons and Weather Conditions

• Best time: April to October
• Avoid: Typhoons, recent heavy rains, thunderstorm, or earthquake warnings due to flash flood and landslide risks
• Ideal weather: Warm, overcast or sunny with low chance of rain

Top River Tracing Spots in Taiwan

• Sister Waterfalls - 姐妹瀑布
• Hong He Valley – 紅河谷
• Neidong Creek – 內洞溪
• Sanzhan River – 三棧溪
• Baibao Stream – 白鮑溪
• Golden Gorge – 黃金峽谷
• Wenshan Wild Hot Springs – 文山野溪溫泉
• Jiajiuliao Waterfall – 吉利瀑布
• Nanzilin Trail – 南子林步道
• Baxian Waterfall – 八仙瀑布
• Mukumugi / Rongshu River – 木瓜溪 / 榕樹
• Banping River Mouth – 半屏溪出海口
• Fan Waterfall – 梵瀑布
• Jinyue Falls – 金岳瀑布
• Butterfly Valley – 蝴蝶谷
• Xiuluan Battleship Rock – 秀巒 軍艦岩
• Kalamoji Trail – 卡拉莫基步道

Sample River Tracing Events

🔹 Mukumugi River Tracing (木瓜溪溯溪)

Meet at Hualien Station, 8:00 AM. Trace through clear pools and smooth boulders. Back by 4:30 PM.

🔹 Golden Gorge (黃金峽谷)

Meet at Hualien Station, 7:30 AM. Trace into a narrow canyon with ropes and deep pools. Return by 4:00 PM.

🔹 Jiajiuliao Waterfall (吉利瀑布)

A lovely introductory river trace to the famous Jia Jiu Liao waterslide. We will meet at 9am to take the 9.13 bus (No. 849) from Xindian MRT station, arriving at Jia Jiu Liao at 9.51.

🔹 Butterfly Valley (蝴蝶谷)

Meet at Hualien Station, 8:00 AM. Leisure trace in a biodiverse forest reserve. Finish by 3:00 PM.

🔹 Wenshan Wild Hot Springs (文山野溪溫泉)

Meet at Tianxiang Visitor Center, 8:30 AM. Light trace followed by a hot spring soak. Return by 2:00 PM.

🔹 Hong He Valley (紅河谷)

Meet at Xindian MRT at 8:30 AM to take No. 849 to Wulai. Shallow rapids and jungle pools perfect for beginners. Back by 3:00 PM.

Sister Waterfall (姊妹瀑布)

We’ll meet at DingPu Metro Station, Exit 4, at 8:30 AM. From there, a scheduled taxi will take us to the Xiongkong bus stop, where we’ll start our journey. The taxi fare is approximately $700 one way. We plan to reach the trailhead before 9:30 AM and begin tracing before 10:00 AM.
Our first stop will be the stunning Sister Waterfall. After getting wet and snapping some photos, we’ll trace up to the breathtaking Cloud and Forest Waterfall (Yunsen Waterfall). The trace will take around 2-3 hours, and we should arrive at the waterfall before 1:00 PM, where we’ll enjoy a lunch break in front of the falls.
By 2:00 PM, we’ll start walking back to the parking area, which will take 30 minutes to an hour. After changing into dry clothes, our taxi will pick us up at 3:30 PM, and we’ll head back to DingPu Metro Station, arriving before 4:30 PM.
This is a beginner-friendly river tracing event, but it does require basic fitness. If you’re new to river tracing, please consult with me before signing up! River tracing shoes are a MUST. If you’re not a confident swimmer, please consider renting a life jacket. Helmets is also recommended.
Before setting off, please check Facebook in the morning for any last-minute updates or cancellations.

Waterfall information:
Sister Waterfall
https://hopout.com.tw/location/taipei-sisters-waterfall
Cloud and Forest Waterfall (Yunsen Waterfall)
https://hopout.com.tw/location/taipei-yunsen-waterfall

Big Ghost Watefall (大鬼瀑布)

We will be taking local train #4022 to Ruifang. It leaves Taipei at 8:29AM, please aim to be at Taipei Station at 8:00AM. The train arrives in Ruifang at 9:18AM.
The taxi fare is 320NT single trip from Ruifang Train Station to the trailhead. We will ask the drivers to come and pick us up after the trace. Please prepare small change to share the fees with other tracers.
The trace itself is fairly easy. We will trace towards Dagui Waterfall and maybe Xiaogui Waterfall. We’ll take it slow and enjoy the water and the day out. You will need FELT SOLE river tracing shoes for the event. Helmets and gloves are recommended.
Please do check Facebook in the morning before setting off for any last minute communication/cancellation.
Pack a lunch as there’s not much to buy in the area. We will find a place near the waterfall to eat before heading back. I hope to back in Taipei by 5pm but the return time is a guesstimate. Bring: water (>1L)/ River shoes/ Lunch/ (optional: swimming goggles, helmet)

Common Mistakes

Avoid getting yourself in trouble and avoid these common mistakes:
Bring sweets!
Now’s not the time to worry about gaining weight. River tracing requires a lot of concentration, core, and fine motor control at all times. This leads to mental and physical exhaustion. Make sure to bring enough food and carbohydrates to power you through the trip.
有備無患 Overpack
A change in conditions could lead to a change in your gear requirements. Because weather can change suddenly in Taiwan, it’s best to overpack and accept that you; have some un-used gear. So pack that thermal, pack that extra piece of bread. Who knows? Maybe one of your mates need it, even if you don’t! Watch your feet
There two big dangers in river tracing. One is slipping. This is by far the easiest and most frequent, resulting in mild to sever injuries. I perosnally have gone to the hospital with stitches to my jaw after a few steps without the proper shoes. Walk in a controlled manner and be wary of unstable rocks, shift your weight slowly when uncertain.
Regardless of your level of comfort in rivers abroad, in Taiwan, it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSICARY to wear the river tracing shoes. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTION. Not water shoes, not old sneaker. Only the felt bottom river tracing shoes you can buy or rent in Taiwan.
Don’t Swim Alone
The other grand danger of river tracing here in Taiwan are the water ghosts. No joking. Some rivers, espeically near waterfalls can have underwater vortexes,, while not visible from the surface, can drag even experience swimming underwater with no escape. It’s absolutely essential to river trace with competent swimmers with a rope or other gear to help pull you out from the water. If you’re worried about this, simply swim on the surface, and avoid going too close to the waterfalls.
Don’t Get Nervous
An abundance of caution will save you from most troubles. Nervousness will get you in trouble. With a bit of elbow grease a slow, focues thought, you can get out of most troubles. The beauty ofriver tracing is that you’re usually right next to water. If you’re worried about messing up the rock wall climb, then just fall. You may get a scrape or bump a knee. It’s important to realize how to mitigate the real dangers: potentially fatal or crippling injuries.
It’s better to scrape a knee in a controlled fall to the river, than to panic and have an uncontrolled fall and emotional trauma. You can get very injured this way from a small challenge, and you’ll be too scared to ever river trace again.

Final Tips

• Always check weather conditions before heading out
• Avoid going alone; join a group or go with a guide
• Gear up properly, even on beginner routes
• Respect the environment and pack out all trash

Ready to get your feet wet? River tracing in Taiwan is an unforgettable way to experience the island’s stunning rivers, waterfalls, and wild hot springs.