Lushui Wenshan Trail — Attraction in Xiulin

I started from Wenshan and headed to Lushui, which is obviously easier than opposite . ( Last ~500m of walk allowed me to use the word "obvious". If I started from Lushui, I may have given up at the beginning)

This trail definitely requires certain level of fitness but not necessarily to be very athletic.

My level of fitness is - short and overweight (or a bit obese now); going for ~4km bushwalk weekly; able to complete this less than 1.5hours.

Safety: During the research I could not see any tourists injured or died during a walk. However, I found that this is not caused by their great safety system but tourists were fit enough and they protected themselves well. Additionally, probably this trail is not greatly popular to gather mass population, yet.

Majority tracks are quite narrow, needs to rely on pre-installed ropes or chains. However, these were not very reliable but some nails were dislodged. Some areas had guard rails but many were collapsed. Sometimes metal chains (and guard rails) were too hot to hold with bare hands. Therefore, holding rocks or trunk of trees and sliding down or crawling up was unavoidable.

View: Very beautiful but personally it was hard to enjoy every moment due to condition of this track. But obviously have breathtaking views. Worthy to try.

Others: This is 5.5km track. However, due to challenges this track has, I felt like I walked 10km.

I quite enjoyed until I reached 3.5km; after this, I thought that I would feel great when I reach 4.5km. When I reached 4.5km, I felt like this walk would continue forever. Then, before reaching 5 km, I started to regret having this walk.

Hallelujah! When I finished, I didn't have any energy to do anything but just sat and started eating a bread - during the walk, I ate 3 pieces of chocolate but kept drinking; had no rest but kept walking. While I was waiting my host to come to pick me up, my regret disappeared and I could not stop thinking "I want to do this again" Then I realised that this is a very addictive walk - could not sleep that night due to full of adrenaline!

Anyway, if I add advice , It will be good idea to bring--

high calorie food eg. chocolate or energy bar.- I lost appetite during the walk so chocolate was good source of energy

A bottle of ion/ sports / electrolyte drink - felt hotter and humid than numbers showing on a weather forecast. I had terrible headache after sweating like a pig, which was relieved by finishing 600ml of ion-drink. (On top of 2L of water)

A pair of gloves - not for warmth but to protect skin to grab hot metal guard / chains and trees. I personally felt like this would be more useful than hiking poles for this trails (I had none).

Good pair of hiking boots - sneakers can be fine for athletic person but hiking boots would be better

Wide brim hat - sunglasses can limit sights but sun is still strong.

And other stuff recommended by...

We did the trail from Wenshan to Lushui. We are avarage fit for our age but no regular hikers. We did bring enough water and had proper shoes. It took us a bit more than 4 hours, including breaks for food and some pictures.

The first two km on the trail are technical. The road climbs and descends constantly. There are ropes, and you need them. Don't expect great views, you will be watching where to put your feet down or which rock to grab anyway. After you get to the little pond and the suspension bridge, the trail gets a lot easier. There is one last big climb, and then you have a relaxed walk for the next two kilometers. With some nice views. The last km is steep down, but the trail is ok. Its mostly walking down a staircase. We were happy doing this part downhill, it must be brutal climbing this part up.

Practically, there are two busses leaving from the Taroko visitorcenter in the morning going to Wenshan. (on 12/05/2019) Bus 1126 at 7.30 and 1141 at 9.40. Or an hour earlier from Hualien train station. The bus drops you of in front of the tunnel, the trail starts at the third side exit in the tunnel.

If you finish at Lushui, it is worth to continue on the Lushui trail. The trail is flat, short and has amazing views. The trail was partially closed, but it was still worth going as far as allowed.

There is a servicecenter in Luishi where they sell ice cream and mango shakes.

We only took pictures when we felt safe to take the camera or phone out. The trail is harder than the...

What an incredible hike! Starts in the tunnel. Make sure to start on the Wenshan side. Since that is the hardest bit (the first 1/3) and then after that taxing start it gets much easier and finally around 200 steps down on the Lushui side - which I can’t imagine you want to go up(!!)

Hike took me 3hrs. Drank 1.5 liters of water. Carry nuts and fruit. But not so that animals can get to it.

Hike was totally gorgeous and I can to recommend it enough! I saw some fear mongering in the comments saying: “this hike is so difficult and be careful!” Wrong. It’s not technically difficult at all. No major cliffs. Occasional use ropes. I’d say anyone who exercises with medium fitness can do this hike, under the age of 65.

Main challenge is the first 1/3 of Wenshan side which has a lot of ups and downs. Terrain is rough. And it will consume a lot of your energy. But don’t loose faith. The second 1/3 of the hike is flat and gorgeous!! And the last 1/3 is downhill...