Stroll along a hundred-meter cliffside！ A dreamy ancient trail that foreigners must visit

By / Scenic Spots Home compiled report
 
Walking along a cliffside hundreds of meters high, listening to the rush of torrential streams crashing against rocky shores, and taking in canyon views that look straight out of a movie—this is the stunning scenic spot that’s said to be a must-visit for foreigners, and one that every Taiwanese should make a pilgrimage to at least once in their lifetime.

The Zhuilu Old Trail isthe only historical preservation area within Taroko National Park, and is a remnant of the Huān’āng Trans-Mountain Ancient Trail.

Zhuilu and Foji Cliffs face each other across the river, stretching about 1.2 kilometers in length and approximately 600 meters in height. Almost entirely composed of marble, they are among the most magnificent landscapes in the Taroko Gorge.

Due to geographical conditions and legal restrictions, the restoration of the ancient trail has been extremely challenging and perilous. To support the development of ecotourism while also preserving the historic site, restoration work has been carried out not only on the section from Swallow Grotto–Batakan–Great Cliff–Memorial Monument, but also progressively along the entire 10.3-kilometer trail.

The Zhuilu Old Trail is part of the Huān’āng Trans-Mountain Ancient Trail, and even earlier served as a vital route connecting various Atayal tribal villages. The original path was only 30 centimeters wide, just enough for two people standing side by side. The Japanese forcibly conscripted Indigenous men to widen the path to 1.5 meters, to allow passage or transport of cannons. The conscripts were harnessed with ropes tied around their waists and lowered over the cliff edges, where they drilled holes and placed explosives—a testament to how arduous and dangerous the trail’s construction once was.