The popular Shakadang Trail in Taroko National Park sees expanded access with a maximum of 156 hikers on holidays

▲ Shakadang Trail in Taroko. (Photo / Courtesy of Taroko National Park website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Shakadang Trail in Taroko National Park, a favorite among visitors, has often drawn complaints due to the limited number of available entry slots, the Taroko National Park Administration stated.Starting August 10 this year, the daily application quota will be increased: from 60 to 96 people on weekdays, and from 96 to 156 people on holidays. The administration has also updated its online entry reservation system to accommodate the higher capacity..

The cliffside trail boasts majestic and spectacular scenery, but also carries inherent risks. To ensure visitor safety, the administration completed renovations and opened the Shakadang Trail in 2005 under a carrying capacity control system, limiting daily entries and requiring advance reservations. In recent years, as visitor numbers to Taroko National Park have continued to rise, so too have applications for the Shakadang Trail. After ongoing improvements to trail facilities, the administration conducted a careful assessment considering factors such as hiking safety, environmental impact, and visitor demand, and decided to raise the daily entry quota.

The administration explained that applications to enter the Shakadang Trail can be submitted 1 to 30 days prior to the planned visit via the online reservation system. For entries on Tuesdays to Fridays, applications must be submitted by 10:00 AM on the preceding day, while for entries on Saturdays through the following Monday, applications must be submitted by 10:00 AM on the preceding Friday, until the quota is filled. Visitors are also reminded that the Shakadang Trail features narrow paths and significant vertical drops along the cliffs, making it unsuitable for those with acrophobia, heart conditions, or poor physical fitness.