"Yu Nei Creek Canyoning" in Tao Yuan's Little Wulai – The Only Starting Point Is a 3-Story High Bridge Abseil

Reported and photographed by Cai Wenjun / Tao Yuan

Canyoning is now available in Tao Yuan’s Little Wulai too. In conjunction with the annual North Cross-Island Tourism Festival, the organizers have launched a canyoning experience in Yu Nei Creek within the Little Wulai Scenic Area. Participants must first abseil down from a 12-meter-high bridge into the valley, then make their way upstream against the strong current. Though the course is less than a kilometer long, the rich terrain formed by rapids, small waterfalls, and boulders still offers a challenge.

▲ To enter Yu Nei Creek for canyoning in Tao Yuan’s Little Wulai, you must first abseil down from a three-story-high bridge.

▲ You have to abseil down one by one from the bridge before stepping into the creek.

Wang Junxiang, manager of canyoning at Taiwan Outdoor Exploration School, said that the Yu Nei Creek canyoning course is classified as an entry-level experience, not too difficult for both adults and children. Although the length is short, canyoning isn’t about distance but the richness of terrain variation, so participants can still fully enjoy activities such as rock climbing, cliff jumping, and climbing up waterfalls against the current.

For clothing, most canyoning trips require a wetsuit, but for Yu Nei Creek, you can wear your own clothes and just put on a life jacket, non-slip shoes, helmet, and gloves before getting in the water. Those who want to try it should bring a change of clothes.

▲ Abseiling down into Yu Nei Creek from the bridge. (Video footage by reporter Cai Wenjun)

During an actual experience, reporters had to walk along a 10–15 minute trail to get to Yu Nei Creek. Then, at the middle of the bridge, a coach helped secure a safety rope before abseiling down. Coach A-Guang said the trick to abseiling is to keep your right hand at your right hip and slowly let the rope down. If you want to pause, just press down on the iron ring on the rope. Your left hand is used to protect your face. A-Guang pointed out that when starting the descent, your body may be pulled toward the bridge by the rope’s tension. At this point, placing your left hand forward can help you hold onto the bridge and avoid your face directly hitting it.

▲ The current in Yu Nei Creek is fast, so every step must be steady.

▲ Climbing up a waterfall under strong currents is a huge physical challenge.

▲ Climbing up a rapid small waterfall against the flow.(Video footage by reporter Cai Wenjun)

The intensity of the current varies with the season. In summer, the water in Yu Nei Creek is particularly strong, so when going upstream, extra care is needed with every step. When climbing over small waterfalls, it is recommended to use both hands and feet and lower your center of gravity to pass through smoothly.

▲ Slippery and hard-to-grip rock walls test your full-body strength.

▲ Climbing up slippery and hard-to-grip rock walls by hand. (Video footage by reporter Cai Wenjun)

More caution is needed when climbing rock walls, as years of water erosion have caused the surfaces to grow a lot of moss. Even with gloves, your hands might slip. Before taking each step, make sure you have a firm grip and solid footing. Slowly climbing up using arm and leg strength is the biggest challenge in Yu Nei Creek.

▲ The final destination of Yu Nei Creek canyoning – Little Wulai Waterfall.

The North Cross-Island Tourism Festival in Tao Yuan has begun, and the Yu Nei Creek canyoning experience will take place on July 23 and 24. For registration and pricing details, please check the North Cross-Island Tourism Festival official website (http://www.lalasun2016.tycg.gov.tw/index.html).