Post-Earthquake Trail Status + 4 Visit Options — Is Taroko Gorge Open in 2026?

⚠️ Post-earthquake update — April 3, 2024 (M7.4): Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years caused significant trail closures and infrastructure damage inside Taroko National Park. As of 2026, the park is partially open. Always check the latest trail status at www.taroko.gov.tw before your visit — conditions change with ongoing repairs and weather events.

Still very much worth visiting

Taroko GorgeOne of Asia's Most Spectacular Natural Landscapes

Sheer marble canyon walls rising hundreds of metres, rushing turquoise rivers, hidden waterfalls, and mountain temples — Taroko is unlike anywhere else in Taiwan, and it remains open in 2026.

After the M7.4 earthquake of April 2024, many travellers have been asking: "Can I still visit Taroko?" The answer is yes — but you need to plan differently. Several major trails have reopened, including Swallow Grotto Trail (reopened October 2024) and Eternal Spring Shrine, while some sections like parts of the Tunnel of Nine Turns remain under repair. Pre-earthquake tour itineraries may no longer be valid; check the official park website before relying on any older information.

The good news is that Hualien and Taroko actively welcome visitors. Tourism is one of the primary economic engines for local communities that are still recovering, and your visit directly supports livelihoods along the Hualien coast and inside the gorge. This guide will help you plan a safe, realistic, and rewarding Taroko trip in 2026 — and compare every visit option side by side.

⚡ Quick Verdict — decide in 30 seconds

🎯

Best for first-timers

Klook guided tour from Hualien

From approx. NT$2,500/person · Guide included · No planning required

💰

Cheapest option

DIY: TRA train + Taroko shuttle bus

Approx. NT$800–1,200/person · Requires planning and schedule awareness

🚗

Most flexible

Private car charter from Hualien

Approx. NT$5,000–8,000/car (split 3–4 people = ~NT$1,500–2,000/person)

🚆

Easiest from Taipei

Klook full-day tour Taipei→Taroko→Taipei

From approx. NT$4,500/person · Convenient but exhausting — limited gorge time

Trail Status — Q2 2026

What's Open,What's Closed

Status below reflects available information as of Q2 2026. Conditions change — always verify at the official park website before visiting.

✅ Open

Swallow Grotto Trail (燕子口)

The park's most iconic marble trail — reopened October 2024 after repairs. Visitors must wear hard hats provided at the trailhead. Nesting cliff swallows visible April–October.

✅ Open

Eternal Spring Shrine (長春祠)

The historic waterfall shrine at the gorge entrance — reopened and accessible. One of Taroko's most photographed landmarks.

✅ Open

Shakadang Trail (砂卡噹步道)

Riverside walk alongside crystal-clear turquoise water. Open and recommended. Allow 2–3 hours for the round trip.

✅ Open

Tianxiang Area (天祥)

The park's inland hub — hotels, restaurants, a temple, and the starting point for several trails. Fully accessible by road.

✅ Open

Qingshui Cliff Coastal Road (清水斷崖)

Vertical marble cliffs dropping into the Pacific Ocean. The coastal highway is open — best appreciated from a vehicle or roadside viewpoints.

⚠️ Partially open

Tunnel of Nine Turns (九曲洞)

The old marble tunnel walkway — some sections remain closed for structural repairs. Portions may be accessible with restrictions. Verify before visiting.

⚠️ Partially open

Baiyang Waterfall Trail (白楊步道)

Popular waterfall trail with tunnels and cascades. Some sections are still under repair. Check park website for current access limits.

❌ Closed

Wenshan Hot Spring (文山溫泉)

Riverside hot spring area remains closed. Access route is unsafe and no reopening date has been announced.

❌ Some sections closed

Interior / backcountry trails

Several long-distance interior trails remain closed or partially accessible, including sections of Zhuilu Old Road (錐麓古道). Always check permits and current status.

📌 Important: Trail status changes frequently as repairs progress, weather events occur, and safety inspections are completed. Tour buses may reroute around closures without advance notice. Always check www.taroko.gov.tw before your trip and do not rely on pre-earthquake tour itineraries without verification.

All 4 options compared

Pick Your Way InOne Table

Option	Cost / person (approx.)	Total time	Guide language	Flexibility	Gorge coverage	Best for
🚆 Full-day tour from Taipei	NT$4,500+	12–14 hrs	EN / 中	Low	Limited (3–4 hrs in park)	No overnight option
🏆 Tour from Hualien	NT$2,500–3,500	5–8 hrs	EN / 中	Moderate	Good (5–7 hrs in park)	First-timers / solo
🚗 Private car charter	NT$1,500–2,000 (split 4 pax)	Flexible	Depends on operator	Very high	Excellent	Families / groups of 3–6
🧭 DIY train + shuttle	NT$800–1,200	10–12 hrs (incl. travel)	None (self-guided)	Moderate	Key stops only	Experienced independent travellers

In depth — all 4 options

Every OptionPros, Cons & Our Take

🚆

Klook Full-Day Tour from Taipei

Option 1 · 12+ hours

From approx. NT$4,500/person — The bus departs Taipei early, drives 3–4 hours to Taroko, allows 3–4 hours inside the gorge, then drives back. The math is unforgiving: you spend more time in a bus than in one of Taiwan's most spectacular places. Many travellers report arriving back in Taipei exhausted and feeling like they barely saw the park.

Pros: No overnight stay required, everything bundled.
Cons: Exhausting, very limited gorge time, higher price per experience, itinerary may be adjusted around closed trails without notice.

Full day No overnight Tiring

🔍 Browse Taipei tours on Klook

🏆

Klook Tour from Hualien

Option 2 · Our top recommendation

Approx. NT$2,500–3,500/person — This is the option we recommend most strongly. Stay one night in Hualien, then join a half-day or full-day guided tour departing from your hotel. You get 5–7 hours inside the park at a lower per-person cost than the Taipei tour, with an English-speaking guide who is up to date on which trails are currently accessible.

Pros: Best value for time inside the gorge, lower cost, real local context, you also get to explore Hualien itself.
Cons: Requires at least one overnight in Hualien (though Hualien has excellent accommodation at every price point).

Stay in Hualien EN / 中 guide Best value Recommended

🔍 Browse Hualien tours on Klook

🚗

Private Car Charter

Option 3 · Most flexible

Approx. NT$5,000–8,000/car (split among 3–4 people = roughly NT$1,500–2,000/person) — An MPV or minivan with a driver, booked for half or full day from Hualien. You set the pace: linger at Swallow Grotto as long as you like, skip a stop if it is closed, add Qixingtan beach on the way back. This is especially well-suited to post-earthquake conditions where trail access can change at short notice.

Pros: Fully flexible, per-head cost competitive when travelling in groups, driver can reroute instantly around closures.
Cons: Higher cost for solo travellers or couples, no interpretive guide (though some drivers speak English), requires overnight in Hualien.

NT$5,000–8,000 / car Groups / families Most flexible

🚗 Browse car charters on Klook

🧭

DIY: TRA Train + Taroko Shuttle

Option 4 · Cheapest

Approx. NT$800–1,200/person — TRA Taipei–Hualien (Puyuma/Taroko Express, approx. NT$440) plus Taroko National Park Shuttle Bus Route 1141 which stops at the main gorge viewpoints. Cheapest by a wide margin, but demands advance planning. Post-earthquake, some shuttle stops have changed; always download the current route map from the park website before your visit.

Pros: Most affordable, gives you a genuine local experience, flexible timing if you plan carefully.
Cons: Shuttle stops are fixed, no guide commentary, route changes due to trail closures require you to stay up to date, long day if coming from Taipei.

NT$800–1,200/person Self-guided Experienced travellers

🔍 Browse shuttle options on Klook

Recommended itinerary

Sample 2 Days / 1 Night — Hualien + Taroko

Our recommended structure — maximum gorge time without exhaustion, plus a taste of Hualien city.

Day 1 — Taipei to Hualien

08:00

Board TRA Puyuma or Taroko Express at Taipei Station — book in advance, approx. NT$440–800/person. Journey: 2 hours.

10:00

Arrive Hualien Station — check in to hotel or leave luggage. Head toward the Hualien seafront.

Afternoon

Explore Hualien city: Qixingtan Beach (black stones, Pacific views) · Hualien Sugar Factory · Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area.

Evening

Dongdamen Night Market — Aboriginal-style skewers, brachi (indigenous mochi), crab porridge, scallion pancakes. Overnight in Hualien.

Day 2 — Taroko Gorge + Return to Taipei