Hiking off Pingxi Branch Rail Line

The main reason we braved rainy Keelung was to hike two trails off the Pingxi Branch Rail Line. The rain finally stopped on the day we were scheduled to leave Keelung for Yilan. We made an "Amazing Race" day in order to take advantage of the dry weather.

7:00: Checkout from Keelung hotel, train Keelung to Ruifang. Leave bags at Ruifang station Left Luggage.
8:25: Train Ruifang to Sandiaoling. Hike the Sandiaoling Waterfalls Trail. It was super scenic and fun; maybe one of our top 10 hikes ever.
10:40: Continue walking to Shifen.
12:40: Tour Shifen Waterfall; understandably popular. On our walk to Shifen station, we were a little surprised to see how popular Shifen Old Town, featured in several movies, was with young tourists, complete with miniature hot air balloon launching.
13:36: Train Shifen to Pingxi. Hike Xiaozi Shan. The top part with rails and ladders was a test of sorts for myself. See the photos below and you'll know why. Luckily it was all dry, therefore, no problem!
16:18: Train Pingxi to Ruifang to get our bags.
17:51: Train Ruifang to Yilan
19:00: Finally reach hotel in Yilan.
19:30: Vegetarian restaurant takeout!

It was all so worth the effort -- a most exciting hiking day!

A clear morning out our hotel window as we leave Keelung (pronounced Gee-Long btw)


On the Sandiaoling Waterfalls Trial.


The first waterfall is Hegu Falls.


Then two rope bridge crossings. Fun.




A bit of walking in the stream.






Then twin 100 foot falls in quick succession. The first is Motian Falls.




Then some "apparatus work" to get up to Pipa Dong Falls.






Pipa Dong Falls. Beautiful.




And one long ladder to get to the top of Pipa Dong and recross the stream on stepping stones.






Then a nice walk through lush forest down to Shifen.


Shifen Waterfall is the most famous waterfall in Taiwan and a very popular spot to visit as it's an easy day trip from Taipei.




There are many observation points.






Releasing hot air balloons from the railroad tracks in Shifen old town may be as popular as viewing the waterfall. You buy the skeleton of a paper balloon, write your hopes and dreams on the side, then release the balloon with friends and lovers.












And the tracks are cleared before the hourly trains come through.


We caught the train to Pingxi and immediately headed up to conquer the Xiaozi Shan; a big bald rock with ladders and ropes.


It takes only 20 minutes up a steep and slippery path to get to the base of Xiaizi Shan.


Oh my!


I have to admit my legs were a bit shaky at one point, but for the most part it was simply thrilling.






Sun-Ling at the top.


I look whipped. And then we have to go back down the same way. Yikes!






And back down to Pingxi after a day of hiking more fun than we could imagine.


Here's the GPS track.


Pulling into Shifen Station on the way back to Ruifang.


And finally on the train to Yilan.


We FaceTime the hotel owner on the screen above the keypad in order to get in the lobby.


Takeout.