Liangshan Waterfall (涼山瀑布 [Liángshān Pùbù])

The Liangshan Waterfall (涼山瀑布 [Liángshān Pùbù]; meaning “Cool Mountain Waterfall”) was really a series of three distinct waterfalls all on the Niujiaowan Stream (牛角灣溪 [Niújiǎowān Xī]; something to do with cow horns). The view of the first waterfall was the most accessible and it had a modest 20m drop or so though we were only able to view it from a distance on a bridge spanning the Niujiaowan Stream. The second waterfall was small (maybe 5m or so), but it was a very popular swimming hole. The third and last waterfall was the most impressive (pictured at the top of this page) as it featured a towering two-tiered drop that was probably at least 30m in cumulative height. A pretty well-made trail (apparently newly built after a powerful typhoon damaged the original trail) allowed us to take in all three of these waterfalls. Speaking of the trail, it really felt like we were on some kind of jungle adventure as we were on paths that hugged steep mountainsides amidst a very lush ravine. Belonging to the Liangshan Recreational Park, this was also a very popular hike despite how long it took us to finish the trail.

From the well-signed and busy car park and entrance area (see directions below), we paid the entrance fee and proceeded to walk along a wide and very developed road alongside the Niujiaowan Stream. After about 800m of walking along this road, we crossed a bridge leading to a little shop and cafe area before reaching another bridge where we got a look at the first of the Liangshan Waterfalls. Beyond the bridge, there was another lookout (albeit obstructed) of the falls before the trail climbed up a series of steps going past a strangely-out-of-place cross.

At the top of this climb was a shelter, but the trail continued along a wooden-planed walkway as it continued climbing (though not as steeply) while clinging to the bush-clad steep mountainsides flanking the Niujiaowan Stream way down below. After about 600m beyond the shelter (or about 750m past the bridge with the view of the first waterfall), we reached a fork, where a steep path veered down to the left while the main trail continued climbing to the right. That steep path on the left ultimately led down some very steep steps before dropping off some 3-4m cliff face where a rope was set up to facilitate this dicey descent. When I was there, I had to wait in a bit of a queue before it was my turn to go down. But once I was at the bottom, I found myself in front of a popular swimming hole right before a modestly-sized (maybe 5m or so) waterfall, which I’m calling the second Liangshan Waterfall. There was also a shack here as well as some makeshift bridges to help get across the Niujiaowan Stream.

Back at the main trail, it continued to climb high above the Niujiaowan River for the next 400m where the last 100-200m involved a bit of a rocky stream scramble as the well-developed trail disappeared into a section where the gorge narrowed in and there wasn’t an alternative but to go right alongside the stream. Once we emerged from the narrowing of the gorge, we found ourselves staring right up at the third and most impressive of the Liangshan Waterfalls. We had to engage in a bit of a rocky stream scramble in order to get right up to the misty bottom of the Liangshan Waterfall, but that was where the temperatures were the coolest.

Given all the work it took to get to this waterfall (we had hiked about 2.3km just to get here or at least 4.6km round trip), it was understandable why this waterfall was very popular and busy. Yet at the same time, it was as the result of all the work we had to do to get up here that it was surprising to see so many people here as well. Indeed, we noticed a lot of young people as well as even one of the custom-guided tours here. Clearly, this place was pretty well-known, and I guess it being part of the Luoshan Recreational Area certainly helped its notoriety.

When we had our fill of this spot and did the long downhill hike back to the car park, we got to experience a lot of the scenery once again, but this time with more panoramic downstream views along the way. Of course, it was also quite hazy and steamy in this part of Taiwan so all that steam in the air conspired to make even the closest mountains hard to see through that shroud of steam (not to mention drenching us in our own sweat). All in all, Mom and I had spent about 2.5 hours away from the car with a total hiking distance of about 4.6km with around 250m of elevation gain. So if you’re planning to do this excursion, it’s definitely worth it to allow yourself a solid half-day.