No crowds, and you can still take in Hualien's mountains, sea, and a waterfall, all in one outing.
Zuocang Trail and Sakor Trail share the same parking lot — one side overlooks Hualien City and the Pacific, and just 500–600 meters down the other, there's a cool waterfall. It's one of our own favorites, and something we often recommend to guests.
Zuocang Trail: a viewing route over the mountains, valley, and coast
About 4 km from Errantry Lodge, entering via Guofu Bridge, the trail sits on the eastern foot of Suopotang Mountain, part of the Central Mountain Range's Chilai system. It was once a cement mining road, and has only gradually returned to its natural forested state since mining stopped in 1995.
The full loop is 3.95 km, taking about 3 hours at a relaxed pace. The path is wide and gently graded — not a hardcore hiking route, and easy for most people to complete comfortably.
The viewing platforms and pavilions along the way look out over all of Hualien City — Qixingtan and Hualien Airport to the north, and the Hualien-Taitung Valley and Pacific to the south, best on a clear day. You might also spot Formosan macaques and various birds in the forest.
Sakor Trail: a cool waterfall just 600 meters in
Sharing the parking lot with Zuocang Trail, Sakor Trail is one of the most accessible trails on the outskirts of Hualien City — gravel and natural dirt path, gentle slope, shaded by trees along the way.
The trail itself is a roughly 1,350-meter loop, walkable from either end; if you just want to see the waterfall, take the entrance on the right — about 500–600 meters gets you to the viewing platform, where you can take in the roughly 18-meter-high Sakor Waterfall up close. It's especially refreshing in summer, and great to bring kids along.
How to get there
From Hualien City, head west along Zhongshan Rd., cross Guofu Bridge, turn right onto Guofu St. at the end of Zhongshan Rd., then left at Zuocang St., and continue about 500 meters to the end, where you'll find the trailhead parking lot (free, with public restrooms nearby) — both trails share the same entrance.
FAQ
Q: Is Zuocang Trail a hard hike?
A: No — the path is wide and gently graded. Walking the full length at a relaxed pace takes about 3 hours, and most people can manage it easily without any specialized hiking gear.
Q: How long does it take to reach the waterfall on Sakor Trail?
A: If you're only walking the section to the waterfall, it's about 500–600 meters, roughly 10 minutes to the viewing platform.
Q: Can I do both trails in one trip?
A: Yes — the two trails share the same parking lot, making it a great half-day outing. Start with Sakor Trail to cool off at the waterfall, then decide based on your energy whether to continue on to Zuocang Trail for the mountain and sea views.
Q: Is it convenient to get there from Errantry Lodge?
A: It's about 4 km away, easily reached by car or bicycle — and Errantry Lodge provides free bicycles.
Looking for a real hidden gem in Hualien? We'd love to share ours with you.
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