Guanwu National Forest – Day Tour (Guided)
Guanwu National Forest Day Tour offers visitors a chance to experience one of the most remote National Forest in Taiwan. Also one of the most spectacular.
This park offers a range of hiking experiences that suit all skill levels. There is also an interactive visitor center, an exhibit on the rare Guanwu Salamander and a few cafes to sit and listen to the birds and enjoy the surrounding nature. Guanwu National Forest Day Tour is a perfect addition to any visit to Taiwan for outdoor lovers.
Located at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 meters, Guanwu (meaning “Mist Gazing” in Mandarin Chinese) is a mountainous destination is frequently immersed in mists and clouds (as the name suggests). It also offers one of a few access points into Taiwan’s Shei-Pa National Park (雪霸國家公園).
This day tour is available as a guided experience.
- Duration: 1 day
__________________________________________ - Trip level: Easy to Moderate
__________________________________________ - Availability: All-Year
__________________________________________ - Type: Guided
__________________________________________ - Price: Flat-rate for groups of 1-7 guests
– Guided: $22,300TWD
__________________________________________
Highlights
- Secluded, protected area within Shei-Pa National Park
- Hike 10km+ of trails, including some with 360 degree mountain views and a 50ft waterfall!
- Walk amongst an ancient cypress tree grove with trees dating back 2,500 years
- Private and Return Door-to-Door Transportation between Taipei and Guanwu
- Great destination for wildlife viewing & bird watching
Guanwu National Forest – Tour Overview
There are a total of over 10km across 6 main trails within Guanwu National Forest and they vary in length and difficulty. Most of the trails are accessible from the Guanwu Villas and a few start/end at the Visitor Centre which is located a few hundred meters up the road.
While most of the trails are looped, there are a few that feature an ‘out-and-back’ hiking experiences, such as the Honeymoon Path. Being part of the National Forest system, there are many sections of the trails that are quite well-maintained and are suitable for all types of hikers from beginner to novice and advanced, depending on how far (and where) one wishes to hike. The trails vary in scenery, difficulty and accessibility, providing visitors of all skill levels something to explore.
Located adjacent to the Guanwu Visitor Center, the ecological center celebrates a unique, endemic amphibian only found in the surrounding mountain area. It is currently only found sporadically in the mountainous areas of central and northern Taiwan. Since the first discovery in Guanwu in 1996, Sheipa National Park has conducted ecological surveys and habitat restoration work on the Guanwu Mountain Salamandar, also known as “Pepper Fish”. The species are highly endangered and only a very small population of these rare living glacial relic amphibians remain.
Two small cafes with snacks and hot/cold drinks are open throughout the day and are perfect locations to wind down after a day of hiking.
To make the most of a visit to Guanwu National Forest check our our destination guide at www.TaiwanOutdoors.com/guanwu
What is included
 | Bilingual (Chinese/English) & experienced mountain guide services |
 | Private round-trip transportation from Taipei (Alternate pick up locations can be arranged. Additional costs may apply) |
 | Passenger Vehicle & $3,000,000TWD Travel Agency Liability Insurance |
 | Private LINE group with guide/ Taiwan Outdoors’ staff |
What is not included
 | Flights |
 | Airport transfers (Available upon request. Additional costs may apply) |
 | Drinks and meals |
 | Additional stops at attractions or souvenir shops |
 | Additional Personal Travel Insurance |
Guanwu National Forest Day Tour Schedule, Hiking Trails & Points of Interest
Tour Schedule
– 06:45 – Guest Pick Up: Taipei Main Station (Pick up time and location can be modified to suit the guests’ needs. Additional costs may apply.)
– 09:45 – Guest Drop Off: Guanwu Visitor Center
– 09:45 – 15:45 – Free time to explore Guanwu National Forest including trails, ecological center and cafes.
– 15:45 – Guest Departure: Guanwu Visitor Center
– 18:45 – ESTIMATED RETURN: Taipei Main Station
*This is a suggested itinerary, however guests can modify departure and pick up times as per their desired schedule. Some flexibility is available if guests wish to visit other destinations within the allocated 12 hour tour window. These are estimated times and are dependent on traffic to/from the destination.
Hiking Trails
The Scenic Trail (景觀步道) – 3km (return) | Linear Two-Way | No Permit Required | Level 1 Difficulty Rating – Starting from the visitor center, the Scenic Trail is a family friendly trail that is a mix of hard surface and loose gravel. Perfect for strolling in a stunning forest.
Yunwu Trail (翠峰湖環山步道) – 850m | Linear Two-Way | No Permit Required | Level 1 Difficulty – This trail is has a level 1 difficulty rating and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. This trail connects Guanwu Visitor Centre with the Guanwu Villas and many of the additional trails in the park.
Honeymoon Trail (翠峰湖環山步道) – 450m | Linear Two-Way | No Permit Required | Level 1 difficulty – A short out-and-back trail that takes approximately 30 minutes round trip to complete. This trail meanders through dense forest, including hemlocks and firs.
Guanwu Waterfall Trail (觀霧瀑布步道) – 1.5km | Linear One-Way | No Permit Required | Level 2 difficulty – While not overly long, this difficulty rating is primarily due to the terrain. It’s a down-up experience with over 200 meters of elevation over 1.5km. In total, it should take about 1-1.5 hours to complete, including time spent at the Guanwu Waterfall.
Zhenshan Trail (榛山登山步道) – 4km (+) | Looped | No Permit Required | Level 2 difficulty – The Zhenshan Trail is a looped trail with a total elevation gain of 290 meters between the trailhead and the peak viewing platform. The looped section of this route takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete.
Bird Watching Trail (賞鳥步道) – 650m | Linear Two-Way | No Permit Required | Level 1 difficulty – A nice 30-minute loop can be hiked from the Dalu Forest Road trailhead to the Guanwu Waterfall Trail and back up to the Guanwu Villas. This trail showcases the multi-layered forest structure around the trail that attracts the many birds that frequent this section of the park. Shhhhh. Stay quiet on this one to perhaps spot some of the fantastic birdlife of Taiwan.
Kuaishan Big Trees Trail (檜山巨木群步道) – 2.8km (one-way) | Linear two-way | No permit required | Level 2 difficulty – Hiking the Kuaishan Big Trees Trail end-to-end and returning will total over 5km and take hikers approximately 2.5 hours to complete. The trail is located at an altitude of about 2,000 meters and has a total elevation change of 280m. The trail has a few ups and downs but is a pretty easy hike and a perfect trail for forest bathing.
To review all hiking trails in Guanwu National Forest, visit our Online Guide
IMPORTANT NOTICE
⚠️ PICK-UP / DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Our pick-up / drop-off location for this tour will be Taipei Main Station. If a guest requires an alternate pick up/drop off location, please send an email to YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com. Additional costs may apply.
⚠️ GROUP SIZE: This tour can be booked for groups between 1-7 passengers. If you have groups larger than 7 guests, please contact us for pricing.
⚠️ TOUR GUIDE: This tour is sold as a guided experience. The guest(s) will meet the tour guide at a designated location sent to them after payment has been received. Their guide will accompany them throughout the trip, providing interpretation and guidance where needed. A private LINE group will allow you to communicate directly with the guide.
⚠️ TOUR AVAILABILITY: This tour can be booked on all dates of the year. Some restrictions may apply during holidays or Lunar New Year. Tours must be booked with at least 5 days notice.
⚠️ TOUR SUITABILITY: The trails at Guanwu National Forest are suitable for beginners and are well-maintained by the Forestry Bureau. There are some sections with stairs, however. Please consider your own hiking ability before booking this tour. If you would like to ask for more details regarding this route, please contact us through email, phone, or social media.
⚠️ TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN: Children younger than three years old will be charged the same rate as adults. To ensure passenger safety, a child safety car seat will be required and a $200(ntd) surcharge per seat is required (you can also bring your own safety seat). Please send an email to YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com if you have any questions.
⚠️ PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Full payment is required at least 3-days prior to the departure date. This ensures our guests’ commitment to the tour and allows us to confirm participation.
⚠️ CANCELLATION POLICY:
- 95% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 41 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 90% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 31 days to 40 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 80% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 21 days to 30 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 70% refund when the cancellation notice arrives two days to 20 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 50% refund when the cancellation notice arrives one day before the scheduled day of departure.
- No refund when the cancellation notice arrives after the scheduled day of departure.
Do you have any other questions? Please send us an email to YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com.
Contact Us about a Guanwu Day Tour
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