Guanwu National Forest – Day Tour (Guided)
Guanwu National Forest Day Tour offers visitors a chance to experience one of the most remote National Forests in Taiwan, and also one of the most spectacular. Located at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 meters, Guanwu (meaning “Mist Gazing” in Mandarin Chinese) is frequently immersed in mists and clouds as the name suggests. It also offers one of a few access points into Taiwan’s stunning Shei-Pa National Park (雪霸國家公園).
This park offers a range of hiking experiences that suit all skill levels, with over 10km of paths spread across 6 main trails. There is also an interactive visitor center, an ecological exhibit on the rare, highly endangered Guanwu Salamander (“Pepper Fish”), and a few cafes to sit, listen to the birds, and enjoy the surrounding nature. Most trails are accessible from the Guanwu Villas or start near the Visitor Centre.
Being part of the National Forest system, many sections of the trails are well-maintained and suitable for all types of hikers—providing visitors of all skill levels something to explore. This guided, private day tour gets you deep into the mountains and back to Taipei in absolute comfort, making it a perfect addition for any outdoor lover visiting Taiwan.
Private Tour Price
Flat-rate pricing for groups of 1-6 guests. This is a private, custom experience only. Includes private door-to-door transport, bilingual guide, and insurance.
INQUIRE FOR CUSTOM TOURTour Highlights
- Explore a secluded, protected area within Shei-Pa National Park.
- Hike up to 10km of trails, featuring 360-degree mountain views and a 50ft waterfall.
- Walk amongst an ancient cypress tree grove with trees dating back over 2,500 years.
- Private and Return Door-to-Door Transportation between Taipei and Guanwu.
- A great destination for rare wildlife viewing & spectacular bird watching.
Online Guide to Guanwu National Forest
Want to dive deeper into the ecology, weather, and specific trails of this high-altitude forest?
Read The Guide
Tour Details & Schedule
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 & Points of Interest
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 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.
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.
⚠️ 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.
What’s Included & Excluded
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
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
Dates & Pricing
Private Custom Tours Only
There are currently no scheduled public group dates for the Guanwu National Forest Day Tour. This scenic mountain escape is booked strictly as a private, custom tour tailored to your schedule. Pricing is a flat-rate of $22,300 TWD for groups of 1-7 guests. If your group is larger than 7, please reach out to us for a custom quote.
INQUIRE FOR A CUSTOM TOURPlan Your Custom Adventure
This is a private, custom experience. Let us know your preferred dates and group size, and our team will get back to you with availability and confirmation.
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