Last Saturday we did our first hike as a family of five.
The actually "hiking" part was not long--maybe 20 minutes up and 20 minutes down--just the right challenge for the little ones.
At the top we got to splash around a bit. This would be a great place to cool off in the summer.
The locals use the waterfall as a massage jet. We watched a man in his sixties do yoga-like moves underneath it for quite a while. I could only stand the pressure for a minute before crawling back down!
Afterwards we walked down to the town of Shenkeng and had lunch on the Old Street.
It was so good to get out of the city!
This is a great hike to try if you have small children but no car. ;) It took me a long time to find info on how to get there so I'll post it here in hopes it will help someone else...
Take the MRT to Taipei Zoo Station, then hop in a taxi (it's a 15-minute drive to the trail head). Tell your driver to follow the 106 from Taipei towards Shenkeng (深坑). Follow the signs for the Paozilun Trail (炮子崙步道).
Drive straight past the Formosa Gas Station (turning left leads to Shenkeng Old Street). Then you'll see a second gas station; that's where you turn right and go up the mountain.
往深坑路上那家福爾摩沙加油站直行（左轉是往深坑老街）
之後會再看到另一家加油站，右轉上山。
The beginning of the trail is really easy to miss. Keep driving up the road, and you'll reach a sign that says "Paozilun Trail" pointing over a small bridge to the right. DON'T TURN THERE; KEEP GOING! Watch carefully for a small unmarked trail on the left. It looks like a little dirt path with a few sandbags/tires someone put in to make it less slippery. If you're unsure, check the telephone standing on the right of the trail...if it's number 44, you're at the right place!
When you're done hiking, you'll have to walk about 20-30 minutes back down that road toward Shenkeng to catch a bus or taxi back to the MRT.
Can't wait to go there myself.
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