Taroko Gorge is partly open in 2026. The visitor center, Dekalun Trail, Qingshui Cliffs viewpoint area, Tianxiang and the Lushui trail (in part) can be visited, but Shakadang Trail and Swallow Grotto remain closed, with rebuilding estimated at about seven years. Highway 8 into the gorge opens only in set daytime windows, so a guide who checks the notices each morning makes the day work.
LiveTaroko Gorge conditions change often. See the trail status, verified 20 October 2026 →
What you can see now
- Taroko Visitor Center and the Dekalun Trail (reopened July 2025).
- Dachingshui and Chongde, below the Qingshui Cliffs (reopened July 2025).
- Tianxiang, Tabiduo, the Wen Tianxiang trail and Xiangde Temple (open; reached in Highway 8 release windows).
- Lushui Trail: about 250 m open since 3 February 2026, daytime only.
- Qianliyan Mountain trail: reopened 23 February 2026.
Closed: Shakadang Trail, Swallow Grotto, Eternal Spring Shrine, Buluowan and the Zhuilu Old Road. Reports on the Tunnel of Nine Turns conflict; we confirm with the park before each trip. The full table, with sources, is on our live trail status page.
Highway 8 release windows
Repair works on the Central Cross-Island Highway (Highway 8) mean traffic into the upper gorge is released in set daytime windows. CNA reported five windows a day in September 2026, with the road closed at night. The windows change with each works period, so we check the current notice the day before and again on the morning of the tour.
CNA also reported that normal traffic on Highway 8 is not expected before the tunnels along the route are finished in 2028.
Park guides and free summer walks
Taroko National Park offers interpretation services that groups can book in advance; see the park’s service information page. In summer 2026 (1 July to 31 August) the park also ran free guided walks, four sessions a day. These are in Mandarin.
A private guide adds what a group walk cannot: English commentary on the marble geology and the Truku people, a route that changes with the road windows, and a car waiting at each stop.
How a private day works
- Early express train from Taipei to Hualien or Xincheng, about 2–2.5 hours.
- Qingshui Cliffs in the morning light.
- Visitor center and Dekalun Trail.
- Tianxiang in an open road window.
- Qixingtan Beach at golden hour, then the evening train back to Taipei.
If you can, stay a night. Silks Place Taroko, the hotel at Tianxiang, reopened on 16 January 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taroko Gorge open in 2026?
Partly. The visitor center, Dekalun Trail, Tianxiang and parts of Lushui are open; Shakadang Trail and Swallow Grotto are closed. Highway 8 opens in daytime release windows.
When will Shakadang Trail reopen?
No date has been announced. In June 2024 CNA reported that rebuilding Shakadang Trail and Swallow Grotto would take about seven years.
Can you do Taroko Gorge as a day trip from Taipei?
Yes. Take the early express train to Hualien (about 2–2.5 hours), tour with a private car and guide, and return on an evening train.
Do I need a guide for Taroko Gorge?
It is not required, but with road windows and closures changing often, a guide who checks the notices daily saves wasted time. Park guided walks are in Mandarin.
Is Eternal Spring Shrine open?
No. It is not open to visitors, although many tour listings still include it.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on 20 October 2026 against these sources, mostly official Taiwanese government and news sites in Chinese. Hours, prices and road access change; we confirm them again before every trip.
- Taroko National Park Headquarters (太魯閣國家公園管理處)
- Taroko National Park: interpretation services (服務資訊)
- CNA, 1 Jul 2026: free summer guided walks, 4 a day (中央社)
- CNA, 22 Feb 2026: Tianxiang recreation area open (中央社)
- CNA, 4 Feb 2026: Lushui recreation area partly reopens (中央社)
- CNA, 22 Jun 2024: Shakadang and Swallow Grotto need about 7 years to rebuild (中央社)
- CNA, 3 Apr 2026: two years after the quake (中央社)
- CNA, 1 Sep 2026: Highway 8 timed releases, 5 windows a day (中央社)
- 1111, Jan 2025: Silks Place Taroko reopens 16 January (太魯閣晶英1/16重新開幕)
- Taiwan Tourism Administration: Qingshui Cliff
