Walking all the way through Taroko Gorge is difficult. I suggest that you get a mini-bus that stops along the way. Walking part of the way is a good idea, there are many things that are worth seeing.

If you can get a few people together, sharing the price of a taxi gives you more flexibility. Our driver spoke good English and allowed us plenty of time to hike in the gorge. Taxi drivers near the main station are often touting for business.

Hi, I covered this in my review. We went by bus. Its pasted below. Enough has been said already about this amazing and beautiful place. We travelled here by bus from Hualien and I’ll explain how. The bus you need is 1133a. We took the bus from the station right next door Thanks to the train station, we bought tickets from the office next to the bus. The fare is 250 each to ride all day. The bus wasn’t even half full, we left around 9 am. With the same ticket you can get on and off any of the 1133a buses. You are given a map so can get off at various places and back on along the route. Toilets are often. Food is available but expensive (150 for a coffee). There is an app for the bus but this is as unreliable as the timetable. As a rule I’d say a bus per hour or so in each direction. There is some confusion as to which stops where but despite this it’s a fantastic way to explore the park. Do your homework as to where you want to go and use Google maps to see where you are. We got off at Shakadang trail (loved it), Lushui (nice place but exhibits in Chinese only. There is a short trail here too which was nice. Bring a torch for the tunnel), and Yanzikou (Swallows Grotto) amazing views here. We were supposed to get out at Qixingtan on the way back but somehow the driver seemed not to pass it.

It is a long road up from Hualien on a bike. Even once you get to Taroko Gorge it is not bike friendly. We are hikers.

They are all pretty much the same. There are several shops at the park's entry, so just chose any of them.

Yes, provided you have wet weather gear with you. When it rains in Taiwan, it really does rain! But footpaths are good on the trail through the gorge, so you should have few problems. Hope this helps.

Thank you BlueMeow. Any possible recommended trips replacing Taroko just in case? I'm looking at a full day tour, with nature; we'll be coming from Taipei; I don't know what will fit in a Dec trip.

I would recommend hiring my a driver for the day because the buses in Taroko are THE WORST. We only got to see one trail because the buses didn't turn up or drove past us. It was a really frustrating day!!! A driver costs about 3000 NT for the day.