TaiwanNew TaipeiPingxi

Sandiaoling

Three-tiered waterfall canyon on the old Pingxi rail line. Wet, mossy basalt with classic 30m drops.

STATUSOPEN

TECHNICAL RATING

v4 a3 III

TOTAL TIME5h 15m

APPROACH1h 15m

DESCENT3h 15m

RETURN45m

RAPPELS6

MAX RAPPEL32m

ELEVATION DELTA

240m380m → 140m

PROFILE

Description & Access

Sandiaoling — literally 'three drops ridge' — is Taiwan's classic descent. Mossy basalt blocks, dark plunge pools, and three named waterfalls (Hegu, Motian, Pipa) define the line.

Approach

1H 15M

From Sandiaoling rail station, follow the trail south-east towards Hegu Waterfall lookout, then bushwhack up-stream another 15 minutes to the put-in above Pipa.

Descent

3H 15M

Six rappels including the marquee 32m Hegu. Two short downclimbs in the middle. Pipa (R3) lands in a deep pool with a small siphon on river-right — stay left at the bottom.

Return

45M

From the exit pool below Hegu, take the cliff trail (chains) back to the lookout deck. 25 minutes to the station.

Note: Closes after heavy rain — the canyon flashes fast. Check Pingxi precipitation forecast.