Combine an easy hike with a stunning waterfall at the end, and you’ve got yourself one of the best day trips in Hsinchu County! While Frog Rock Waterfall (青蛙石瀑布) is one of the lesser known waterfalls in Taiwan, it is definitely one that shouldn’t be overlooked during your Taiwan itinerary!
Here’s a quick guide setting out everything you need to know about Frog Rock Waterfall. Ready? Let’s go!
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About Frog Rock Waterfall
Frog Rock Waterfall (suitably named for its resemblance to a frog) is in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County. It’s a fun day trip and one that can easily be combined with a visit to Neiwan, Lion’s Head Mountain, or one of the many fantastic Jianshi hot springs.
While it is hardly the highest Taiwan waterfall, only measuring 40 meters in height, it is definitely one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Hsinchu County and an easy hike in Taiwan.
The waterfall is perched in a deep canyon surrounded by high mountains covered in lush greenery. It drops into a dreamy blue pool before flowing into the valley below. The scenery is incredibly beautiful, and it’s a great place to immerse yourself in nature quickly!
While the waterfall pool looks like the perfect spot to cool off, swimming is unfortunately not allowed here.
What to expect
Frog Rock Skywalk consists of three easy trails that follow a newly built wooden walkway. With only one entry point and one exit, it’s impossible to get lost! You’ll also find clear signage in English and Chinese pointing the way.
The first stop is Frog Deck, where you can snap some cool photos of all the funny frog statues. Continue along the Rock View Footpath (225m in length) and then make your way down the staircase along the Rainbow Bridge Footpath (130m). The trail leading to the waterfall is extremely hiker-friendly. What’s more, there are plenty of benches along the way where you can take in the scenery.
For the best view of the waterfall, make your way to the glass-bottom bridge. It’s the perfect photo spot offering spectacular scenery no matter which way you turn. Keep in mind the Rainbow Bridge lookout platform can only hold 20 people at a time.
Further along, you can wander among lush jungle scenery boasting varied plant life on the Wild Land Trail (200m).
Insiders Tip: While Frog Rock Footpath is a beginner-friendly hike, there are quite a few steps to climb. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend this trail to anyone with mobility issues.
How to get to Frog Rock Waterfall
The best way to explore Hsinchu County is by car or scooter. Since Jianshi Township is quite remote, it’s not the easiest place to reach by public transport.
However, if you must use public transport, take a train to Neiwan Train Station. From there either grab a taxi or catch bus 5625A or 5625 heading to Naluo at Neiwan Bridge (see Google Maps). Alight at Shishan Police Station and walk 200m. The bus ride costs NT$36, but make sure you have your Easy Card handy for a stress-free journey.
Just a heads up, since Frog Rock Waterfall is off the tourist track, getting a bus there or back could be tricky as there is little English information online. For that reason, it’s best to self-drive. If you’re coming from Taipei, you can rent a scooter at the Yamaha scooter shop on Section 2, Zhonghua Road in Hsinchu (near the train station).
Frog Rock Waterfall is also marked as Frog Rock Footpath (青蛙石天空步道) on Google Maps, so don’t get confused. Another thing you should know is that there is no public parking at the trailhead. Instead, you need to drive about 1.6km further along Route 60 to the Farmers’ Market (那羅青蛙石園區市集, see map), where you’ll find a huge outdoor parking area and some vendors selling indigenous Atayal snacks (much like what you can find in Wulai). Scooter parking is free, while car parking costs NT$50.
From here, you’ll need to take a shuttle bus to access the trail. Shuttle buses depart every 40 minutes, with the first bus leaving at 8:30 and the last bus at 16:20.
To get back to the parking lot after completing the trail, you can either walk or catch the shuttle bus near the trail’s exit (marked Natures Valley Shuttle stop on the trail map). Buses depart every 40 minutes starting at 9:10. The last bus leaves at 17:00. Just a heads up, like elsewhere in Taiwan, buses do not run during lunchtime (12:30-13:00).
Frog Rock Skywalk Entrance Fee
The entrance fee for the waterfall is NT$100 per person and NT$50 for kids. You can buy a ticket at the Farmers’ Market, which is also where you’ll catch the shuttle bus to the trailhead. Don’t lose the ticket as you’ll need it to use the bus!
Best time to visit
Frog Rock Waterfall is a great year-round attraction in Jianshi. However, since the waterfall is tucked away in the mountains, it’s best to avoid the rainy season as landslides aren’t uncommon in these parts of Hsinchu County. Make sure to check the weather forecast before your visit.
Both spring and summer are great times to visit and you’re almost guaranteed to see a beautiful rainbow over the waterfall. No matter which season you visit, though, be sure to pack a jacket as it can get chilly. Oh, and don’t forget your raincoat or umbrella.
Well, that’s all I’ve got on Frog Rock Waterfall. Have you visited this gorgeous Taiwan waterfall? If you have any tips to add to this post, let me know in the comments below so that I can keep this post updated!
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