River Tracing: An Introduction
What is River Tracing?
River tracing is also known as stream climbing, shower climbing, and river trekking.
River tracing is a form of mountaineering that is popular in Taiwan and Japan. The sport combines aspects of hiking, backcountry navigation, bouldering and alpine climbing. For advanced river traces, knowledge of specialized rope systems, swiftwater techniques, and multi-pitch climbing techniques is essential.
River tracing comes from Japan, where it is referred to as sawanobori.
In Japanese, sawa means stream and nobori means climb, hence “stream climbing” and “shower climbing” are simply direct translations of the Japanese term. Due to the technical nature of most ascents, and the steep waterfalls and narrow gorges that are likely to be encountered in most streams suitable for river tracing, stream climbing is actually a more accurate translation. However, Taiwanese river tracing clubs have used the term “river tracing” for decades to refer to the activity. The activity is also called river trekking in Hong Kong and in Europe.
River tracing and canyoning are different activities.
For someone who hasn’t heard of either, these two activities may sound the same. At first glance, both are recreational sports performed in the steep creeks. However, there’s a very fundamental and critical difference: the direction of movement. In river tracing, you start below your goal and move up the river by swimming, climbing and surmounting obstacles. In canyoning, on the other hand, you start at the top of your route and navigate down the river in the direction of the flow. The two activities share skill sets and techniques, but differ in challenges and hazards.
River Tracing
Team moves against water flow
Active protection, passive protection (and pitons) are more efficient, landscape friendly, and useful. Read about recommended gear for river tracing.
River hazards more easily avoided
Easier to bail — it’s always possible to descend the way you came
Canyoning
Team moves in the direction of water flow
Best to have a bolt kit prepared
River hazards potentially unavoidable
Requires TOTAL commitment
River Tracing in Taiwan FAQ
What is the best season for river tracing?
River tracing is popular year-round. Winter temperatures tend to be mild due to Taiwan’s subtropical climate. In the summer and fall, the water in mountain creeks is a comfortable 16-20°C. If it’s sunny, UV-blocking rash guard and running tights might be enough for lower elevation rivers. In the winter, or at higher elevations, 5mm neoprene wetsuits should be enough for day trips.
An additional attraction during the winter is river tracing to Taiwan’s wild hot springs.
Lisong Hot Spring is one of close to a hundred natural hot springs in Taiwan.
Where can I go as a beginner?
With the growing popularity of river tracing as a casual recreational activity, many accessible river tracing routes have become developed. The most popular routes near Taipei and Hualien may have clear riverside heard paths, and permanent installations like fixed ropes and anchors. Other easy river tracing trips include flatter hikes along rivers to a number of Taiwan’s wild hot springs, or tributary canyons. River tracing tours frequent many of these destinations.
Casual river tracers navigate the short section of river on the way to Lisong Hot Spring.
Can I book a river tracing tour in Taiwan?
Of course! There are plenty of qualified guides and eco-tourism is a great way to make an unforgettable connection with the island. We recommend booking a private tour with a recommended local guide who specializes in guiding English-speaking clients and is certified for canyoning, swiftwater rescue and rope rescue. For more information, visit our river tracing tour page.
Note: Most local tour providers in Taiwan sell tours designed for Taiwanese who tend to have a general fear of water. These tours tend to be cheaper and will leave you feeling underwhelmed if you only know how to swim.
A river tracing guide assists a client in climbing a short waterfall at the Yuemeikeng Waterfall Group.
Is it OK to go river tracing without a guide?
Sure. Most popular river tracing destinations will usually have marked or unmarked herd-paths leading to them from the road. They may also be surrounded by hiking trails, and have sections with fixed ropes. You might have to swim or scramble a bit, but these trips will lack the technical aspect of real sawanobori. When most people talk about going on a recreational “river tracing” trip. this is likely what they mean.
If you are planning to go out on your own, make sure your group well equipped. Check out the essential river tracing gear page.
A self-organized group of river tracers climb the second waterfall in the Golden Grotto.
The Rivers of Taiwan
Taiwan's rivers are characterized by their short length, steep gradients and V-shaped valleys. They feature massive waterfalls, deep pools, mineral rich waters, landslide lakes, deep gorges, and hot and cold springs. There are so many it wouldn’t be possible to visit all of them in one lifetime. Even if it was possible, ongoing erosion and torrential floods change the landscape on a yearly basis. Due to large scale landslides in Kaohsiung over the past decade Baolai River has gainer 20-25 meters of elevation due to new sediment deposits.
Taroko National Park’s Horseshoe Bend (Hualien County)
Navigating up the Wanliqiao River in winter (Hualien County)
Large-scale landslides in Putanpunas Creek (Kaohsiung City)
The colorful walls of Lisong Hot Spring (Taitung County)
Learn More About River Tracing and Canyoning in Taiwan
Taiwan’s Legendary River Explorer: Jasmine Li
This episode of the riveting Taiwan Public Television Service-produced documentary series “Island of Mountains”, follows one of Taiwan’s most accomplished mountaineers, Jasmine Li, as she revisits Tanxi Valley. The original trip to explore the area where is located Tanxi Valley took 14 days.