By David E. Schnell / Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Breathtaking scenery awaits the daring and careful The Central Cross-Island Highway, ( Provincial Highway 8), runs east-west through Taroko National Park. Sprouting from the winding road are numerous trails of varying difficulty. Taiwan park authorities classify these trails. The classifications are numbered (and color coded) one to five, five being the most challenging, as measured by length, ruggedness and inclination.

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These factors, of course, determine what equipment hikers should bring with them, how physically fit the hiker should be, and whether or not the hiker is required to have outdoor survival skills.

A Level 1 trail is level, not inclined and accessible to a family pushing a stroller or an elderly person who takes baby steps.

Examples of Level 1 trails are: Heren Trail, Chongde Trail, Huide Trail, Shakadang Trail, Buluowan Trail, Swallow Grotto Trail, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Lyushuei Trail, and Baiyang Trail.

A Level 2 trail is usually inclined and may have pebbles and can take up to a few hours to a full day to traverse, depending on your speed of travel. There may be some risk of altitude sickness as the weather can take sudden changes.

You should be in fairly good shape to walk these trails and it is a good idea to take some light provisions such as water and high-energy foods. You can consider Dekalun Trail, Eternal Spring (Changchun) Shrine Trail, Huoran Pavilion Trail, Lianhuan Pond Trail and Hehuan Mountain Trials as Level 2 trails.

A Level 3 trail takes a day or more, on the other hand, and hikers are required to carry with them food and water, cold weather clothing, a first aid kit and a flashlight. These trails are in the high mountain areas.

Only people who are in good shape should consider taking these trails. A basic map is necessary on Level 3 and above trails, which contain strenuous steps and long walks along rugged trails. Dali/Datong Trail, the north peak and the west peak Trails in the Hehuan Mountains, theMaiyuan/Jhucun Trail are good examples.

A Level 4 trail is in a protected area and requires mountaineering gear. There is no clear path and climbing is required. These trails could take a few days. A permit is required.

A Level 5 trail is in a protected area and has the same requirements as Level 4 trails, but they are generally longer and tend to be in much more remote areas than Level 4 trails. Permits are required to traverse Level 4 and Level 5 trails.

On these trails, one can see breathtaking natural scenery, but be sure to follow the guidelines outlined in the "Ten Musts on Taroko Trails" as outlined in the accompanying graph.

The guidelines are for your safety, for the preservation of wildlife and to give visitors the most enjoyable experience possible.

Keeping aware, as these guidelines suggest, has more than a safety function. The return leg of a trail journey can be as fresh as the outgoing one if your keep your eyes peeled. It is inevitable that something new will come in to view.

The earliest roads through the high mountains and deep ravines were most likely hunting paths used by the indigenous people. The paths were first paved by animals and then hunters would then follow in pursuit of their game. The paths wind and weave throughout the entire Central Mt. Range of Taiwan.

Special thanks to Robin Winkler, founder of Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association (http://en.wildatheart.org.tw/) for his work with Taroko Gorge National Park and English translations of Park information on the Web site for the English (http://www. taroko.gov.tw/english/).