Laomei Cold Spring Trail — 老梅冷泉

Dogs Unknown

Features Geological Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Waterfall · Wildlife

Accessible by public transit. Free and paid parking available with a public restroom. Food and refreshments sold at the trailhead and sometimes along the trail.

Mostly paved. Unpaved sections may be muddy or susceptible to crumbling.

Laomei Cold Spring is one of the few great cold springs easily accessible by public transit in New Taipei City.

The trailhead is well-marked by a pavilion with refreshment and snack vendors usually present on weekends but can also be found on weekdays during the peak season and in good weather. The trail is the same as the one to the Qingshan Waterfall Trail, before it forks off the paved path, so don't be mislead by signs. If GPS says you're in the right place, theres only one trailhead in the area.

After the staircase, the remainder of the trail is mostly flat through the paved section, following along a drainage ditch for a little more than half way. Then you'll make a left turn up a few steps to a bridge crossing the stream. Immediately after the bridge is where the trail forks and you must take the unpaved trail right instead of following the stream up to the left. This path is a bit more technical and can sometimes be slightly overgrown, but shouldn't take more than about 20 minutes. Your arrival will be signaled by the sound of a small waterfall.

Upon arrival you'll see a swimming hole directly in front with a waterfall and the cold spring to its left. The area has small patches to picnic but is best suited to hammocks.

You're most likely to encounter native birds like the Formosan Blue Magpie and large spiders, depending on the number of recent users.