Summer Fun: Liouguei's Whitewater Rafting Revival／勇士激流駕輕舟─六龜區荖濃溪泛舟
Summer Fun: Liouguei's Whitewater Rafting Revival
◎English translation: Tan You-yi
◎Photos by Siao Meng-cyu
With the sweltering summer heat, it is the perfect time of year to enjoy water activities. Whitewater rafting is one of Taiwan's most popular and exciting choices for families and friends who are looking for fun outdoor activities to do together. One of the best places to do this is in Liouguei, Kaohsiung. The Laonong River flows through the district, being one of only two whitewater rafting destinations in Taiwan. The best time to go is after the monsoon season, making the river basin is more abundant. The route takes visitors past unique forests, badlands and beautiful rock formations.
The source of Taiwan's Laonong River originates at Jade Mountain. The aboriginal people know it as Laku Laku, which means "fierce and unpredictable waters". The river flows through some breathtaking landscapes, from Taoyuan's Meishan to the Taiwan's South Cross Highway.
During Typhoon Morakot, the Laonong River was seriously damaged, forcing the local tourism industry to come to a devastating halt. Reconstruction took 7 years of hard work and now local rafting companies are able to bring this beloved water activity back to the region. Laonong River differs from the Hsiukuluan River, as it provides a more relaxing and scenic experience for visitors.
Many people are nervous the first time trying whitewater rafting; however, every trip is escorted by lifeguards and is such an exciting activity, thus visitors always come back to do it again. There are also good safety policies in place that visitors must follow in order to ensure their wellbeing. Laonong River rafting begins at Tulongwan Waterside Park and ends at Eighteen Arhats Mountain. The whole experience takes about 1.5 hours, along a 12 kilometer long route, with the highest and lowest points being 65 meters apart. It is indeed a memorable experience for anyone that gets the chance to try.
勇士激流駕輕舟─六龜區荖濃溪泛舟
◎文、攝影／蕭孟曲
隨著夏季氣溫上升，這種時候需要來點清涼消暑的活動，有人喜歡衝浪，有人喜歡溯溪，而最刺激有趣的莫過於泛舟，不管是攜家帶眷、還是三五好友，適合成群結隊參加！
荖濃溪泛舟曾是全台唯二的泛舟航線，是高雄六龜重要的觀光休閒活動，2009年因莫拉克風災襲擊，不但導致南橫公路中斷，同時造成荖濃溪河道嚴重淤積。歷經近7年疏浚整治、泛舟業者試航評估，報請相關單位審慎勘查後，荖濃溪泛舟宣告重新啟航。相較於秀姑巒溪泛舟的驚險，荖濃溪泛舟較為平穩，適合想感受清涼又想欣賞沿途美景的遊客。
荖濃溪源自玉山山脈，當地原住民布農族語：laku laku，是「兇猛不定的河水」之意，可見此河流地勢之險峻。離開高山，來到山區平原，成為高屏溪上游主流，可謂高屏地區的母河。自桃源梅山以降，與南橫公路時左、時右相伴，在桃源、六龜一帶，山高水長，地勢落差大，沿途地形壯闊，景致秀麗，是最佳的泛舟河道。
在梅雨過後豐水期，來荖濃溪泛舟，輕舟暢意於蜿蜒溪澗，目睹獨特的森林、惡地交替，驚嘆激流、巨石相擁，感受御風山林，清涼破浪的盛夏快感。
首次嘗試泛舟的民眾不必緊張，重新啟航的荖濃溪路線，起點位於「土壠灣休閒綠地」，終點為知名的十八羅漢山隧道口，航程河段全長約12公里，約1.5小時，海拔落差近65公尺，航行過程皆有救生員隨同，遊客確實遵守行前說明，即可平安快意地完成泛舟之旅。