Beautiful Valley Maolin Township/美麗的山谷─茂林鄉
Located deep in the mountains of southeastern Kaohsiung County, Maolin Township is known for its rich natural resources and pristine Luaki cultures.
Unique Topography & Varied Landscapes
Maolin lies at an elevation between 230~2,700 meters, with Chokou River traversing from the east, the bed of which widens gradually and turns into valleys and broad variations of terrains.
Listed as one of the national scenic areas, Maolin boasts numerous scenic spots, each having distinctive features. Lovers' Suspension Bridge by the bank of Chokou River is an excellent site for camping and fishing. Heading southward for 10 minutes, you can reach Lovers' Waterfall and also Maolin Valley, dubbed by Lukai people as "Lomusu", i.e. beautiful valley, where waterfalls and blue lakes are formed at the confluence of Chokou River and its tributary Musheng River. Following Musheng River upstream for an hour, you can see Maolin Valley Waterfall.
Chokou River takes a sharp turn at Dragon Head Mountain. From nearby paths, you can reach Meiya Waterfall. It's only 20 minutes walk from the parking lot to the waterfall.
Open-Air Hot Spring
Last but not the least is Tona Hot Spring, about ten minutes drive from Tona Village. It is a natural fountain overflowing with pure water. Tourists can enjoy hot springs out in the open in the two pools built by Maolin Township Office. From under Hot Spring River's suspension bridge upward, you can find a 700-meter long and 30~40 - meter high cliff created by nature's uncanny workmanship. En route you can take in the magnificent formations of Pantien Cliff, Stalactite Cave, Snake Valley and Shihchung Waterfall, a pathway cut out for adventurous minds.
茂林鄉深藏於高雄縣東南方山區，由於境內大部分為未開發原始林區，自然生態豐富，魯凱族文化保留完整，是適合登山健行、溯溪戲水、觀察自然生態和探訪魯凱文化的旅遊行程。
茂林鄉原名「多納鄉」，係日治時期日語「屯子」的譯音，而「屯子」之名是日本殖民統治之初，壓迫原住民引發的「屯子役」之名而來，台灣光復後仍沿用為鄉名，民國46年為紀念辦理地方自治有功人士陳茂林，而改名為「茂林鄉」。
地形特殊 景觀多變
茂林四周高山峻嶺，溪流蜿蜒，海拔自230公尺上升至2700公尺，由西向北北東逐漸增高，濁口溪由東側貫穿全區，茂林境內的濁口溪河床變廣，成為橫谷地形，環流丘、曲流、圓形劇場段丘、新月形段丘等特殊地形景觀俯拾皆是，堪稱本省曲流地形發育最發達的區域。
已升格為國家級風景區的茂林風景區，旅遊景點不勝枚舉，各具特色。其中，位於茂林村南側濁口溪畔的情人吊橋下，是露營、垂釣的最佳地點，由吊橋往南步行十分鐘可到達情人瀑布；茂林谷原名「羅木斯」，魯凱語為「美麗的山谷」，在濁口溪與支流木勝溪交會形成瀑布和藍水潭，循著木勝溪往上流約一小時腳程，可達茂林谷瀑布。
位於萬山村往多納村途中的龍頭山，為典型的環流丘地形，濁口溪在此處大轉彎，經歷長期的侵蝕、堆積作用，形成廣大平坦的沙地河床，河水因截流作用，將宛如龍脊的山丘分成兩段，因狀似神龍吐珠，「龍頭山」因而得名，行經龍頭山不遠，可在路邊找到往美雅谷的路，美雅瀑布有雙層，上窄下寬，瀑布下有一水潭，從停車場到美雅瀑布只需20分鐘路程。
露天泡泉 樂趣多多
最後一站多納溫泉為此行程壓軸，從多納村前叉路車行約10分鐘即可抵達，多納溫泉為露天的天然浴池，水量豐沛，泉質優良，茂林鄉公所在此建有兩個天然溫泉池，讓旅客輕鬆享受泡湯野趣，自溫泉溪吊橋下上溯溫泉溪，可到達「鬼斧神宮」，此處峽崖總長約700公尺，高約3、40公尺，原始壯觀，沿途所經半天崖、鐘乳石洞區、蛇谷及石中瀑布等，氣象萬千，極適合探險。