日據時期，日本人為了建造立霧電廠，以砂卡當溪沿岸的岩壁上開鑿出一條長達四點四公里長，一公尺寬的步道，早期被稱為“神秘谷步道”，後來才改回太魯閣族慣稱的砂卡當步道。

砂卡當其名稱源自於太魯閣族在這裏建社時曾挖掘出臼齒，認為是祖宗留下的歷史痕迹，故名。此處的自然景觀成為最大魅力，壯麗的山嶽，清澈的溪流以及新鮮的空氣讓此地成為花蓮秀林旅遊勝地。

砂卡當步道長4.4公里單程步行約二小時全程沿着砂卡礑溪左岸的溪畔平坦易行前半段大都是開鑿在峭壁下的明隧道相當有特色沿途欣賞太魯閣美麗的大理石峽谷與清澈迷人的溪潭是中央橫貫公路最受歡迎的親水路線～

河道全長4.1公里，沿岸風景優美，峽谷地景壯麗，是一條適合健行的路線。

The good and simple charterer took us to the second scenic spot of the Taroko Pavilion, the Shakayi Trail. Looking at the long and narrow walk, I think it won't take long to walk. The trails are cut under the cliffs, with the cliffs on one side and the canyons and streams on the other. The trails have guardrails and are wide enough, so they are very safe. At first, I walked with great interest, saying that there were five rooms at the end of the journey, but I still can't remember what it was, but the more I walked, the more I felt that it was far away. My little friends were tired and kept looking for a place to sit down and rest, but at last we all insisted on the end. It was just a pit in the end. Haha, but it's interesting to remember walking like this.