During a two-night stay on Green Island with my parents, we had time to explore a handful of the trails on offer. This one, the Coastal Trail was right beside the little spot we’d booked and presented the opportunity for a brief post-breakfast leg-stretch before the rains rolled in.
Distance: About 3 kilometres (you could add roughly an extra kilometre if you also explore the headland by Zhaori Hot Spring).
Time: It took us about an hour (including a break to try and wait out the rain).
Total ascent: About 70 metres.
Difficulty (regular Taiwan hiker): 1.5/10 — This is piece of cake for those familiar with Taiwan’s trails. There’s just a short section of climbing at the start, then uneven ground to traverse as you’re coming down.
Difficulty (new Taiwan hiker): 2-3/10 — For my parents, who aren’t so used to Taiwan’s steps, this only presented a small challenge. They stopped a couple of times to admire the view and catch their breath, but given that my mum hails from the flattest part of the UK and both are almost 70, I reckon they did great.
Risks and dangers: You need to watch your ankles on the way down, the track is rough and covered in loose stones.
Water: I took 0.5L and drank very little.
Shade: This trail is entirely exposed, so anyone with sun-sensitive skin should take necessary precautions
Mobile network: We had clear signal throughout.
Enjoyment: This trail has some lovely coastal views, and (if you time your walk right), could potentially be timed to include a dip in the hot spring.
Other: Zhaori Hot Spring opens for sunrise and from 4 pm to 11 pm daily.
Bathroom facilities: None (unless you go to the hot spring)
Route type: Loop
Permit: None needed
Jump to the bottom of this post for a trail map and GPX file.
The trailhead for this little walk was literally right beside our accommodation for our Green Island stay, so one day, just after breakfast, mum, dad and I set off for a quick little explore.
Steps climb up relatively steeply, offering views over the coast as they go (presumably this is the reason for the trail’s name). Stopping on one of the flat portions to look back at where we’d come from, we spotted the young woman who was manning the B&B taking her pet dog out to greet the village goats on its morning stroll.
A beautiful white-fluffed underleaf and a strangely white thistle (Cirsium japonicum takaoense — actually they’re meant to be white, I only find them strange because I’d previously only ever seen purple varieties).
At the top of the climb, the trail reaches a three-way junction. We turned left and began our gentle descent back down to the coast. (The right is indicated as being one branch of the Cross Mountain Trail leading to Amei Mountain, however, it’s worth noting that the trail no longer connects to the summit because there’s a goose farm that’s blocked a section of access road that you’d need to pass through.)
Almost straight away, we spotted the headland next to the hot springs. And a little later, we passed through what I assume to be the water source for the hotels on this part of the island.
The closer to the road it gets, the more walkable the track becomes, albeit with the occasional deep rainwater rivulet carving its way across your path.
We came across a little group of these Eupyrgops waltonianus beetles hanging out beside the trail. When I got close to take their picture, they kind of crab-walked sideways to get away from me.
Where the track meets the round island road, we turned left to head back to our B&B, but by this point, the rain that had been threatening to fall the whole time we’d been out finally put in an appearance and we (along with a small flock of stray cats) were forced to take shelter under the cover of the entrance to the hot spring while the shower passed.
How to get to Green Island Coastal Trail
Google Maps address: We started the walk here. There’s space to park your scooters near the trailhead. Alternatively, you could park in the big parking lot by Zhaori Hot Spring and walk along the road to the trailhead.
GPS location: N22 38.670 E121 29.990
Public transport: To get to Green Island, you’ll need to take a ferry from Taitung’s Fugang Harbour. Tickets can be purchased directly from the ship operators listed here, but Klook and KKday also offer packages that include train-station transfers (and bike/scooter rentals). There’s no public transportation once you’re on the island, so you’ll need to rent a scooter or e-bike.
Nearby trails:
- Amei Mountain and Cross-Island Coastal Trail
- Green Island Little Great Wall
Green Island Coastal Trail Map
GPX file available here on Outdoor Active. (Account needed, but the free one works just fine.)
