Day 12 on this version of the route starts off at Ginger Garden, climbs up to Guandao Mountain via a lovely historic trail before following a winding road above Liyutan Reservoir on its way back to join Provincial Highway 3.
Author: taiwantrailsandtales
RAKNUS SELU DAY 11 via GINGER GARDEN (樟之細路D11-薑麻園線)
This post details one of two options for day 11 on the Raknus Selu Trail. It takes walkers on some lovely trails through the hills of Dahu Township and ends at the touristy Ginger Garden.
PINGLIN CUKENGKOU TRAIL and XIAKENGZIKOU STREAM (坪林粗坑口步道/下坑子口溪親水遊憩區)
A short and easy walk along a river close to Pinglin Street. This walk is great for summer days when you want gentle excursions with an option to dip your feet in the water.
TAOLIN BIKEWAY (桃林鐵路自行車道)
This gentle ride in Taoyuan has been deftly stitched together from the remains of the old Taolin coal railway. The scenery cannot be described as breathtaking, but it’s a fun way to explore part of Taoyuan that’s well off the tourist trail.
HEPING ISLAND PARK (和平島公園)
Heping Island Park is a small pocket of land on an island that shelters the mouth of Keelung Harbour. People come here to walk the short coastal trail year-round, and in the summer, you'll find the ocean-fed pools full of swimmers.
ALABAO BAY GUIDED WALK (阿拉寶灣)
Only open for several months every year, Alabao Bay is a short stretch of coastline accessible from within Keelung's Heping Island Park. The coastal trail offers interesting rock formations, views of Keelung Islet, and traces left behind by several waves of inhabitants.
MATCHA MOUNTAIN and MOUNT SANJIAOLUN (抹茶山/三角崙山)
You won’t find Matcha Mountain on any official maps, but that hasn’t stopped this spot becoming one of the hottest places for tourists to visit in Taiwan. An easy (if long) trail takes hikers up through pleasant forest to a summit with spectacular views of hills cloaked in shimmering grasses. Once you’ve made it to the top, it’s easy to see the appeal.
RAKNUS SELU DAY 12 via LAOGUANLU (樟之細路D12-老管路線)
This post and the previous post detail the easier of the two options. This version of day 12 is both short and easy.
RAKNUS SELU DAY 11 via LAOGUANLU (樟之細路D11-老管路線)
There are two possible routes for days 11 and 12 on the Raknus Selu Trail. This post and the next post detail the easier of the two options. At 18.5km, this is a pretty long day, but an easy one.
RAKNUS SELU DAY 10 (樟之細路D10)
Day 10 on the Raknus Selu Trail takes you from quaint Xindian Old Street to Chukuangken: the site of the world's second oldest oil field.
LUJIAOKENG ECOLOGICAL PROTECTED AREA and FENGLIN WATERFALL TRAIL (鹿角坑生態保護區/楓林瀑布)
Tucked into the northern folds of Yangmingshan National Park, Lujiaokeng Ecological Protection Area and Fenglin Waterfall can only be accessed by those who have applied for a permit. Don't let that put you off though, this pretty trail involves lots of stream crossings and the remoteness means you're all but guaranteed a quiet walk.
SANZHI TUNG BLOSSOM TRAIL (三芝油桐花步道)
The trail is located in the very northernmost tip of Taiwan, and is a short (slightly hilly) walk with lots of tung trees and some terraced rice paddies to enjoy.
SUNRISE on MOUNT QIXING (七星山日出)
Watching the sun rise on a new day is always a memorable experience, but a sunrise seen from the city's highest summit is doubly so. The changeable weather up on Mount Qixing makes it challenging for sunrise seekers, but if you do manage to beat the odds, and get good weather it feels like you've won the jackpot.
DENGMIAO TRAIL (登廟步道)
The majority of Dengmiao Trail is in Changhua County, but for a brief moment it will take you over the border into Nantou County. It's a casual, Sunday afternoon type wander with a good chance of spotting some Formosan rock macaques.
BIRD DIVINATION PAVILION TRAIL (鳥占亭步道)
This trail on the fringes of Dabang tribal village is a short walk that climbs to a pavilion with cultural significance for the local Tsou population.