This boardwalk trail winds through Kaohsiung's coral-limestone Mount Shou, where relaxed troupes of monkeys and traces of the hill's military and cement-quarrying past keep things interesting. Multiple pavilions along the ridge offer free tea and sweeping views over the Taiwan Strait.
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壽山木棧道
這條木棧道蜿蜒穿越高雄壽山的珊瑚礁石灰岩地形，沿途悠閒自在的猴群，以及山丘過去作為軍事用地與水泥採石場的痕跡，都為健行增添了不少樂趣。稜線上多座涼亭提供免費茶水，還能眺望台灣海峽的壯闊景色。
CI LAKE BIRDWATCHING TRAIL (慈湖鸛鳥步道)
This easy loop around a former estuary on Kinmen's northwestern coast is a paradise for bird spotters, and if you visit after a dry spell, you might catch the Instagram-famous pink pools, a natural phenomenon created by algae-rich fishponds.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL B ROUTE — LIANHUA TEMPLE to GUANXI (樟之細路B線：蓮華寺/關西)
This long, flat road walk through the northern Hsinchu County won't prove much of a test for your legs, but it will keep your eyes and mind busy. Ancestral halls, lascivious temple art, air-drying produce and watermelon stacks line the route from Zhubei's outskirts all the way to the sleepy town of Guanxi.
FUYANG ECO PARK NIGHT HIKE (富陽自然生態公園)
Previously a military facility, the little patch of forest between Da'an and Wenshan districts is now a biodiverse habitat where Taipei's herpers and hikers can come to get close and personal with the local wildlife. The short loop featured here makes an excellent night hike option with plenty of chances to encounter the area's nocturnal residents.
TEFUYE GIANT CAMPHOR TREES and BAMBOO TRAIL (特富樟樹巨木群/特富野竹林步道)
The Tefuye Trail is a short, easy hike circling the Tsou tribal village of Tefuye in Chiayi's Alishan Township. The trail takes hikers through a small-scale coffee plantation, past a giant camphor grove, and back down along a bamboo-lined trail. Along the way, visitors can also take a look at this aboriginal village's tribal architecture and enjoy the local coffee.
MOUNT BAIMAO (白毛山)
Mount Baimao is a mostly forested walk that saves its best for last with a dramatically exposed rocky ridge near the summit and sweeping views up Dajia River toward the hot spring town of Guguan.
QIXINGTAN BEACH and 48 PLATEAU (七星潭海岸風景特定區/四八高地瞭望台)
This easy coastal stroll in Hualien combines the simple pleasures of a pebble beach with sweeping bay views from the grassy bluffs of 48 Plateau.
XINXIAN TRAIL (信賢步道)
This short and easy stroll follows a beautiful river valley and takes you past several waterfalls on New Taipei’s remote-feeling Wulai District.
FIREFLIES and TUNG BLOSSOM in PINGLIN RIVERSIDE PARK
The four weeks spanning the end of April and the start of May is peak season for fireflies in northern Taiwan. What's more, this time of year also happens to be tung blossom season, and this easy trail in New Taipei's Pinglin District gives you the opportunity to experience both in one go.
LINSHAN CAPE COASTAL TRAIL (麟山鼻海岸步道)
Expect coastal scenery and easy walking on this short loop in New Taipei’s Sanzhi District.
MOUNT DALUNTOU (大崙頭山)
Mount Daluntou can be found in the green-clad slopes separating downtown Taipei from the more extensive greenery of Yangmingshan National Park. It is an easy Xiao Bai Yue and a simple half-day Taipei hike.
SMANGUS LOOKOUT and KORAW ECOLOGICAL PARK (司馬庫斯觀景臺/KORAW生態公園)
This gentle trail climbs up to a viewing platform overlooking Smangus, a secluded mountain retreat once considered Taiwan’s most remote settlement. While many visitors come to admire the village’s cherry blossom or its grove of giant trees, this forest trail at the other end of the village offers a quieter escape for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
YUANTONG TEMPLE TRAIL (圓通寺步道)
Yuantong Temple is an (almost) century-old religious establishment built into the hillside of New Taipei's Zhonghe District. The ridgeline behind it is crisscrossed with a network of trails where you can find all kinds of small shrines, statues and other interesting sights.
JIUZHIZE NATURE TRAIL (鳩之澤自然步道)
The trails in Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area are nothing if not accurately named. The Hemlock Trail weaves through moss-draped hemlock forest, the Cueifeng Lake Circular Trail encircles Cueifeng Lake, and the Jiuzhize Nature Trail is blessed with abundant nature. I have never seen so many muntjacs in one place, and certainly not such chill ones.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 