Miaoli tends to get overlooked by visitors to Taiwan, but the area has a wealth of wonderful hiking trails for anyone who strays off the beaten path and goes in search of somewhere quiet. Sanyuan Trail is a good example of the kind of unexpected gem that you can enjoy if you visit this part of the world. It's a straightforward ridge hike with views, fun climbs, and a cute little town at either end.
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CARP HILL NIGHT HIKE (鯉魚山夜爬)
Carp Hill Trail is a lovely walk whatever time of day you go, but I hope this post emboldens you to pay it an after-dark visit. Not only is it home to a wonderfully diverse range of nocturnal critters, but it also has a prettily sparkling night view to enjoy all by yourself.
WANGYOU VALLEY TRAIL ( 望幽谷步道)
Located on just south of Keelung, the scenic Wangyou Valley Trail is one of the best-known walks on Taiwan's northeast coast.
MOUNT GONGZILIAO and GONGZILIAO FORT (槓子寮山/槓子寮砲臺)
The hills around Keelung are home to numerous old defensive structures left over from various periods in Taiwan's history. The remains found here at Gongziliao Fort are the most extensive and well preserved out there.
RENHE TUNG BLOSSOM TRAIL (仁和步道)
This short trail in Hsinchu is a good place to do a spot of tung blossom viewing. What makes it even more appealing is that the walk starts and finishes at sleepy Hukou Old Street, where you can enjoy a few Hakka dishes and/or a cup of coffee.
SOUTH GUANYIN MOUNTAIN (南觀音山)
This enjoyable loop trail in Taichung will take you to number 42 of Taiwan's list of 100 Minor Peaks. It is well-known in Taiwan's hiking circles for the odd sight of a giant golden hand at the summit.
LINSHAN CAPE BOARDWALK (麟山鼻木棧道)
This gentle boardwalk trail on Taiwan's north coast is short and flat enough for strollers and wheelchair users.
BADE CYCLE LOOP (八德區自行車O型)
Taoyuan's Bade District is perhaps best known for its bald pine grove–a tourist trap that fills up with Instagrammers when the leaves turn deep orange, but there's more to this area than seasonally picturesque trees. There are grand old houses, odd shrines, and living relics of a lifestyle long-since forgotten in the cities.
FIREFLY SPOTTING at YUANJUE WATERFALL (圓覺瀑布螢火蟲)
If you check online for the best places to see fireflies in Taipei, then one of the locations that appears in many of the lists is Dagouxi Waterfront Park. In fact, this is a little misleading since - while the walk does start there - you need to head a little further into the dark to spot any fireflies.
FIREFLIES at JINTONG COAL MEMORIAL PARK (菁桐煤礦紀念公園螢火蟲)
The ruins of the old Jingtong Coal Mine make for a unique backdrop to Taiwan's April firefly viewing season.
MINGDE RESERVOIR (明德水庫)
This easy wander in Miaoli's Touwu Township takes you on a short loop around part of Mingde Reservoir.
LONGGUOMAI FOREST TRAIL (龍過脈森林步道)
Connecting the two rural towns of Linnei and Pingding, Longguomai Forest Trail is a scenic wander through some of Yunlin’s hillier landscapes. Along the way visitors can expect to see monkeys and a whole lot of birdlife.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 10A
Leading from Sanxia District and on towards Tucheng, this section of the Taipei Skyline Trail was an unexpected pleasure. Gently taxing and quiet ridge line trails offer a wonderful escape from the city.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 9B
Much of the Taipei Skyline Trail stitches together popular routes on the edge of the city. Not so this section, which looks like it doesn't get many visitors.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 9A
This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail is unique in that it is almost a loop. It covers conjoined ridges that form a horseshoe-esque shape stretching from Sanxia, out towards Daxi, and then back to Sanxia again.