This short walk on the edge of the historic Hakka town of Beipu has a good view of Mount Egongji and is a beautiful place to catch the sunset. The walk alone isn’t reason enough to visit Beipu but, if combined with a wander around the town and stops to enjoy leicha, it can be part of a wonderful day trip.
hsinchu county
HUANG JIE TRAIL (黃劫步道)
This short loop trail is located on the outskirts of Guanxi, a small Hakka town just on the Hsinchu side of the Hsinchu-Taoyuan border. Along the way, you can hope to spot tea fields, abandoned kilns and an interesting temple.
CINSBU GIANT TREE GROVE (鎮西堡巨木B區)
Deep in the mountains of Hsinchu, there are several groves of giant trees. This one offers a rewarding day's foray into Taiwan's mountainous forests and is the perfect destination for an overnight weekend getaway from Taipei.
MOUNT EGONGJI and MOUNT NIAOZUI (鵝公髻山/鳥嘴山)
Situated in Hsinchu's Wufeng Township, Mount Egongj and its neighbour Mount Niaozui offer a great day's walking. Hikers can take in both dramatic views and photogenic forests on this enjoyable route.
FEIFENG SHAN, ZHONGKENG SHAN and SHIBITAN SHAN LOOP (飛鳳山/中坑山/石壁潭山O型)
This fun, half-day trail in Hsinchu County will take you to one of Taiwan's Minor 100 Peaks. There are a few scenic views along the way and you can even have the odd experience of seeing Taipei 101 from a different county.
MIAOLI’S LION’S HEAD MOUNTAIN (獅頭山)
Lion's Head Mountain in Miaoli is just one of many peaks scattered across Taiwan to be named due to its resemblance to the King of the Jungle. What sets this particular lion apart from the others is its enduring role as a site of spiritual significance. Dotting the mountain's slopes visitors will find a proliferation of temples, some of which have been open to worshippers for over a hundred years.
BEIDELAMAN GIANT TREES (北得拉曼巨木步道)
Although most of Taiwan’s giant trees are found in remote forests with permit-restricted access, there are some just a short drive out of Taipei which can be seen by anyone willing to make the climb. (And who wouldn’t be willing to put in a bit of effort to visit these venerable old spirits.)
MAI BA LAI SHAN (麥巴來山)
When we signed in at the trailhead, the person manning the register said "the mountain is yours today, there's no one else." He wasn't wrong. Mai Ba Lai is never going to lure the crowds in search of Instagrammable views, but it offers another kind of draw: quietness and seemingly endless forest.
SHINIU SHAN (石牛山)
This unexpectedly enjoyable loop just south of Shimen reservoir combines a fun upwards scramble with attractive views from the peak and a much gentler route down.
ZHI SHENG MAO TAI SHAN (芝生毛台山)
This very wild feeling trail leads you up a steep forested ridge through huge bamboo groves, into the domain of wild boars and barking deer, past hunting shelters and the traces of Taiwan's period of Japanese occupation.
FENG QI SUNSET TRAIL (鳳崎落日步道)
An easy and leisurely afternoon walk taking in military relics. Bring your significant other and aim to finish the walk around sundown so that you can watch the sunset together as you gaze out over the Taiwan Strait.
LIDONG SHAN AND TAPUNG CASTLE VIA DAHUN SHAN (大混山/李棟山)
A many-layered mountain forest trail leads up to an old fortress and a slice of Taiwan's history.
QILONG HISTORIC TRAIL (騎龍古道)
Road walking with a view in Hsinchu County.
LUBI MOUNTAIN THERE-AND-BACK (魯壁山)
This climb is a great way to stretch your legs after getting carsick on all those windy mountain roads.