The area around Jiufen and Jinguashi is absolutely riddled with hiking trails — many of which can be found on this site. This latest addition to the collection details an easy-to-moderate walk that takes in some sites of historical and geological interest.
CLIFFS CAVE and RAD ROCKS
LIGHTHOUSES, BAIMIWENG FORT and XIANDONG ZUISHENG CAVE TEMPLE (基隆走走：基隆燈塔/球子山燈塔/白米甕砲臺/仙洞巖最勝寺)
This trail in Keelung's Zhongshan District isn't the prettiest walk I've ever done, but it certainly packs in a lot of interesting spots into its short length. There are two lighthouses, port views, a fort, and a subterranean temple.
DEVIL’S CAVE and STONE BAMBOO SHOOT PEAK (魔神仔洞/石筍尖)
This odd little loop in New Taipei's Pingxi District is a thrilling mix of climbing, views, and old mining remains.
NANYA MOUNTAIN and FRONT TEETH ROCKS (南雅山/門牙岩)
This exciting trail on Taiwan's northeastern coast offers hikers sea views, fun climbs, and some interesting rock formations.
SANXIANTAI (三仙台)
Sanxiantai is a former isthmus — now islet — located on Taiwan's southeast coast, just north of Changbin. People are drawn here to admire the arresting sight of the eight-arched bridge that connects the coast to the islet, and most never go much further than the mainland-side end of the bridge. However, if you push on a little further, the islet has much to explore, including sea caves, snakes, and fossilised corals.
YINGZAI PEAK and CHAOYIN CAVE TEMPLE (鷹仔尖/觀音山潮音洞)
This short but strenuous walk in New Taipei's Wugu District offers steep ascents, lots of temples, and (in the right season) cherry blossom and black kites.
SANMIN BAT CAVE and GUANYIN TEMPLE (三民蝙蝠洞/觀音洞)
An easy walk in Taoyuan's mountainous Fuxing District that packs a lot into its short length. There's a bat cave, a waterfall, and a unique temple built around a mountain spring—more than enough to make it worth a trip.
YEHLIU PORT HILL and the CAMEL’S HUMP (野柳山/駱駝岩)
This wonderful pocket-sized adventure on Taiwan's northern coast is almost a perfect half-day hike.
MOUNT DAGANG and PANLONG CANYON (大崗山/盤龍峽谷/天靈洞)
This easy trail in Kaosiung's Alian District is full of interesting details. There's a twisty slot canyon, a temple in a cave, and one of Taiwan's 100 Minor Peaks.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL SECTION 4 (Short Version)
The highlight of this section of the Taipei Skyline Trail is unquestionably the exceedingly cool temple cave close to Mount Hongdan. That aside, it involves some pleasant wandering over less-travelled paths, and passes plenty of historic spots.
XIANDONGHU SHAN and YUEMEI CAVE (仙洞湖山/月眉洞)
You can find all sorts of oddities tucked into the hills of Taiwan, and Keelung's unique brand of oddity seems to be caves with temples in them. This walk includes one such cave temple, as well as a scrappy climb to a peak with distant views of Taipei 101.
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.
A WANDER IN KENTING NATIONAL FOREST RECREATION AREA (墾丁國家森林旅樂區)
Whether your interest lies in rocks, plants, creatures or culture, Kenting National Forest Recreation Area is well worth a visit. Amongst the towering limestone cliffs and subterranean caves you can spot a whole host of cute critters and an impressive array of tropical plant life.
ZHONGYANG PITON and CHOU TOU SHAN (中央尖/臭頭山)
This moderately challenging walk has exciting climbs, some neat geological features, the odd dramatic view, pretty stream-side walking, and even a touch of Taiwan’s industrial history. What’s more, it can accessed by train from Taipei.
DRAGON BOAT ROCK and YUANJUE WATERFALL (龍船岩/園覺山/園覺瀑布O型)
This is my newest favourite walk in Neihu. It has a stream, roped sections to tire me out, wonderful views from Dragon Boat Rock, the oldest house in Neihu District, cute little Tudi Gong Temples and a waterfall.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 