This short trail on the southern tip of Green Island boasts coastal scenery and the possibility of a hot spring dip.
COASTAL CAPERS
GREEN ISLAND LITTLE GREAT WALL (綠島小長城)
Named for the wooden steps that snake along the spine of the hill (loosely) resembling the Great Wall of China, this short walk on the eastern edge of Green Island is an easy way to soak in the coastal scenery.
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.
CHECHENG TURTLE HILL TRAIL (車城龜山步道)
This is a neat little walk in Pingtung's Checheng Township is a great little leg stretch if you have a spare hour.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (好望角)
This short almost coastal walk in Miaoli's Houlong Township has Instagram-famous views, towering turbines, and a converted railway tunnel to keep you entertained. At just under 3km, it's also a great little way to stretch your legs and/or catch the sunset if you're passing through on a long drive between the north and the south.
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.
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.
BITOUJIAO TRAIL (鼻頭角步道)
Bitoujiao Trail is a pleasant and easy 3-kilometre loop offering lovely coastal views. The shortness and ease, combined with options for food and water replenishment, and public transport accessibility make it an excellent choice for anyone wanting a quick escape.
MOUNT DAWULUN (大武崙山)
This short trail in Keelung’s Zhongshan District has a little bit of lots of things. It’s a historic trail. It takes you through an old fort. It includes one of Taiwan’s Xiao Bai Yue. And in the right weather, it can end with a dip in the sea and snacks by the beach.
ZHAOYANG NATIONAL TRAIL (朝陽國家步道)
This coastal trail in southern Yilan's Nan'ao Township offers pretty views of the vivid blue ocean, and the town of Nan'ao itself is also worthy of a brief wander.
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.
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.
FANGYUAN WETLANDS TRAIL (芳苑海空步道)
The Fangyuan Wetlands Trail is a short and accessible coastal walk in Chuanghua County. Visitors can enjoy spotting the numerous crabs and mudskippers.