This particular mini adventure in New Taipei’s Ruifang District is a brief but enjoyable walk connecting two of the area’s popular sight-seeing spots: the Golden Waterfall and Shibaoshan Lookout. If you’re feeling energetic, you could use it as a warm-up for climbing Teapot Mountain, or if — like me — your in more of a leisurely mood, you can end the walk with a pleasant sit down in one of Jinguashi’s coffee shops.
CONSTITUTIONALS with COFFEE
XIAOWULAI (小烏來)
Towering waterfalls, precarious suspension bridges, hot spring baths, bamboo forests, plentiful bird life, and an Indigenous village — this varied trail in Taoyuan’s Fuxing District has a lot to offer.
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.
SAVAGE VALLEY (野人谷)
This loop walk in New Taipei's pretty Pingxi District takes you through an abandoned pleasure park, past a couple of waterfalls, and past the odd landscape of Dahua's potholes.
MOUNT HUOYAN RIDGE HISTORIC TRAIL (火炎山越嶺古道)
A short trail in New Taipei's coastal Gongliao District that greatly benefits from having a beach and a coffee shop at the end.
MANYUEYUAN WATERFALLS (滿月圓國家森林遊樂區)
One of two National Forest Recreation areas within the Greater Taipei area, Manyueyuan and its waterfalls is a popular spot for city folk seeking respite from Taipei’s hot summers. The park has abundant greenery, two or three waterfalls, and a handful of easy trails to explore.
XISHAN CANAL TRAIL and PINGJING HISTORIC TRAIL (溪山百年古圳/平菁古道)
Just up the road from Taipei's National Palace Museum, Pingjing Historic Trail and Xishan Canal Trail offer walkers a pleasant and shady walk with the promise of coffee and cherry blossom at the top if you visit at the right time of year.
KEELUNG MOUNTAIN EAST PEAK (基隆山東峰)
Climbing Mount Keelung is part and parcel of the Jiufen experience. Most visitors take a break from sampling the town’s many and varied treats to climb the thigh-testing, lung-burning steps. Far fewer people know that there is a secret back-route that reaches the summit via a series of thrilling scrambles.
LIYU LAKE (鯉魚潭)
Liyu Lake (aka Carp Lake) is situated a short drive southwest of Hualien City. As the county’s largest lake, it has been spruced up with a round-lake trail to attract hikers and bikers. The lake can be visited by private car or public transport and is a relaxing outdoor excursion that’s suitable for the whole family.
ERYANPING TEA TRAIL (二延平步道)
This beautiful trail in the hills of Chiayi's Fanlu Township has been voted one of the top 100 trails in Taiwan and it's not hard to see why. Wisps of mist weave through bamboo and a sea of clouds laps at tea-covered slopes — it is a quintessentially Taiwan trail.
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.
CHERRY BLOSSOM at CAOPINGTOU (草坪頭櫻花季)
Caopingtou Yushan Tourist Tea Garden is one of Taiwan's premier cherry blossom viewing spots. Each year, thousands of trees paint the slopes in beautiful shades of pink, drawing in blossom lovers from far and wide.
MOUNT TAIWU (太武山)
This 253m high peak is the ninety-ninth of Taiwan’s Xiao Bai Yue, and the highest point in the whole of Kinmen. From Jinsha and Jinhu Townships, it’s an especially commanding feature of the landscape, its pale granite flanks are visible from pretty much wherever you go.
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.
ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN (象山)
Hiking Elephant Mountain (or Xiang Shan), is one of the ultimate Taipei travel experiences and while there are many possible routes, this specific one has been voted to be one of the 100 best hiking trails in Taiwan.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 