Rising 109 metres above Hualien City, this sweet-potato-shaped hill is criss-crossed with gentle trails and littered with rest areas and historic military bunkers. It's an easy and pleasant wander with plenty of vantage points, and in clear weather, early risers can catch the sunrise over the ocean.
MICRO ADVENTURES
QIXINGTAN BEACH and 48 PLATEAU (七星潭海岸風景特定區/四八高地瞭望台)
This easy coastal stroll in Hualien combines the simple pleasures of a pebble beach with sweeping bay views from the grassy bluffs of 48 Plateau.
MOUNT YUEMEI (月眉山)
The ninetieth summit of Taiwan’s 100 Minor Peaks is a short and easy wander through a lemon grove and along a tree-lined ridge.
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.
QUANTOUMU TRAIL (拳頭姆步道)
Quantoumu Trail is a short and easy walk in Yilan’s Sanxing Township. Its name means “fist” and is a reference to the fact that some feel the protuberance resembles a small clenched fist. It’s currently a managed forest area, and the whole hill has been planted with Formosan michelia trees.
BEIPU XIULUAN PARK (北埔秀巒公園)
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.
GOLDEN WATERFALL and LIUKENG SLOPE ROPEWAY (黃金瀑布/六坑斜坡索道)
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.
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.
PENGLAI FISH WATCHING TRAIL (蓬萊溪護魚步道)
This quiet and pretty trail in Miaoli’s Nanzhuang’s Township follows close to a burbling stream populated with abundant shoals of fish, and — if you’re lucky — you might spot muntjacs and monkeys among the lush green foliage.
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.
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.
QINGQUAN TRIBAL VILLAGE STROLL (清泉部落)
This short walk encircling Qingquan Tribal Village in Hsinchu’s Wufeng Township offers hot springs, historic figures, and a little peek into life in an Indigenous village.
KEELUNG GUANYIN STATUE and LONGTOU HILL (基隆大觀音像/龍頭山)
This short and easy wander takes you up into hills and alleyways above Keelung Port.
FULONGSHAN TRAIL and GUANYINSHAN TREETOP WALKWAY (福隆山/觀音山林梢步道)
This trail in New Taipei's Wugu District is absolutely choc full of cultural interest. It follows a walkway dotted with pretty historic temples before segueing into a wander among the treetops. It's a perfect little off-the-beaten-track adventure that requires no preparation.
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.