Taiwan Trails and Tales

a guide to get you out of the city and into the hills

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SPECIAL HIKES

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 3

February 11, 2023December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / 5 Comments

Straddling Xizhi and Ruifang Districts, Section three of the Taipei Skyline Trail offers a good workout, a few views, a historic fort, and one of Taiwan's Minor 100 Peaks.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 2B

February 4, 2023December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail was an unexpected delight. It has the twin charms of both a fun ridge walk and a temple-studded historic trail.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 2A

February 4, 2023December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / 4 Comments

This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail covers one of the quintessential Taipei day hikes: the spectacular Huangdidian. Bring a camera and a well-rested body, and come prepared for a very fun walk.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 1B

January 28, 2023December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail really packs in the views. Taking you from Caonan in the east to Shiding in the west, it offers thrilling climbing and some tantalising views over the famous Huangdidian Ridge.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 1A

January 28, 2023December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / 3 Comments

Climbing from the cerulean waters of Xindian River, this section of the Taipei Skyline Trail takes you up to the ridge line that runs from Bitan over towards Shiding, getting steadily more rugged as it makes its way further east.

MOUNT WANGYELUN and LONGLIN BIZARRE STONES (王爺崙山/龍鱗奇岩)

January 21, 2023December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

There's some fun hiking to be had in the hills around Tainan. Case in point is this neat little loop in Nanhua District. It has rocky scrambles, beautiful, sprawling trees, and (in clear weather), great views of the surrounding area.

MOUNT KAIYANLUN and TEA TERRACE TRAIL (開眼崙山/茶園步道)

January 14, 2023May 24, 2025 / taiwantrailsandtales / 2 Comments

This short loop in New Taipei's Pinglin District offers a lot of beauty for not much leg work. After a steep (but short) climb to the peak, you are then treated to stunning views of Pinglin's neat tea plantations as you make your way slowly back to the start.

MOUNT MAWUBUA (馬武霸山)

January 7, 2023June 2, 2025 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

Mount Mawuba, Mawuba Shan Trail inside Shei-pa National Park Mount Mawuba sits just inside the borders of Shei-pa National Park, deep inside Taichung's mountainous Heping District. It's a breathtakingly beautiful walk, and best of all, it doesn't require any permits.

HENGCHUN CITY WALLS (恆春縣城)

December 31, 2022December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / 2 Comments

The old town of Hengchun is one great alternative to Kenting, and the historic city walls provide visitors with the perfect ‘no plan’ day out. Just lace up your shoes and start walking, letting your interest and stomach divert you as necessary.

ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN to LION MOUNTAIN LOOP (象山/獅山O型)

December 24, 2022December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

Lurking in the hills below Mount Nangang and 95 Peak are wild animals. An elephant, a lion, a tiger and a leopard which are collectively known as the Four Beasts. (Ok, so technically they're hills rather than real beasts.) This loop takes in two of the four, and explores some of the lesser known trails in the area.

JINGYING WATERFALL and HOT SPRING (精英瀑布/精英溫泉)

December 17, 2022December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

This hard-to-reach spot in the middle of Nantou County offers two for the price of one. Here you'll find both Jingying Waterfall and Jingying hot springs.

XIANDONGHU SHAN and YUEMEI CAVE (仙洞湖山/月眉洞)

December 10, 2022December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

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.

THUMB MOUNTAIN SUNRISE (拇指山日出)

December 3, 2022December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

There is something undeniably special about hiking up through the thinning dark to watch the sun cast its first rays over the landscape. This short trail in Taipei's Xinyi District offers a great vantage point to see the sun come up, and observe the city as it gets ready to start a new day

TAITUNG FOREST PARK (臺東森林公園)

November 26, 2022December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / 2 Comments

Hemmed in between the broad expanse of Beinan River and the city of Taitung sits the quiet oasis of Taitung Forest Park. Its leafy lanes and tranquil wetlands make for a great half day retreat.

TAITUNG’S CARP HILL ( 臺東鯉魚山)

November 26, 2022December 2, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

Carp Hill is perhaps the most prominent geological feature in Taitung City, and if you're visiting Taitung then climbing it is a great way to see the city from another angle.

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Taiwan Trails and Tales Facebook

Taiwan Trails and Tales Facebook
Last year, when I had a chunk of free time and a T-pass, I went on a mission to see how far the 北北基桃 (Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan) pass would take me and ended up exploring a few spots in Taoyuan’s mountainous Fuxing District that I hadn’t previously been to, among them, Xiaowulai and the hot spring village of Luofu. Yes, it’s a long way, but if you pack a swimming costume, this is a full day out. Guess where. Tung season is currently bringing its white, green and blue colour palette to the hills of northern Taiwan. These photos are from Daqiong Trail in Taoyuan — a popular spot with blossom chasers.

Note: Taiwan Trails and Tales has been going for over eight years now, so there are a fair few dead links and bits of information that need updating on the site. If you find one, I would greatly appreciate it if you let me know either by commenting on that post or by dropping me a line in the contact form (on the "About" page) so that I can remove or update it.

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