Tefuye Historic Trail has been reinvented several times over the years. It started off as a hunting and trading route for the Tsou aboriginals who live in the region. Later, the Japanese turned it into a logging railway, and now it has a third life as a much-loved hiking trail.
SPECIAL HIKES
LIJIA ROMANTIC CAVE TRAIL (里佳風流洞步道)
The small village of Lijia—known as Niae’ucna to its 300-odd Tsou inhabitants—sits deep in the hills of Chiayi County. The Romantic Cave Trail takes you on a brief wander past a couple of spots that hold spiritual or cultural significance to the tribesfolk, and as such, it is a great way to simultaneously enjoy nature and learn more about the village.
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.
LULIN MOUNTAIN and LINZHI MOUNTAIN (鹿林山/林趾山)
This scenic and permit-free walk offers hikers the chance to enjoy the beauty of Yushan National Park without having to plan the trip months in advance.
XUESHAN SACRED TREE TRAIL (雪山神木)
Xueshan sacred tree is a giant tree is a century-old giant Formosan cypress that sits deep within Daxueshan National Park. It stands in a small clearing, accessible via a 1.5-kilometre stroll down an old track, and — thanks to the fact that there used to be a carpark down here — you can stand back and take in the whole tree.
MUMA HISTORIC TRAIL (木馬古道)
Muma Historic Trail is one of several hiking trails located within the bounds of Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area. Being neither the longest, nor the shortest, not the easiest, nor the toughest walk in the park it presents a pleasant, middle-of-the-pack hike for anyone hoping to explore the area.
SANXING MOUNTAIN (三星山)
The Mount Sanxing Trail is a steep and pretty walk through varied forest landscapes to the highest summit within the boundaries of Taiping National Forest Recreation Area.
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.
XIAOXUESHAN HEAVENLY POND TRAIL (小雪山天池)
Xiaoxueshan’s Heavenly Pond is a beautiful alpine pool sitting at an elevation of over 2,000 metres within Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area. It’s accessible via a very easy, mostly flat trail from Xiaoxueshan Visitor Information Station.
CHERRY BLOSSOM in LOHAS PARK (樂活公園櫻花季)
Every sakura season, the otherwise non-descript Lohas Park becomes a crowded riot of colour as the full blooms of cherry trees attract hoards of sightseers and photographers. More blossom and some easy walking can be found along the banks of Neigou Creek, which straddles the boundary between Taipei and New Taipei.
MIANYUE LINE (眠月線)
The Mianyue Line hike has to be one of the most photographed hikes in Taiwan. Kilometre after kilometre of trestle bridges, mossy tracks, and abandoned tunnels stretch out through beautiful old forests, high up in the clear air of Chiayi. It is not hard to see why this hike has become popular.
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.
YAKOU LOOKOUT TRAIL (埡口觀景台步道)
If you’re heading to Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area and want to do a walk with views, this short hike to a panoramic lookout platform is undoubtedly the walk for you.
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.
TAIXINGYAN TRAIL (太興岩步道)
This short walk in Chiayi's Meishan Township offers pretty mountain scenery and a gentle way to stretch your legs on the drive up to Ruitan or Fenqihu.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 