The area around Jiufen and Jinguashi is absolutely riddled with hiking trails — many of which can be found on this site. This latest addition to the collection details an easy-to-moderate walk that takes in some sites of historical and geological interest.
SEASONAL SPECIALTIES
好望角
這條位於苗栗後龍鎮的短程海岸步道，擁有IG網美景點、高聳的風力發電機，還有改建的舊鐵路隧道，絕對能讓你玩得盡興。全程不到3公里，是個很棒的輕鬆健行選擇，也很適合在南北長途開車途中下車活動筋骨，或是來這裡欣賞夕陽美景。
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.
TAIWAN BEECH NATIONAL TRAIL (台灣山毛櫸國家步道)
Tucked snuggly into the innermost reaches of Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area, Taiwan Beech National Trail is a pretty forested walk which takes hikers through an ancient stand of beech trees that is thought to date back to the last Ice Age.
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.
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.
JINBAOLI TRAIL (金包里大路)
This historic trail in Yangmingshan National Park is a section of a longer trail of connecting Shilin with Jinshan. This section is a beautiful and gentle walk with different types of scenery to enjoy along the way.
MOUNT WANREN and SIXTY STONE MOUNTAIN (萬人山/六十石山)
Mount Wanren is an easy Xiao Bai Yue in the south of Hualien County. Although the climb to the summit is short, if you time your trip right, you can combine it with a visit to the spectacular daylily fields on the nearby slopes of Sixty Stone Mountain.
SANZHI TUNG BLOSSOM TRAIL (三芝油桐花步道)
The trail is located in the very northernmost tip of Taiwan, and is a short (slightly hilly) walk with lots of tung trees and some terraced rice paddies to enjoy.
EWEISHAN PADDY TERRACE and PINGJING STREET CHERRY BLOSSOM (鵝尾山水田/平菁街櫻花巷)
There are lots of cherry blossom viewing spots dotted around Taiwan, and taking a walk to enjoy the pretty pink petals is something that many locals like to indulge in at least once a year. This sakura spot in Yangmingshan National Park is an easy and convenient location to enjoy the pink petals.
TAOYUAN VALLEY via SHIGUANYIN TEMPLE TRAIL (桃源谷步道-石觀音線)
Taoyuan Valley Trail is one of the classic day hikes in northern Taiwan. It offers free-roaming water buffalo and views for days... just be prepared to earn all the enjoyment with plenty of hard work.
CARP HILL NIGHT HIKE (鯉魚山夜爬)
Carp Hill Trail is a lovely walk whatever time of day you go, but I hope this post emboldens you to pay it an after-dark visit. Not only is it home to a wonderfully diverse range of nocturnal critters, but it also has a prettily sparkling night view to enjoy all by yourself.
RENHE TUNG BLOSSOM TRAIL (仁和步道)
This short trail in Hsinchu is a good place to do a spot of tung blossom viewing. What makes it even more appealing is that the walk starts and finishes at sleepy Hukou Old Street, where you can enjoy a few Hakka dishes and/or a cup of coffee.
FIREFLY SPOTTING at YUANJUE WATERFALL (圓覺瀑布螢火蟲)
If you check online for the best places to see fireflies in Taipei, then one of the locations that appears in many of the lists is Dagouxi Waterfront Park. In fact, this is a little misleading since - while the walk does start there - you need to head a little further into the dark to spot any fireflies.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 