Yuantong Temple is an (almost) century-old religious establishment built into the hillside of New Taipei's Zhonghe District. The ridgeline behind it is crisscrossed with a network of trails where you can find all kinds of small shrines, statues and other interesting sights.
TRAILS WITH TEMPLES
MOUNT DULI (獨立山)
Mount Duli National Trail takes hikers up from Zhangnaoliao Station to Dulishan Station, crossing paths with Alishan Forestry Railway at several points, with a possible detour to a huge hikers’ kitchen in a temple.
獨立山國家步道
獨立山國家步道從樟腦寮車站一路攀升至獨立山車站，途中多次與阿里山林業鐵路交會，還可以繞道前往一座寺廟裡的大型登山客廚房。
MOUNT HONGDAN (紅淡山)
This trail makes for a serviceable half-day trip from Taipei with interesting temples, one of Taiwan’s 100 Minor Peaks, views, and the promise of dinner from one of Keelung’s many eateries.
LIGHTHOUSES, BAIMIWENG FORT and XIANDONG ZUISHENG CAVE TEMPLE (基隆走走：基隆燈塔/球子山燈塔/白米甕砲臺/仙洞巖最勝寺)
This trail in Keelung's Zhongshan District isn't the prettiest walk I've ever done, but it certainly packs in a lot of interesting spots into its short length. There are two lighthouses, port views, a fort, and a subterranean temple.
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.
SANMIN BAT CAVE and GUANYIN TEMPLE (三民蝙蝠洞/觀音洞)
An easy walk in Taoyuan's mountainous Fuxing District that packs a lot into its short length. There's a bat cave, a waterfall, and a unique temple built around a mountain spring—more than enough to make it worth a trip.
DENGMIAO TRAIL (登廟步道)
The majority of Dengmiao Trail is in Changhua County, but for a brief moment it will take you over the border into Nantou County. It's a casual, Sunday afternoon type wander with a good chance of spotting some Formosan rock macaques.
SHIGUANG HISTORIC TRAIL (石光古道)
This easy walk in Hsinchu's Guanxi Township takes hikers along a historic trail and past a unique Catholic Shrine.
XINPU WANDER (新埔走走)
This leisurely stroll around the rural Hakka town of Xinpu takes in a hillside park, a series of temples, historic houses, a market, and some temple unusual artwork.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 7 (樟之細路D7)
Day seven on the Raknus Selu Trail links the temple complex at Miaoli's Lion's Head Mountain with the sleepy town of Sanwan.
MOUNT DAGANG and PANLONG CANYON (大崗山/盤龍峽谷/天靈洞)
This easy trail in Kaosiung's Alian District is full of interesting details. There's a twisty slot canyon, a temple in a cave, and one of Taiwan's 100 Minor Peaks.
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.
LINGBO TEMPLE WALK (靈菩寺/四股埤步道)
Lingbo Temple Trail is a tiny little walk in Xizhi that's probably only visited by a handful of locals. It takes you up to a temple with a view over the area, then heads back down along a fishing pond and past a cute little temple in a cave.
SOUTH GUANYIN MOUNTAIN (南觀音山)
This enjoyable loop trail in Taichung will take you to number 42 of Taiwan's list of 100 Minor Peaks. It is well-known in Taiwan's hiking circles for the odd sight of a giant golden hand at the summit.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 