This trail winds through Kaohsiung's coral limestone hills, past ruins of old cement quarries and monkey-filled hedgerows on its way to the summit of Mount Shou (well, near enough the summit). As well as enjoying the views, hikers interested in climbing all of Taiwan’s 100 Minor Peaks can bag themselves an easy one.
TAIWAN 100 MINOR PEAKS
FENQIHU’S MOUNT DADONG (奮起湖大凍山)
Most visitors to Fenqihu come for the old street and the lunchboxes. This pleasant trail climbing to one of Chiayi's lesser-visited Taiwan 100 Minor Peaks is a short scooter ride out of town, and rewards those who venture a little further with bamboo groves, fine forest, monkey sightings, and a summit view from nearly 2,000 metres up.
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.
MOUNT SONGBOKENG (松柏坑山)
This gentle walk in Nantou County has to be one of the easiest of Taiwan's Xiao Bai Yue. From Songboling Shoutian Temple, rural lanes take you on a gentle ramble through tea plantations, pineapple patches, and decommissioned military bunkers.
DAKENG TRAIL 4 & MOUNT TOUKE (大坑四號登山步道)
This picturesque trail in Taichung's Beitun District is a unique Taiwan hiking experience — an undulating log path leads up to some great views.
LIYU MOUNTAIN (鯉魚山)
Climbing from the shore of Liyu Lake, the Liyu Mountain Trail is a short and pleasant shaded walk with ample opportunities for bird and monkey sightings.
MOUNT DALUNTOU (大崙頭山)
Mount Daluntou can be found in the green-clad slopes separating downtown Taipei from the more extensive greenery of Yangmingshan National Park. It is an easy Xiao Bai Yue and a simple half-day Taipei hike.
MOUNT DASHANMU (大山母山)
Mount Dashanmu, Taiwan's southernmost Xiao Bai Yue, is a short and sweet hike with views overlooking the coast.
GUANYIN MOUNTAIN (觀音山)
Guanyin Mountain rises from the banks of Tamsui River in New Taipei’s Bali and Wugu Districts. Its nickname is tough guy peak on account of the fact that climbing it was previously used as an entoughenmemt activity for military police officers, and for those unacquainted with Taiwan’s steep, steep steps, it’s clear to see why.
DAJIAN MOUNTAIN NIGHT HIKE (大尖山夜爬)
This short hike in New Taipei’s Xizhi District combines a Xiao Bai Yue with pretty night views. It’s small, too, so it’s a perfect post-dinner or pre-supper walk for anyone planning to grab some grub at Xizhi’s Tourist Night Market.
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.
LOVERS’ LAKE ROUND-MOUNTAIN TRAIL (情人湖環山步道)
Lovers' Lake is a natural lake in the hills to the north of Keelung. It is encircled by two trails—a shorter and easier one that sticks close to the lakeshore called the Round Lake Trail, and a longer one that takes in more ocean views called the Round Mountain Trail. This post covers the second of those two options.
MOUNT XIZHOU (溪洲山)
Climbing Taoyuan's Mount Xizhou—one of Taiwan's 100 Minor Peaks—is a pleasant half-day adventure on the northern edge of Shimen Reservoir. The shady trail winds up through a series of forest clearings and is a popular exercise spot for local retirees.
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.
MOUNT TAIWU (太武山)
This 253m high peak is the ninety-ninth of Taiwan’s Xiao Bai Yue, and the highest point in the whole of Kinmen. From Jinsha and Jinhu Townships, it’s an especially commanding feature of the landscape, its pale granite flanks are visible from pretty much wherever you go.