This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail is unique in that it is almost a loop. It covers conjoined ridges that form a horseshoe-esque shape stretching from Sanxia, out towards Daxi, and then back to Sanxia again.
TAIWAN 100 MINOR PEAKS
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 8
This leg of the Taipei Skyline Trail (best done in one concerted push), takes you through along a pleasant and mostly very gentle ridge. As you make your way towards the centre of Taiwan's ceramic industry, you'll pass multiple peaks, an ancient banyan tree, and a legendary rock.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 7A
Section 7A of the Taipei Skyline Trail sees you scaling Mount Guanyin the hard way, before leading you along a quieter stretch of path to the place where Taiwan's Robin Hood (allegedly) met his end.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 6B
This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail offers grand views over Yangmingshan Park's western hills, as it takes walkers over the steep (and often) muddy peaks of the Mount Datun range.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 3
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 1B
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.
MOUNT LILONG (里龍山)
Mount Lilong is one of the more popular hiking trails in Pingtung County. The climb to this Minor 100 Peak takes you past streams, through pleasant forests full of monkeys and up to a summit which commands spectacular views over the coastline.
FIVE FINGER MOUNTAIN (五指山五峰連走O型)
Five Finger Mountain (or Mount Wuzhi), is so named because of the five prominent peaks that protrude along the ridge line. Instantly recognisable from afar, the conjoined summits do indeed (loosely) resemble a waving hand, and the trail connecting them make for a very enjoyable day's walking.
PHOENIX MOUNTAIN (鳳凰山)
Xitou is probably most famous for its Japanese folklore inspired monster village, but for those who prefer to escape the crowds, there are lots of hiking trails too. The climb up to Phoenix Mountain follows an atmospheric cloud-cloaked ridge line through towering bamboo forest, exactly the kind of place where you might run into a real mythological creature.
MOUNT SANTING (三汀山)
Santing Shan is one of Taiwan's 100 Minor Peaks, and can be reached after a short bus ride from Taichung Station.
SHEN-XIAN TRAIL (神仙縱走)
Shen-Xian Trail is an exhilarating ridge walk in Miaoli which will give you a great day’s workout.
YUN-CHIA FIVE PEAK TRAIL (雲嘉五連峰)
This exceptionally scenic trail straddles the border of Yunlin and Chiayi counties, and takes walkers on a breathtaking trek through tea plantations and coffee farms.
MOUNT EGONGJI and MOUNT NIAOZUI (鵝公髻山/鳥嘴山)
Situated in Hsinchu's Wufeng Township, Mount Egongj and its neighbour Mount Niaozui offer a great day's walking. Hikers can take in both dramatic views and photogenic forests on this enjoyable route.
HUOYAN SHAN (火炎山)
Fire Mountain's flame-red slopes are an instantly recognisable landmark for motorists driving between Taichung and Miaoli. This formerly restricted nature reserve is home to a Minor 100 Peak, and has some of the most unique terrain that you're likely to find in Taiwan.
FEIFENG SHAN, ZHONGKENG SHAN and SHIBITAN SHAN LOOP (飛鳳山/中坑山/石壁潭山O型)
This fun, half-day trail in Hsinchu County will take you to one of Taiwan's Minor 100 Peaks. There are a few scenic views along the way and you can even have the odd experience of seeing Taipei 101 from a different county.
taiwan trails and tales 