Rising 109 metres above Hualien City, this sweet-potato-shaped hill is criss-crossed with gentle trails and littered with rest areas and historic military bunkers. It's an easy and pleasant wander with plenty of vantage points, and in clear weather, early risers can catch the sunrise over the ocean.
Taiwan hikes
SHOUSHAN BOARDWALK TRAIL (壽山木棧道)
This boardwalk trail winds through Kaohsiung's coral-limestone Mount Shou, where relaxed troupes of monkeys and traces of the hill's military and cement-quarrying past keep things interesting. Multiple pavilions along the ridge offer free tea and sweeping views over the Taiwan Strait.
MOUNT BAIMAO (白毛山)
Mount Baimao is a mostly forested walk that saves its best for last with a dramatically exposed rocky ridge near the summit and sweeping views up Dajia River toward the hot spring town of Guguan.
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.
FULONGSHAN TRAIL and GUANYINSHAN TREETOP WALKWAY (福隆山/觀音山林梢步道)
This trail in New Taipei's Wugu District is absolutely choc full of cultural interest. It follows a walkway dotted with pretty historic temples before segueing into a wander among the treetops. It's a perfect little off-the-beaten-track adventure that requires no preparation.
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.
JINGUASHI to BENSHAN GEOLOGICAL PARK LOOP (金瓜石/本山地質公園O型)
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.
FISHERMAN’S TRAIL: SOUTHERN SECTION (魚路古道南段)
The Fisherman’s Trail is a historic 30-kilometre trading route connecting Jinshan on Taiwan’s northeastern coast with Shilin. This post covers the southern section connecting Qingtiangang with Shilin.
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.
DAGUI WATERFALL RIVER TRACE (大鬼瀑布溯溪)
With Taiwan's summers dragging on for a seemingly infinite length of time, there's nothing more appealing than immersing yourself in the nearest body of water and this easy river trace in New Taipei's Ruifang District is a top spot to stop off on a hot day.
FUSHAN BOTANICAL GARDEN (福山植物園)
Fushan Botanical Garden sits so deep within the hills of Yilan that it's actually in New Taipei's Wulai District.
SONGLUO NATIONAL TRAIL (松蘿國家步道)
Songluo Trail is a very scenic waterside hike in Yilan's Datong District. Formerly a Tayal hunting route, it has now been fashioned into a family-friendly trail that is perfect for keeping the summer heat at bay.
99 PEAKS FOREST TRAIL (九九峰森林步道)
The Ninety-Nine Peak Trail in Nantou is a short hike that can be completed within a couple of hours. It has been voted as one of the six best trails in Nantou and takes hikers through some geographically interesting terrain.
ZHUKENG STREAM TRAIL (竹坑溪步道)
This pleasant walk in Chiayi County takes in several waterfals, including one which cascades dramatically over a rock face.