This short wander through bamboo forest offers a pleasant way to stretch your legs as part of a visit to the small town of Xindian in Miaoli's Shitan Township.
Taiwan hikes
SHUISHAN GIANT TREE TRAIL (水山神木步道)
The Shuishan Giant Tree Trail is an easy walk in the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area that is suitable for hikers of all levels of experience. The trail takes you through old forests and along old railway tracks.
LIJIA ROMANTIC CAVE TRAIL (里佳風流洞步道)
The small village of Lijia—known as Niae’ucna to its 300-odd Tsou inhabitants—sits deep in the hills of Chiayi County. The Romantic Cave Trail takes you on a brief wander past a couple of spots that hold spiritual or cultural significance to the tribesfolk, and as such, it is a great way to simultaneously enjoy nature and learn more about the village.
NANYA MOUNTAIN and FRONT TEETH ROCKS (南雅山/門牙岩)
This exciting trail on Taiwan's northeastern coast offers hikers sea views, fun climbs, and some interesting rock formations.
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.
MIANYUE LINE (眠月線)
The Mianyue Line hike has to be one of the most photographed hikes in Taiwan. Kilometre after kilometre of trestle bridges, mossy tracks, and abandoned tunnels stretch out through beautiful old forests, high up in the clear air of Chiayi. It is not hard to see why this hike has become popular.
JINMIAN SHAN SUNRISE HIKE (金面山日出)
Mount Jinmian — or more accurately, Scissors Rock —offers one of the best spots from which to catch the sunrise over Taipei and watch the city waking up.
XIAQIGU WILD HOTSPRING (下七股野溪溫泉)
This very short walk in Yangmingshan National Park's northern reaches offers you the chance to soak in a milky-watered hot spring pool while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
MOUNT JIANGZILIAO (姜子寮山)
Hikers who visit this short trail in New Taipei's Xizhi District will be rewarded with panoramic views for minimal effort.
MOUNT DAHENGPING (大橫屏山)
This quiet ridge hike straddles the border of Taichung and Nantou Counties. In clear weather, it offers a few views, but even on hazy days, the forest scenery makes for pleasant walking.
TUKUYUE (土庫岳)
This quick loop in the southern reaches of Taipei City is an one of easy 100 Minor Peaks that can be visited in half a day.
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.
FENQI TRAIL (奮起步道)
This short and well-kept walk skirts around the historic town of Fenqihu in Chiayi's Zhuqi Township. Along the way, you can enjoy majestic bamboo forests and hear the melodic sounds of so much bird life.
STEGOSAURUS RIDGE (劍龍稜)
Stegosaurus Ridge has to be one of the most superlative day hikes that you can do in northern Taiwan. It offers spectacular views of grassy slopes and dramatic rocky ridges set against bright blue coastal waters, and is very much a full-body workout kind of hike.
WUFENGQI WATERFALLS and OUR LADY OF WUFENGQI CHURCH (五峰旗瀑布/五峰旗聖母朝聖地)
Wufengqi Scenic Area in Yilan’s Jiaoxi District is a great place to escape to when the mercury starts to rise. Walking the shaded waterfall trails and paddling in the shallow stream can help to counter the oppressive summer heat.