This section’s use of riverside cycle paths makes it a very accessible stretch of the southern Tamsui-Kavalan Trails. What’s more, this ease of walking doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beautiful views since the scenery around Pinglin has its own effortless prettiness.
TAIWAN
TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: RUIFANG to FULONG (淡蘭古道北路：瑞芳/九份/福隆)
This section of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails will lead you through Jiufen and all the way to the sleepy beach town of Fulong. On the way you will get to take a wild wander over some of the less well known trails along Taiwan’s northeastern coast, as well as see traces of a rural way of life that you rarely find close to Taipei.
TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: PINGXI TOU to WAI’AO (淡蘭古道中路：坪溪頭/外澳)
If you know anyone who isn’t yet sold on the natural and cultural delights of Taiwan, then take them by the hand and lead them to the start of this trail for a condensed highlights-reel version of everything that makes me love this charming island. This portion of the middle Tamsui-Kavalan Trails follows the footsteps of the tea-traders of yesteryear over clear streams and vibrant forests to a mountain top and the coast beyond. Along the way you’ll meet the many gods who they trusted to keep them safe on their travels, and if you’re not utterly smitten with Taiwan by the time you finish, then you don’t have a heart.
TAIWAN: HIDDEN TREASURE OF ASIA
After four years of calling Taiwan my home I found myself taking part in a group tour to visit some areas with special natural characteristics. This is my journal of the experience.
TONGHOU STREAM and MOUNT HONGLUDI (桶後溪/烘爐地山)
One for the water lovers, Tonghou Stream trail is a delightful adventure in the quiet hills above Yilan. Its relative difficulty to access means that the scenery is still beautifully pristine.
KOUSHAN TRAIL (口山步道)
Koushan Trail is a short and gentle stroll in Miaoli's rural Zaoqiao Township. In the days when most travel was done on foot, it was part of the old footpath that used to link the village of Zaoqiao with the village of Tanwen further over towards the coast.
HOUSHANYUE (猴山岳)
Houshanyue is a thoroughly satisfying half-day hike that will satisfy your need for adventure without spoiling your lie-in.
GUIZIKENG TRAIL (貴子坑步道)
Guizikeng Trail is a short and easy walk in Beitou District. In the spring you can see cherry blossom, in summer you can come to enjoy the irrigation canal, and in winter you can round off the day with a trip to the nearby hot springs.
18 PEAKS MOUNTAIN PARK (十八尖山公園)
18 Peaks Mountain Park is one of Hsinchu's most easily accessible outdoor leisure spots. Not only does it draw outdoor fans in search of a scenic place for a stroll (or a jog), but its layered past means it also has much to attract history buffs.
NEISHUANG CREEK and XIN ZHEN TOU PEAK (內雙溪/新圳頭山)
A short walk in the southeastern corner of Yangmingshan National Park. This trail would make the perfect picnic walk to beat the summer heat.
MOUNT WU WO WEI (屋我尾山)
At 1796m above sea level Mount Wu Wo Wei is the third highest of the Guguan Seven Heroes. There are two routes to the peak, and since this post details the harder of the two, you can expect to have the peaceful forest to yourself for most of the walk.
XINDIAN LION’S HEAD MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAIL (新店獅頭山登山步道)
Lion’s Head Mountain is unassuming peak at the sourthernmost terminus of Taipei’s Songshan-Xindian line which holds unexpected opportunities for adventure. Popular with the local population of retirees, this network of paths is well furnished with shelters, and looping trails around the hillside with changing city-scapes at every turn.
JINGUALIAO FISH AND FERN TRAIL (金瓜寮魚蕨步道)
Nestled away in the tea-growing hills of Pinglin walkers can find the perfect antidote to summer's relentless heat: Jingualiao Fish and Fern Trail. This family-friendly trail meanders alongside Jingualiao Creek, and would be a perfect picnic spot.
GUANYIN SHAN NORTHERN CROSS ROUTE (觀音山北橫古道)
Anyone who has hiked in Yangmingshan National Park and cast their gaze across the Tamsui River towards Bali will have noticed the multiple peaks clustered around Guanyin Shan. This trail covers many of those peaks, and is a much more interesting walk than the stone steps that also climb to the top.
PINGXI CRAGS (平溪小三尖)
This is one of the all-time classic Taiwan hikes, and for good reason. Pingxi’s crags rise dramatically from the forest and are the perfect adventure playground for visitors from Taipei.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 