Walks listed with the most recent at the top. There might be some overlap between easy and moderate hikes.
SMANGUS GIANT TREES (司馬庫斯巨木步道)
This trail in Hsinchu’s hilly Jianshi District has been voted one of the best trails in Taiwan by users of the popular Hiking Biji app, and for good reason. This moderately easy trail combines beautiful forest scenery with giant trees, abundant nature, and an aboriginal mountain village.
NANPING HISTORIC TRAIL and MATAI HISTORIC TRAIL (南坪古道/馬胎古道)
This gentle and pleasant trail looping from Neiwan Old Street takes you up to the small tribal village of Matai via historic footpaths and past pretty fern-laced streams.
SHIGUANG HISTORIC TRAIL (石光古道)
This easy walk in Hsinchu’s Guanxi Township takes hikers along a historic trail and past a unique Catholic Shrine.
XINPU WANDER (新埔走走)
This leisurely stroll around the rural Hakka town of Xinpu takes in a hillside park, a series of temples, historic houses, a market, and some temple unusual artwork.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 6 (樟之細路D6)
Day 6 on the Raknus Selu was a special one. Leaving Beipu behind, the trail climbs towards the border with Miaoli, passing numerous temples along the way. For me, the highlight of this day was watching the sunset from the courtyard in front of Quanhua Temple.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 5 (樟之細路D5)
Day five on the Raknus Selu is a short and very easy wander along the lanes between Zhudong and Beipu.
RAKNUS SELU DAY TRAIL 4 (樟之細路D4)
This easy day on the Raknus Selu Trail covers a fair amount of ground. There are some historic trails, some mountain roads, and two of the trail passport stamps.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 3 via DU’NAN HISTORIC TRAIL (樟之細路D3A)
This span of the RST crosses the hills between Guanxi with Hengshan. Along the way, you’ll pass waterwheels that are still in operation as well as twin temples which sparked a disagreement between neighbouring townships, and plenty of orange farms.
RAKNUS SELU DAY 3 via BAILING PAVILION (樟之細路D3B)
There are two routes connecting Hsinchu’s Guanxi and Hengshan Townships. This one follows small roads and agricultural tracks as it cuts through low hills on its way south.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 2 (樟之細路D2)
Day two on the Raknus Selu Trail is the first time that the route takes you off the roads and gets you walking on some of the old trails that crisscross the area’s hills.
RENHE TUNG BLOSSOM TRAIL (仁和步道)
This short trail in Hsinchu is a good place to do a spot of tung blossom viewing. What makes it even more appealing is that the walk starts and finishes at sleepy Hukou Old Street, where you can enjoy a few Hakka dishes and/or a cup of coffee.
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.
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.
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.
FENG QI SUNSET TRAIL (鳳崎落日步道)
An easy and leisurely afternoon walk taking in military relics. Bring your significant other and aim to finish the walk around sundown so that you can watch the sunset together as you gaze out over the Taiwan Strait.
LUBI MOUNTAIN THERE-AND-BACK (魯壁山)
This climb is a great way to stretch your legs after getting carsick on all those windy mountain roads.
This is currently an unpaid side passion project and I will continue doing it just for the love of it, but of course if you like what I do and feel inclined to chip in a few dollars for transport and time then I would appreciate it immensely. You can find me on either Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 