EASY HIKES IN NEW TAIPEI CITY

Walks listed with the most recent at the top. There might be some overlap between easy and moderate hikes.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 10B

This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail packs a lot of interesting spots into its not-quite-14km length. There are not one, but two Xiao Bai Yue, and one of Taipei’s most impressive land god temples.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 10A

Leading from Sanxia District and on towards Tucheng, this section of the Taipei Skyline Trail was an unexpected pleasure. Gently taxing and quiet ridge line trails offer a wonderful escape from the city.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 9A

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.

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 7B

This section of the TSLT picks up in Wugu and makes its way through some pleasant edge-of-the-city type trails as it skirts the northwestern edge of Taipei.

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 4 (Short Version)

The highlight of this section of the Taipei Skyline Trail is unquestionably the exceedingly cool temple cave close to Mount Hongdan. That aside, it involves some pleasant wandering over less-travelled paths, and passes plenty of historic spots.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 2A

This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail covers one of the quintessential Taipei day hikes: the spectacular Huangdidian. Bring a camera and a well-rested body, and come prepared for a very fun walk.

ZHONGGANG MAIN DRAINAGE TRAIL (中港大排)

You could be forgiven for thinking that New Taipei’s heavily industrial Xinzhuang District doesn’t have any beauty spots worth investigating. But have you visited Zhonggang Main Drainage Trail yet? Taroko Gorge, it’s not, but for an inner city wander, it’s not too shabby.

MENGHUAN FALLS (夢幻瀑布)

The hills rising to either side of the picturesque Pingxi Line are dotted with numerous mountain streams and waterfalls. Menghuan Waterfall is perhaps less well known than some of the others, but its secluded nature makes it a great spot to visit.

MOUNT WUFEN (五分山)

Mount Wufen is a rewarding half day hike in northern Taiwan’s Pingxi District. Ideal for Taipei-based day trippers looking for a scenic walk, this trail will take you up through lush forests to an open grassy ridge with expansive views over the many-layered hills of Pingxi.

JINGUASHI AQUEDUCT TRAIL (山尖路步道)

This short trail linking the two popular tourist villages of Jiufen and Jinguashi takes you past aqueducts that were used during the area’s industrial past. It’s a great way to stretch your legs after sampling the edible delights of Jiufen Old Street.

TEA MOUNTAIN TRAIL (茶山步道)

Tea Mountain Trail sits just little north of Jinshan on Taiwan’s northern coast. This easy walk does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a mountain, and there’s tea growing on it. It’s perhaps not the most thrilling walk out there, but it’s a pleasant walk in a part of Taiwan that I haven’t spent nearly enough time in.

DASHEHU TRAIL (大舌湖健行步道)

This short and easy trail in New Taipei’s Pinglin District is a good choice for a lazy summer afternoon. It meanders along a river, through rows of tea, and takes you down to a pretty suspension bridge.

LINGJIAO and WANGGU WATERFALLS (嶺腳瀑布/望古瀑布)

The Lingjiao to Wanggu Trail packs an awful lot into its short length. You get not one, but two waterfalls, a dash of history and a trail that’s both pretty and gentle. It’s also short enough that you can combine it with a visit to some of the other sights and trails along the Pingxi Line.

TUCHENG TUNG BLOSSOM TRAIL (土城油桐花步道)

Every April and May the mountains around Taipei are cloaked with the white blossom of the tung tree. Getting out to observe this May ‘snowfall’ is a popular activity amongst the locals, and this trail in Tucheng is one of many places you can go to join in.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: NEIGANJIAO to SHIFEN (淡蘭古道中路：內柑腳/十分)

The stretch of the Tamsui-Kavalan trails leading into Shifen from the south is probably the quietest section of the middle route, but don’t let that put you off. This really has the feel of a functional historic trail, leading you over the hills and across the valley from one village to another. And those who walk it south to north can reward themselves with some snacks from Shifen Old Street.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: DALI to YILAN (淡蘭古道北路：大里/外澳/頭城/礁溪/宜蘭)

This leg of the journey ties up the northern, middle and southern routes on their route into the centre of Yilan. Along the way you can stop to take in some grand coastal scenery, soak up the sun at the surfer beach in Wai’ao, visit Toucheng’s historic old street and dip your toes in Jiaoxi’s hot spring waters. Although it may not seem like the obvious place to go for a stroll, those who do walk this way will certainly find plenty to keep themselves interested.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: FULONG to DALI (淡蘭古道北路：福隆/大里)

This stretch of the northern Tamsui-Kavalan Trails connects the relaxed beach town of Fulong with the fishing villages of Shicheng and Dali. On the way it takes you past the old Caoling Tunnel, and perhaps even follows the route taken by Wusha – the immigrant credited with being ‘the pioneer of Yilan’.

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…

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.

YUE SHAN HU CLIFF LOOP (月扇湖大岩壁)

Shiding is famous amongst hikers for being the starting point of Huandidian’s dramatic ridge walk, but the area has more to offer than that. Just a ten minute drive from Shiding Old Street you can find the start of Yue Shan Hu Cliff Trail – a fascinating little loop with some spectacular geology and a few traces of the area’s past life as a mining town.

DACUKENG OLD TRAIL (大粗坑古道)

Now inhabited solely by stray dogs, the abandoned settlement of Dacukeng was once a thriving village supported by the profits of the area’s abundant ‘black gold’ – coal. Climb the stairs to see what’s left of this community, and then continue of to Jiufen for some well-earned snacks.

RUYI LAKE and JINMING SHAN (如意湖/金明山)

A small, but perfectly formed hike tucked away in a corner of New Taipei City’s Xizhi District. Despite being only a couple of kilometres long, this walk manages to pack in some ridge climbing, a small lake and a few views.

YONGHE RIDGE LOOP (國旗嶺/鄧公嶺/烘爐地南山福德宮)

Whilst Taipei’s northern and eastern hills tend to get most of the attention, this trail to the southwest of the city has plenty to offer the traveller who strays from the well-trodden trails of Yangmingshan Park. Indeed, as the locals know, Yonghe District has well-trodden paths of its own to explore. This route takes in ancient banyans, views to both the north and the south, all manner of trail types and enough temples to satisfy the very keenest of temple aficionados.

MOUNT HEMEI TRAIL (和美山步道)

Once a highlight of Taiwan’s domestic tourism industry, Bitan is now a relaxed feeling, end-of-the-line destination, mostly populated by families looking for an easy day out. To see a different side of this weekend hotspot you can cross over the suspension bridge and take a walk up one of the trails up to Hemei Peak. With it’s abandoned amusement park and the return trip on the lone surviving paddle ferry, this really is a wander into Bitan’s past.

YUAN SHAN HIKING TRAIL (鳶山登山步道)

The first hike that comes to mind when thinking of Sanxia District is the ever-popular Wuliaojian trail. But if you’re not feeling up to such a tough climb, you could always set your sights on this not-so-extreme ridge walk.

XIU QI SHAN TRAIL (秀崎山登山步道)

A short and easy meander over some of the less frequented hills of the northeastern coast. Given how convenient the trains are, this would make a good place to come for a quick half-day adventure out of Taipei.

YINGGE ROCK TRAIL (鶯歌石登山步道)

A short and sweet loop out of Yingge’s ceramics neighbourhood. Sights on this walk include views over Sanxia, shrines in naturally hollowed out caves and a close-up view of the eponymous Yingge Rock, (a large bird-shaped stone which was said to have emitted toxic vapours until it was cannoned by Koxinga’a army).

SANDIAOLING WATERFALL TRAIL (三貂嶺瀑布步)

This trail is one of the most popular day hikes in northern Taiwan, and for good reason. You’ll enjoy waterfalls, a shaded walk by a stream and a dash of adventure…and all easily accessible using public transport.

CAOLING HISTORIC TRAIL (草嶺古道)

This historic and very accessible trail will take you over the hills from Dali to Fulong next to an inviting river stream. Better yet, you can look forward to a refreshing swim once you've reached your destination.

See all hikes in New Taipei

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.