EASY HIKES IN TAOYUAN COUNTY

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

LALASHAN SACRED TREE TRAIL (拉拉山神木群歩道)

Lalashan — R’ra in the local Tayal language — is one of 19 such designated national forest recreation areas in Taiwan. It occupies an area of land that sits 1,500 to 2,130 metres above sea level in Taoyuan’s Fuxing District up a winding road dotted with Tayal villages. The forest is home to many ancient trees, some of them centuries old, and a pleasantly shady trail takes hikers on a meandering loop to greet these sacred giants.

MOUNT XIZHOU (溪洲山)

Climbing Taoyuan’s Mount Xizhou—one of Taiwan’s 100 Minor Peaks—is a pleasant half-day adventure on the northern edge of Shimen Reservoir. The shady trail winds up through a series of forest clearings and is a popular exercise spot for local retirees.

TAOLIN BIKEWAY (桃林鐵路自行車道)

This gentle ride in Taoyuan has been deftly stitched together from the remains of the old Taolin coal railway. The scenery cannot be described as breathtaking, but it’s a fun way to explore part of Taoyuan that’s well off the tourist trail.

QINZI PEAK TRAIL (親子峰步道)

This easy walk in Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area takes you through some lovely forest scenery, and the location is perfect for indulging in a spot of bird or wildlife watching.

MOUNT DONGYAN (東眼山)

This beautiful trail in Taoyuan’s Fuxing District takes you up to the summit of Mount Dongyan via some incredibly pretty forest footpaths.

RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 1 (樟之細路D1)

This first day on the Raknus Selu Trail is a looping wander which starts at Sankeng Old Street before heading down to the banks of the river that once made the area prosperous.

ZHIXING OLD TRAIL (知性古道)

A short and simple Sunday afternoon type of stroll. For anyone wanting more of a workout, there’s always the option to include the adjoining Wu Jiu Tong Trail.

GUI SHAN MOUNTAINTOP LOOP (龜山山頂小O型縱走)

A leisurely loop walk which starts out from a very ‘Taiwan-feeling’ village community. You’ll pass university buildings, small ponds and a temple as well as meander through allotments and a graveyard. On clear days, there are views of layered hills out towards Sanxia and beyond from the easternmost point of the walk.

FUYUAN ANCIENT BANYAN TRAIL (福源山步道)

A quiet and pretty hiking trail just outside of Taipei. Along the way you can enjoy quirks of nature like the thousand year banyan tree and a lily pond half way up a mountain (well, it’s more of a big hill really).

See all hikes in Taoyuan