Despite being smallest among the regions covered by the Hiking Notes app’s list of Taiwan’s top 100 hiking trails (technically the cities of Hisnchu and Chiayi are smaller, but the app bundles them together with their eponymous counties), Keelung still manages to have six trails on the list and all of them are good’uns.
LOVERS’ LAKE ROUND-MOUNTAIN TRAIL (情人湖環山步道)
Lovers’ Lake is a natural lake in the hills to the north of Keelung. It is encircled by two trails—a shorter and easier one that sticks close to the lakeshore called the Round Lake Trail, and a longer one that takes in more ocean views called the Round Mountain Trail.…
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.
KEELUNG ISLET (基隆嶼)
Keelung Islet is a small rocky mound just a few kilometres off the coast of northern Taiwan. It is also a great choice for a day trip from the city.
WANGYOU VALLEY TRAIL ( 望幽谷步道)
Located on just south of Keelung, the scenic Wangyou Valley Trail is one of the best-known walks on Taiwan’s northeast coast.
MOUNT GONGZILIAO and GONGZILIAO FORT (槓子寮山/槓子寮砲臺)
The hills around Keelung are home to numerous old defensive structures left over from various periods in Taiwan’s history. The remains found here at Gongziliao Fort are the most extensive and well preserved out there.
NUANDONG VALLEY LOOP (暖東峽谷O型)
This short and sweet loop in Keelung’s overlooked Nuannuan District makes a great half day exploration. The trail tracks through quiet woodland and boasts beautiful views of water-sculpted rocks, as well as a couple of stream crossings and a photogenic land god temple thrown in for good measure.
