Walks listed with the most recent at the top. There might be some overlap between moderate and challenging 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.
DONGMAN TRAIL (東滿步道)
Dongman Trail is a unique experience among Taiwan hiking trails in that it connects two of Taiwan’s forest recreation areas: Dongyanshan and Manyueyuan. At around 16-17km, it is a relatively long day-hike, but walkers who venture onto this route are treated to picturesque and peaceful forest scenery.
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 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.
MOUNT NAJIE (那結山)
The trail to Mount Najie offers some fun scrambling up through the tall forests of Taoyuan’s Fuxing District. If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the crowds, then this is the peak for you.
DATIELIAO OLD TRAIL to BAISHI SHAN and JINMIAN SHAN (打鐵寮古道/白石山/十三分山/金面山)
This varied walk follows a beautiful reclaimed historic trail alongside a stream and then climbs to a ridge line with views over Taoyuan City as well as some of the county’s more remote villages.
FUXING JIAN SHAN (復興尖山)
This trail in Taoyuan’s Fuxing District boasts dramatic mountainscapes, wonderful old forest scenery, some seriously tiring walking and just a touch of adrenalin-stoking danger.
SHINIU SHAN (石牛山)
This unexpectedly enjoyable loop just south of Shimen reservoir combines a fun upwards scramble with attractive views from the peak and a much gentler route down.
SILENG HOT SPRING (四稜溫泉)
A challenging climb will lead you to this wild hotspring hidden in the shade of a valley.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 