Walks listed with the most recent at the top. There might be some overlap between moderate and challenging hikes.
TAIWAN BEECH NATIONAL TRAIL (台灣山毛櫸國家步道)
Tucked snuggly into the innermost reaches of Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area, Taiwan Beech National Trail is a pretty forested walk which takes hikers through an ancient stand of beech trees that is thought to date back to the last Ice Age.
SANXING MOUNTAIN (三星山)
The Mount Sanxing Trail is a steep and pretty walk through varied forest landscapes to the highest summit within the boundaries of Taiping National Forest Recreation Area.
MATCHA MOUNTAIN and MOUNT SANJIAOLUN (抹茶山/三角崙山)
You won’t find Matcha Mountain on any official maps, but that hasn’t stopped this spot becoming one of the hottest places for tourists to visit in Taiwan. An easy (if long) trail takes hikers up through pleasant forest to a summit with spectacular views of hills cloaked in shimmering grasses. Once you’ve made it to the top, it’s easy to see the appeal.
ZUOMI TRAIL & NANSHAN SACRED TREES (佐米縱走/南山神木)
This strenuous and beautiful walk in Yilan’s Datong District visits some of the giant trees found within Cilan Major Wildlife Habitat.
TAOYUAN VALLEY via SHIGUANYIN TEMPLE TRAIL (桃源谷步道-石觀音線)
Taoyuan Valley Trail is one of the classic day hikes in northern Taiwan. It offers free-roaming water buffalo and views for days… just be prepared to earn all the enjoyment with plenty of hard work.
TAIWAN HEMLOCK TRAIL (鐵杉林自然步道)
Taipingshan’s Hemlock Trail is an enchanted forest wonderland. If you’re planning your trip to the area, then make sure to include this spectacular route on your itinerary.
CUEIFENG LAKE CIRCULAR TRAIL (翠峰湖環山步道)
Cueifeng Lake was Taiwan’s first ever officially designated silent trail. The thick carpet of lush mosses and frequent cloud cover mean that the area exists in a perpetual hush – it’s the perfect antidote to city life.
TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: QINGYUN BRIDGE to JIAOXI (淡蘭古道南路：清雲橋/礁溪)
The most southeasterly section of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails hews close to Beiyi North Road as it winds its way over hill and stream into the hot spring town of Jiaoxi. Aside from the always popular Paoma Historic Trail, you can reasonably expect to have the path all to yourself for long stretches.
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…
TONGHOU STREAM and MOUNT HONGLUDI (桶後溪/烘爐地山)
One for the water lovers, Tonghou Stream trail is a delightful adventure in the quiet hills above Yilan. Its relative difficulty to access means that the scenery is still beautifully pristine.
TAOYUAN VALLEY TRAIL (桃源谷步道)
The Taoyuan Valley Trail is one of those that’s right up there in all of the listicles outlining the ‘top 10 hikes in northern Taiwan’, and whilst that means you’re unlikely to find solitude in the hills here, the popularity is for good reason. For those who prefer to follow well-marked routes and not stray too far from the beaten path, then the views offered by this trail are hard to best.
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 have reached your destination.
ST. MARIAN’S HIKING TRAIL (聖母山步道)
St. Marian’s Hiking Trail, also known more recently as Matcha Mountain is a well known trail in Yilan’s Jiaoxi District. It’s a big climb with views that are guaranteed to make you glad you made the effort.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 