大屯溪古道)

February 24, 2019February 20, 2022 / taiwantrailsandtales / 4 Comments

This loop trail takes you to a wilder edge of Yangmingshan Park that many visitors never see. The first section is a tough climb through quiet, dense forest. The mid section takes you scrambling from peak to peak through a maze of bamboo. And during the final section all your hard work is rewarded as you experience the sheer pleasure of following a delightful stream carving its way down through a luscious valley.

MAI BA LAI SHAN (麥巴來山)

January 3, 2019February 20, 2022 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

When we signed in at the trailhead, the person manning the register said "the mountain is yours today, there's no one else." He wasn't wrong. Mai Ba Lai is never going to lure the crowds in search of Instagrammable views, but it offers another kind of draw: quietness and seemingly endless forest.

BIJIA RIDGE TO ERGE SHAN (筆架連峰)

October 17, 2018February 20, 2022 / taiwantrailsandtales / 2 Comments

If you've ever travelled to Yilan on Freeway Number 5, you might have glanced right just before you entered the first of the long tunnels and seen a tree-coated ridge running towards the west. If you're like me, that glimpse of intriguingly knobbly peaks and dips might have lead you to wonder what walking possibilities were hidden by the lush green foliage. The answer is the Bijia ridge trail - a strenuous, (but not difficult), and enjoyable trek which offers occasional great views and plenty of fun hiking.

WULAI SHAN TO DATONG SHAN (烏來山 / 大桶山)

July 15, 2018December 30, 2021 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

This challenging, but exceedingly fun route leads you from one of northern Taiwan's most scenic hot spring villages up some steep scrambles with great views over the valley. Remember to bring a towel and you can treat your tired feet to a soak in Wulai's mineral-rich waters at the end of the hike.

ZHI SHENG MAO TAI SHAN (芝生毛台山)

February 22, 2018February 20, 2022 / taiwantrailsandtales / 2 Comments

This very wild feeling trail leads you up a steep forested ridge through huge bamboo groves, into the domain of wild boars and barking deer, past hunting shelters and the traces of Taiwan's period of Japanese occupation.

YUANZUI SHAN to SHAOLAI SHAN (鳶嘴稍來山步道)

January 15, 2018September 23, 2022 / taiwantrailsandtales / 3 Comments

An exhilarating and energising trip up to some stupendous scenery. This walk takes in two peaks over 2000m, with stunning views from exposed ridges as well as the hushed calm of old forests.