Chiayi is truly a magical place for foreign hikers hoping to experience something distinctly different from Europe or the Americas. Mountain villages accessed by historic railways, forests made of towering bamboo and slopes clad in precision-clipped rows of tea. On Fenrui Historic Trail, it’s tick, tick, tick to all of the above.
chiayi hiking trails map
MOUNT DULI (獨立山)
Mount Duli National Trail takes hikers up from Zhangnaoliao Station to Dulishan Station, crossing paths with Alishan Forestry Railway at several points, with a possible detour to a huge hikers’ kitchen in a temple.
ZHUKENG STREAM TRAIL (竹坑溪步道)
This pleasant walk in Chiayi County takes in several waterfals, including one which cascades dramatically over a rock face.
MOUNTAINS to SEA GREENWAY DAY 6 (山海圳國家級綠道D6)
Day six on the MSTW was a long day which mixed road walking with old indigenous trading routes. Highlights along the way are the slice of paradise that is Danaiku Nature Ecological Park, and the many rope bridges of Limei Refuge Trail.
SHUISHAN GIANT TREE TRAIL (水山神木步道)
The Shuishan Giant Tree Trail is an easy walk in the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area that is suitable for hikers of all levels of experience. The trail takes you through old forests and along old railway tracks.
MIANYUE LINE (眠月線)
The Mianyue Line hike has to be one of the most photographed hikes in Taiwan. Kilometre after kilometre of trestle bridges, mossy tracks, and abandoned tunnels stretch out through beautiful old forests, high up in the clear air of Chiayi. It is not hard to see why this hike has become popular.
ALISHAN GIANT TREE BOARDWALK TRAILS (阿里山巨木群棧道)
If you're planning a trip to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area and only have time to do one walk, make sure it is this one.
FENQIHU CEDAR BOARDWALK TRAIL (奮起湖杉林步道)
This short and pretty loop in the hills near Fenqihu will get you away from the crowds of the historic railway town and onto quiet and beautiful forest trails.
FENQI TRAIL (奮起步道)
This short and well-kept walk skirts around the historic town of Fenqihu in Chiayi's Zhuqi Township. Along the way, you can enjoy majestic bamboo forests and hear the melodic sounds of so much bird life.
YUN-CHIA FIVE PEAK TRAIL (雲嘉五連峰)
This exceptionally scenic trail straddles the border of Yunlin and Chiayi counties, and takes walkers on a breathtaking trek through tea plantations and coffee farms.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 