This short trail in an overlooked corner of Keelung City will take you back in time to 1884 - when French and Qing soldiers fought for control of Taiwan.
easy hikes in Taiwan
TEA MOUNTAIN TRAIL (茶山步道)
Tea Mountain Trail sits just little north of Jinshan on Taiwan's northern coast. This easy walk does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a mountain, and there's tea growing on it. It's perhaps not the most thrilling walk out there, but it's a pleasant walk in a part of Taiwan that I haven't spent nearly enough time in.
FAIRY SHRIMP at XIANGTIAN POOL (向天池的仙女蝦)
Xiangtian Pool is an ephemeral body of water in an old volcanic crater on the northwestern edge of Yangmingshan National Park. It can be seen after periods of heavy rain, and only then for a brief time. As if this didn't make the pool intriguing enough, it is also home to a population of fairy shrimp which spawn in great numbers when the conditions are just right.
DASHEHU TRAIL (大舌湖健行步道)
This short and easy trail in New Taipei's Pinglin District is a good choice for a lazy summer afternoon. It meanders along a river, through rows of tea, and takes you down to a pretty suspension bridge.
A WANDER IN KENTING NATIONAL FOREST RECREATION AREA (墾丁國家森林旅樂區)
Whether your interest lies in rocks, plants, creatures or culture, Kenting National Forest Recreation Area is well worth a visit. Amongst the towering limestone cliffs and subterranean caves you can spot a whole host of cute critters and an impressive array of tropical plant life.
LINGJIAO and WANGGU WATERFALLS (嶺腳瀑布/望古瀑布)
The Lingjiao to Wanggu Trail packs an awful lot into its short length. You get not one, but two waterfalls, a dash of history and a trail that’s both pretty and gentle. It’s also short enough that you can combine it with a visit to some of the other sights and trails along the Pingxi Line.
SCISSORS ROCK NIGHT HIKE (剪刀石夜爬)
Scissors Rock is up there with Elephant Mountain in terms of its popularity among the easily accessible trails of Taipei. But unlike it's Xinyi District counterpart, this trail in Neihu falls quiet as soon as night settles on the city. Travellers willing to brave the dark will be treated to peaceful city views and maybe even a flying squirrel (or two, or five)
FUSHIPING HISTORIC TRAIL (富士平古道)
Fushiping Historic Trail offers hikers the opportunity to explore the quieter side of Yangmingshan National Park.
BATTLESHIP ROCK NIGHT HIKE (軍艦岩夜景)
Close to the city, Battleship Rock Trail is an ever popular walk, and on weekends in particular you are likely to find it pretty crowded. But for those who are feeling brave it offers an easy after dark hike and a stupendous night view of Taipei.
ALISHAN SISTERS PONDS LOOP (阿里山：姐妹池O型)
Alishan has been a popular destination with tourists for decades, the lure of the mountain air and beautiful forest scenery drawing in the crowds. These days visitors still flock to the park to enjoy the forest, the sunrise and the picturesque little red trains that ply the narrow-gauge tracks through the trees. This trail will take you on a short and easy wander around some of the sights.
TUCHENG TUNG BLOSSOM TRAIL (土城油桐花步道)
Every April and May the mountains around Taipei are cloaked with the white blossom of the tung tree. Getting out to observe this May 'snowfall' is a popular activity amongst the locals, and this trail in Tucheng is one of many places you can go to join in.
TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: WANTAN HISTORIC TRAIL and BEISHI RIVER TRAIL (淡蘭古道：灣潭古道/三水潭/北勢溪古道)
The walk along Wantan Historic Trail and Beishi River Trail is soul-comforting waterside wander between villages in New Taipei's sorely overlooked Shuangxi District. Bring a picnic and get ready to soak in some gently spectacular scenery.
TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: WUTUKU to PINGLIN (淡蘭古道：烏塗窟/坪林)
The stretch of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails that tracks over the hills between Shiding and Pinglin Districts takes you past relics of the coal industry into the heart of New Taipei City’s tea growing region.
TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: SHIFEN to NUANNUAN (淡蘭古道中路：十分/暖東峽谷/暖暖)
Taking the old mining town of Shifen as its starting point this section of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails takes you up towards Mount Wufen before plunging down into shady valleys on its way to Nuannuan. There are some lovely scenes to enjoy along the way including a bright red trailside temple and a spectacular ravine.
TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: WANHUA to FUYANG ECO PARK (淡蘭古道：萬華/富陽自然生態公園)
The southern stretch of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails starts from the historic centre of Wanhua and heads through urban parks and market streets on its way to the edge of the city.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 