Ambuping Hiking Trail is a short loop in the lower elevation part of Taichung's Heping District. The trail encircles the Tayal tribal village of Shuangqi and takes in one peak, a section of ridgeline, and the remains of an old irrigation canal.
easy hikes in Taiwan
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.
NEIDONG FOREST RECREATION AREA TRAILS (內洞森林遊樂區步道)
Situated on the banks of Nanshi Creek and far away from the busy city, Neidong National Forest Recreation Area is a peaceful and pretty natural haven. The park has a total of three trails — the Scenic Trail, the Forest Bathing Trail and the Waterfall Trail — which can be woven together into a single loop, allowing you to see all that the park has to offer.
KEELUNG MOUNTAIN NIGHT HIKE (基隆山夜爬)
Keelung Mountain offers great views at either end of the day, and who doesn’t want to see the sight of Jiufen snuggled into the hills as it beds down for the day?
TIGER MOUNTAIN (虎山)
Tiger Mountain is one of the four beasts that guard the south of Taipei's Xinyi District and although steep, the climb can be knocked out in under two hours, with plenty of time left for exploring the eateries and shopping opportunities that Xinyi has to offer.
FUSHAN BOTANICAL GARDEN (福山植物園)
Fushan Botanical Garden sits so deep within the hills of Yilan that it's actually in New Taipei's Wulai District.
ERYANPING TEA TRAIL (二延平步道)
This beautiful trail in the hills of Chiayi's Fanlu Township has been voted one of the top 100 trails in Taiwan and it's not hard to see why. Wisps of mist weave through bamboo and a sea of clouds laps at tea-covered slopes — it is a quintessentially Taiwan trail.
SONGLUO NATIONAL TRAIL (松蘿國家步道)
Songluo Trail is a very scenic waterside hike in Yilan's Datong District. Formerly a Tayal hunting route, it has now been fashioned into a family-friendly trail that is perfect for keeping the summer heat at bay.
DAJIAN MOUNTAIN NIGHT HIKE (大尖山夜爬)
This short hike in New Taipei’s Xizhi District combines a Xiao Bai Yue with pretty night views. It’s small, too, so it’s a perfect post-dinner or pre-supper walk for anyone planning to grab some grub at Xizhi’s Tourist Night Market.
99 PEAKS FOREST TRAIL (九九峰森林步道)
The Ninety-Nine Peak Trail in Nantou is a short hike that can be completed within a couple of hours. It has been voted as one of the six best trails in Nantou and takes hikers through some geographically interesting terrain.
MOUNT HONGDAN (紅淡山)
This trail makes for a serviceable half-day trip from Taipei with interesting temples, one of Taiwan’s 100 Minor Peaks, views, and the promise of dinner from one of Keelung’s many eateries.
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.
LIGHTHOUSES, BAIMIWENG FORT and XIANDONG ZUISHENG CAVE TEMPLE (基隆走走：基隆燈塔/球子山燈塔/白米甕砲臺/仙洞巖最勝寺)
This trail in Keelung's Zhongshan District isn't the prettiest walk I've ever done, but it certainly packs in a lot of interesting spots into its short length. There are two lighthouses, port views, a fort, and a subterranean temple.
ZHONGLOU HISTORIC TRAIL (鐘樓古道)
This short wander through bamboo forest offers a pleasant way to stretch your legs as part of a visit to the small town of Xindian in Miaoli's Shitan Township.
BAT HILL (蝙蝠山)
The hike to Bat Hill Lookout from Shuangxi is a short and (mostly) easy walk that can be combined with an exploration of this historic riverside town in New Taipei.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 