Tefuye Historic Trail has been reinvented several times over the years. It started off as a hunting and trading route for the Tsou aboriginals who live in the region. Later, the Japanese turned it into a logging railway, and now it has a third life as a much-loved hiking trail.
easy hikes in Taiwan
LIJIA ROMANTIC CAVE TRAIL (里佳風流洞步道)
The small village of Lijia—known as Niae’ucna to its 300-odd Tsou inhabitants—sits deep in the hills of Chiayi County. The Romantic Cave Trail takes you on a brief wander past a couple of spots that hold spiritual or cultural significance to the tribesfolk, and as such, it is a great way to simultaneously enjoy nature and learn more about the village.
MOUNT XIZHOU (溪洲山)
Climbing Taoyuan's Mount Xizhou—one of Taiwan's 100 Minor Peaks—is a pleasant half-day adventure on the northern edge of Shimen Reservoir. The shady trail winds up through a series of forest clearings and is a popular exercise spot for local retirees.
LULIN MOUNTAIN and LINZHI MOUNTAIN (鹿林山/林趾山)
This scenic and permit-free walk offers hikers the chance to enjoy the beauty of Yushan National Park without having to plan the trip months in advance.
XUESHAN SACRED TREE TRAIL (雪山神木)
Xueshan sacred tree is a giant tree is a century-old giant Formosan cypress that sits deep within Daxueshan National Park. It stands in a small clearing, accessible via a 1.5-kilometre stroll down an old track, and — thanks to the fact that there used to be a carpark down here — you can stand back and take in the whole tree.
MUMA HISTORIC TRAIL (木馬古道)
Muma Historic Trail is one of several hiking trails located within the bounds of Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area. Being neither the longest, nor the shortest, not the easiest, nor the toughest walk in the park it presents a pleasant, middle-of-the-pack hike for anyone hoping to explore the area.
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.
SANXIANTAI (三仙台)
Sanxiantai is a former isthmus — now islet — located on Taiwan's southeast coast, just north of Changbin. People are drawn here to admire the arresting sight of the eight-arched bridge that connects the coast to the islet, and most never go much further than the mainland-side end of the bridge. However, if you push on a little further, the islet has much to explore, including sea caves, snakes, and fossilised corals.
XIAOXUESHAN HEAVENLY POND TRAIL (小雪山天池)
Xiaoxueshan’s Heavenly Pond is a beautiful alpine pool sitting at an elevation of over 2,000 metres within Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area. It’s accessible via a very easy, mostly flat trail from Xiaoxueshan Visitor Information Station.
CHERRY BLOSSOM in LOHAS PARK (樂活公園櫻花季)
Every sakura season, the otherwise non-descript Lohas Park becomes a crowded riot of colour as the full blooms of cherry trees attract hoards of sightseers and photographers. More blossom and some easy walking can be found along the banks of Neigou Creek, which straddles the boundary between Taipei and New Taipei.
YAKOU LOOKOUT TRAIL (埡口觀景台步道)
If you’re heading to Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area and want to do a walk with views, this short hike to a panoramic lookout platform is undoubtedly the walk for you.
CHERRY BLOSSOM at CAOPINGTOU (草坪頭櫻花季)
Caopingtou Yushan Tourist Tea Garden is one of Taiwan's premier cherry blossom viewing spots. Each year, thousands of trees paint the slopes in beautiful shades of pink, drawing in blossom lovers from far and wide.
TAIXINGYAN TRAIL (太興岩步道)
This short walk in Chiayi's Meishan Township offers pretty mountain scenery and a gentle way to stretch your legs on the drive up to Ruitan or Fenqihu.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 13 (樟之細路D13)
Day 13 on the Raknus Selu Trail is a gentle day spent following mostly rural roads between the Hakka town of Zhuolan and the Tayal village of Shuangqi.
XIAQIGU WILD HOTSPRING (下七股野溪溫泉)
This very short walk in Yangmingshan National Park's northern reaches offers you the chance to soak in a milky-watered hot spring pool while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 