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.
MODERATE HIKES IN TAIWAN
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.
MOUNTAINS to SEA GREENWAY DAY 3 (山海圳國家級綠道D3)
Day three on the MSTW sees you follow the Canal Trail further inland as you retrace the route taken by Hatta Yoichi and his team of engineers as they planned out how to transport water from Zengwen Reservoir to the dry plains below.
NANYA MOUNTAIN and FRONT TEETH ROCKS (南雅山/門牙岩)
This exciting trail on Taiwan's northeastern coast offers hikers sea views, fun climbs, and some interesting rock formations.
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.
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.
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.
YINGZAI PEAK and CHAOYIN CAVE TEMPLE (鷹仔尖/觀音山潮音洞)
This short but strenuous walk in New Taipei's Wugu District offers steep ascents, lots of temples, and (in the right season) cherry blossom and black kites.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL – DAY 14 (樟之細路D14)
Day 14 was the final day of hiking on the Raknus Selu Trail's main A route. We passed through many orchards and were rewarded with our first ever sighting of a pangolin.
JINMIAN SHAN SUNRISE HIKE (金門山日出)
Mount Jinmian — or more accurately, Scissors Rock —offers one of the best spots from which to catch the sunrise over Taipei and watch the city waking up.
CINSBU GIANT TREE GROVE (鎮西堡巨木B區)
Deep in the mountains of Hsinchu, there are several groves of giant trees. This one offers a rewarding day's foray into Taiwan's mountainous forests and is the perfect destination for an overnight weekend getaway from Taipei.
MOUNT LITOU & SANDUANQI HISTORIC TRAIL (犁頭山/三段崎古道)
The Hsinchu Townships of Xinpu and Qionglin are separated by a plough-shaped wedge of a hill rising from behind the century-and-a-half-old Lianhua Temple. This walk takes you along the crest of the hill before cutting down a historic trail to rejoin civilisation.
DONGMAN TRAIL (東滿步道)
Dongman Trail is a unique experience among Taiwan hiking trails in that it connects two of Taiwan's forest recreation areas: Dongyanshan and Manyueyuan. At around 16-17km, it is a relatively long day-hike, but walkers who venture onto this route are treated to picturesque and peaceful forest scenery.
NANPING HISTORIC TRAIL and MATAI HISTORIC TRAIL (南坪古道/馬胎古道)
This gentle and pleasant trail looping from Neiwan Old Street takes you up to the small tribal village of Matai via historic footpaths and past pretty fern-laced streams.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 