This looped route takes you deep into the forests of Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area. Tread quietly, and you might even be rewarded with a sighting of a Formosan serow.
MODERATE HIKES IN TAIWAN
MOUNT DONGYAN (東眼山)
This beautiful trail in Taoyuan's Fuxing District takes you up to the summit of Mount Dongyan via some incredibly pretty forest footpaths.
RAKNUS SELU TRAIL DAY 2 (樟之細路D2)
Day two on the Raknus Selu Trail is the first time that the route takes you off the roads and gets you walking on some of the old trails that crisscross the area's hills.
MOUNT NAJIE (那結山)
The trail to Mount Najie offers some fun scrambling up through the tall forests of Taoyuan's Fuxing District. If you're looking for somewhere to escape the crowds, then this is the peak for you.
MOUNT DULAN (都蘭山)
For travellers to Taitung, climbing Mount Dulan - or Dugus A Du Lan in the language of the local Amis people - would make a wonderful day trip. The 1,190m peak sits close to the coast in Donghe Township, and on clear days visitors can enjoy views both of the Pacific Ocean, and the East Rift Valley.
SANYUAN RIDGE TRAIL (三員縱走)
Miaoli tends to get overlooked by visitors to Taiwan, but the area has a wealth of wonderful hiking trails for anyone who strays off the beaten path and goes in search of somewhere quiet. Sanyuan Trail is a good example of the kind of unexpected gem that you can enjoy if you visit this part of the world. It's a straightforward ridge hike with views, fun climbs, and a cute little town at either end.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 10B
This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail packs a lot of interesting spots into its not-quite-14km length. There are not one, but two Xiao Bai Yue, and one of Taipei's most impressive land god temples.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 10A
Leading from Sanxia District and on towards Tucheng, this section of the Taipei Skyline Trail was an unexpected pleasure. Gently taxing and quiet ridge line trails offer a wonderful escape from the city.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 9B
Much of the Taipei Skyline Trail stitches together popular routes on the edge of the city. Not so this section, which looks like it doesn't get many visitors.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 9A
This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail is unique in that it is almost a loop. It covers conjoined ridges that form a horseshoe-esque shape stretching from Sanxia, out towards Daxi, and then back to Sanxia again.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 7A
Section 7A of the Taipei Skyline Trail sees you scaling Mount Guanyin the hard way, before leading you along a quieter stretch of path to the place where Taiwan's Robin Hood (allegedly) met his end.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 6B
This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail offers grand views over Yangmingshan Park's western hills, as it takes walkers over the steep (and often) muddy peaks of the Mount Datun range.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 6A
Most of the Taipei Skyline Trail's sixth instalment covers trails within Taipei National Park. This first half takes you along the same route as the Taipei Grand Hike, and also happens to be one of the prettiest easily-accessed walks in the park.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 5B
The fifth section of the Taipei Skyline Trail sees you leaving Yangmingshan Park behind and entering Keelung. This section covers a long (muddy) ridge walk between Fengguizi and the very edge of Keelung City.
TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 5A
This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail takes you close to the coast as you explore some of the sights of Keelung.