This has definitely been one of my favourite hikes of the year. The walk starts with a reasonable climb through quiet and multi-layered forests to a peak that remained cool and breezy even in the summer heat. Then tracks down again to follow the playful Zhongkeng Stream as it spills and bounces it’s way through the valley. There are mountain views, grand waterfalls and even swimming holes to be enjoyed along the way. I will be adding this to my list of places to take visiting friends.
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BATTLESHIP ROCK TO XIN BEITOU (軍艦岩往新北投)
You can combine a visit to this photogenic rock outcrop with a not-too-difficult walk to a rather pretty Japanese shrine and end up right next to Beitou's famous sulphur valley.
WAI WA ZI SHAN TO HONGLUDI NANSHAN FUDE TEMPLE (外挖子山步道-烘爐地南山福德宮)
A ridge trail which skirts the southern edge of Taipei and takes in a couple of notable temples along the way.
FUYUAN ANCIENT BANYAN TRAIL (福源山步道)
A quiet and pretty hiking trail just outside of Taipei. Along the way you can enjoy quirks of nature like the thousand year banyan tree and a lily pond half way up a mountain (well, it's more of a big hill really).
ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN, THUMB MOUNTAIN AND 95 PEAK ON THE NANGANG TRAIL (南港山佈道: 象山 / 拇指山 / 九五峰)
Escape the hoards of tourists taking selfies at that most famous of Taipei's scenic views by exploring beyond elephant mountain. This easy route takes you higher to muzhi mountain and 95 peak, all the while offering great vantage points and lots of hidden shrines to discover.
XIAOCUKENG ANCIENT TRAIL TO SHIMEN HILL (小粗坑古道/石門山)
A moderate afternoon hike up an old cattle path with a minor peak at the top.
XIHU TO DA LUN WEI HILL (西湖往大崙尾山)
A pick-your-own-ending style ramble around the hills north of Neihu.
JIAOKENG HIKING TRAIL TO QINGTIANGANG (礁坑古道)
Forested ridges, wide open grasslands, cows - this short hike has lots to offer.
QIXING SHAN (七星山)
An exciting hike through the uplands of Yangmingshan National Park with the promise of a hotspring soak for your feet at the end.
CUEI LAKE AND NEIGOU SHAN TRAIL (翠湖/內溝山步道)
Fun scramble through a hidden valley just to the east of Taipei.
LINKOU TAIPING COASTAL TRAIL (林口太平沿海步道)
Simple lazy afternoon walk for when you want to get out but don't want to go too far.
XINLIAO WATERFALL TRAIL (新寮瀑布)
A super short amble to an impressive waterfall.
MOUNT WU FEN HIKING TRAIL (五分山)
A bit of a steps workout walk.