The four weeks spanning the end of April and the start of May is peak season for fireflies in northern Taiwan. What's more, this time of year also happens to be tung blossom season, and this easy trail in New Taipei's Pinglin District gives you the opportunity to experience both in one go.
NEW TAIPEI CITY EASY HIKE
LINSHAN CAPE COASTAL TRAIL (麟山鼻海岸步道)
Expect coastal scenery and easy walking on this short loop in New Taipei’s Sanzhi District.
SAVAGE VALLEY (野人谷)
This loop walk in New Taipei's pretty Pingxi District takes you through an abandoned pleasure park, past a couple of waterfalls, and past the odd landscape of Dahua's potholes.
MANYUEYUAN WATERFALLS (滿月圓國家森林遊樂區)
One of two National Forest Recreation areas within the Greater Taipei area, Manyueyuan and its waterfalls is a popular spot for city folk seeking respite from Taipei’s hot summers. The park has abundant greenery, two or three waterfalls, and a handful of easy trails to explore.
FULONGSHAN TRAIL and GUANYINSHAN TREETOP WALKWAY (福隆山/觀音山林梢步道)
This trail in New Taipei's Wugu District is absolutely choc full of cultural interest. It follows a walkway dotted with pretty historic temples before segueing into a wander among the treetops. It's a perfect little off-the-beaten-track adventure that requires no preparation.
YUANTONG TEMPLE TRAIL (圓通寺步道)
Yuantong Temple is an (almost) century-old religious establishment built into the hillside of New Taipei's Zhonghe District. The ridgeline behind it is crisscrossed with a network of trails where you can find all kinds of small shrines, statues and other interesting sights.
JINGUASHI to BENSHAN GEOLOGICAL PARK LOOP (金瓜石/本山地質公園O型)
The area around Jiufen and Jinguashi is absolutely riddled with hiking trails — many of which can be found on this site. This latest addition to the collection details an easy-to-moderate walk that takes in some sites of historical and geological interest.
GUANYIN MOUNTAIN (觀音山)
Guanyin Mountain rises from the banks of Tamsui River in New Taipei’s Bali and Wugu Districts. Its nickname is tough guy peak on account of the fact that climbing it was previously used as an entoughenmemt activity for military police officers, and for those unacquainted with Taiwan’s steep, steep steps, it’s clear to see why.
DAGUI WATERFALL RIVER TRACE (大鬼瀑布溯溪)
With Taiwan's summers dragging on for a seemingly infinite length of time, there's nothing more appealing than immersing yourself in the nearest body of water and this easy river trace in New Taipei's Ruifang District is a top spot to stop off on a hot day.
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?
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.
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.
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.
MOUNT JIANGZILIAO (姜子寮山)
Hikers who visit this short trail in New Taipei's Xizhi District will be rewarded with panoramic views for minimal effort.