Taiwan Trails and Tales

a guide to get you out of the city and into the hills

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PINGLIN

FIREFLIES and TUNG BLOSSOM in PINGLIN RIVERSIDE PARK

April 11, 2026October 27, 2025 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

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.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: WUTUKU to PINGLIN (淡蘭古道:烏塗窟/坪林)

May 21, 2021November 16, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / Leave a comment

The stretch of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails that tracks over the hills between Shiding and Pinglin Districts takes you past relics of the coal industry into the heart of New Taipei City’s tea growing region.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: QINGYUN BRIDGE to JIAOXI (淡蘭古道南路:清雲橋/礁溪)

March 24, 2021November 16, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / 2 Comments

The most southeasterly section of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails hews close to Beiyi North Road as it winds its way over hill and stream into the hot spring town of Jiaoxi. Aside from the always popular Paoma Historic Trail, you can reasonably expect to have the path all to yourself for long stretches.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: PINGLIN to QINGYUN BRIDGE (淡蘭古道南路:坪林/清雲橋)

November 21, 2020November 16, 2024 / taiwantrailsandtales / 6 Comments

This section’s use of riverside cycle paths makes it a very accessible stretch of the southern Tamsui-Kavalan Trails. What’s more, this ease of walking doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beautiful views since the scenery around Pinglin has its own effortless prettiness.

Taiwan Trails and Tales Facebook

Taiwan Trails and Tales Facebook
We had no bananas to hand, so went with the tried and tested finger-for-scale approach. Patience and luck were required to get this photo. About 2 months ago, this was one of several holes I saw barbets making on the trail where I hike most often. All bar this one were swiftly abandoned. A month later, I heard chicks inside, and now finally I’ve caught sight of one resident. Some Moltrecht’s tree frogs being cute.

Note: Taiwan Trails and Tales has been going for over eight years now, so there are a fair few dead links and bits of information that need updating on the site. If you find one, I would greatly appreciate it if you let me know either by commenting on that post or by dropping me a line in the contact form (on the "About" page) so that I can remove or update it.

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