For those who live in Taiwan's capital, Taipei's tallest peak deserves more than a single visit, and this challenge is just the ticket. The Qixing Mountain Three-Way links the mountain's three separate approach trails into a single punishing route, sending you up and over the summit again and again. Superb scenery, sulphuric fumaroles, and the very real possibility of a bamboo partridge stealing your snacks await.
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FENQIHU’S MOUNT DADONG (奮起湖大凍山)
Most visitors to Fenqihu come for the old street and the lunchboxes. This pleasant trail climbing to one of Chiayi's lesser-visited Taiwan 100 Minor Peaks is a short scooter ride out of town, and rewards those who venture a little further with bamboo groves, fine forest, monkey sightings, and a summit view from nearly 2,000 metres up.
CI LAKE BIRDWATCHING TRAIL (慈湖鸛鳥步道)
This easy loop around a former estuary on Kinmen's northwestern coast is a paradise for bird spotters, and if you visit after a dry spell, you might catch the Instagram-famous pink pools, a natural phenomenon created by algae-rich fishponds.
GOLDEN WATERFALL and LIUKENG SLOPE ROPEWAY (黃金瀑布/六坑斜坡索道)
This particular mini adventure in New Taipei’s Ruifang District is a brief but enjoyable walk connecting two of the area’s popular sight-seeing spots: the Golden Waterfall and Shibaoshan Lookout. If you’re feeling energetic, you could use it as a warm-up for climbing Teapot Mountain, or if — like me — your in more of a leisurely mood, you can end the walk with a pleasant sit down in one of Jinguashi’s coffee shops.
FIREFLIES and TUNG BLOSSOM in PINGLIN RIVERSIDE PARK
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.
PENGLAI FISH WATCHING TRAIL (蓬萊溪護魚步道)
This quiet and pretty trail in Miaoli’s Nanzhuang’s Township follows close to a burbling stream populated with abundant shoals of fish, and — if you’re lucky — you might spot muntjacs and monkeys among the lush green foliage.
MOUNT HUOYAN RIDGE HISTORIC TRAIL (火炎山越嶺古道)
A short trail in New Taipei's coastal Gongliao District that greatly benefits from having a beach and a coffee shop at the end.
ANPINGZHEN CYCLE PATH (安平鎮庄自行車步道)
This short walking or biking route sees you following the waterways of Taoyuan's Pingzhen District. The scenery is gently rural — the perfect kind of low-energy, no-planning-required wander.
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.
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.
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.
QINZI PEAK TRAIL (親子峰步道)
This easy walk in Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area takes you through some lovely forest scenery, and the location is perfect for indulging in a spot of bird or wildlife watching.
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.
Taiwan Trails and Tales 