TOP TOURIST HIKES IN TAIWAN

For visitors passing through Taiwan it can sometimes be a little bit hard to pick which trails to spend your limited time on. There are many lists with titles like “the best hiking trails in Taiwan” or “Taiwan’s must see walks” and it can feel like there is an overwhelming amount of choice, then once you’ve picked your destination figuring out the logistics can sometimes be challenging. Keeping these two considerations, the trails here have all been picked either because they are already popular amongst tourists, or because I am certain that you’ll leave feeling you had a unique experience, and I’ve tried to only include walks that can be accessed easily by public transport even if you’re not familiar with Taiwan and the languages spoken here.

美崙山

這座形狀像地瓜的小山，海拔109公尺，高踞花蓮市之上，山間步道平緩交錯，沿途散布著休息點與昔日的軍事碉堡遺跡。這是一趟輕鬆愜意的漫步，沿途擁有多處絕佳眺望點，天氣晴朗時，早起的人還能欣賞到太陽從海面升起的美景。

MOUNT MEILUN (美崙山)

Rising 109 metres above Hualien City, this sweet-potato-shaped hill is criss-crossed with gentle trails and littered with rest areas and historic military bunkers. It’s an easy and pleasant wander with plenty of vantage points, and in clear weather, early risers can catch the sunrise over the ocean.

壽山木棧道

這條木棧道蜿蜒穿越高雄壽山的珊瑚礁石灰岩地形，沿途悠閒自在的猴群，以及山丘過去作為軍事用地與水泥採石場的痕跡，都為健行增添了不少樂趣。稜線上多座涼亭提供免費茶水，還能眺望台灣海峽的壯闊景色。

SHOUSHAN BOARDWALK TRAIL (壽山木棧道)

This boardwalk trail winds through Kaohsiung’s coral-limestone Mount Shou, where relaxed troupes of monkeys and traces of the hill’s military and cement-quarrying past keep things interesting. Multiple pavilions along the ridge offer free tea and sweeping views over the Taiwan Strait.

MOUNT BAIMAO (白毛山)

Mount Baimao is a mostly forested walk that saves its best for last with a dramatically exposed rocky ridge near the summit and sweeping views up Dajia River toward the hot spring town of Guguan.

XIAOWULAI (小烏來)

Towering waterfalls, precarious suspension bridges, hot spring baths, bamboo forests, plentiful bird life, and an Indigenous village — this varied trail in Taoyuan’s Fuxing District has a lot to offer.

KEELUNG GUANYIN STATUE and LONGTOU HILL (基隆大觀音像/龍頭山)

This short and easy wander takes you up into hills and alleyways above Keelung Port.

GUANXI (關西)

Guanxi is one of several sleepy Hakka towns dotted along the border of Taoyuan and Hsinchu. It’s a wonderful place for a gentle day of exploring history, culture, coffee shops, and traditional culinary delights.

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.

MOUNT DULI (獨立山)

Mount Duli National Trail takes hikers up from Zhangnaoliao Station to Dulishan Station, crossing paths with Alishan Forestry Railway at several points, with a possible detour to a huge hikers’ kitchen in a temple.

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?

SANXIANTAI (三仙台)

Sanxiantai is a former isthmus — now islet — located on Taiwan’s southeast coast, just north of Changbin. People are drawn here to admire the arresting sight of the eight-arched bridge that connects the coast to the islet, and most never go much further than the mainland-side end of the bridge. However, if you push on a little further, the islet has much to explore, including sea caves, snakes, and fossilised corals.

MIANYUE LINE (眠月線)

The Mianyue Line hike has to be one of the most photographed hikes in Taiwan. Kilometre after kilometre of trestle bridges, mossy tracks, and abandoned tunnels stretch out through beautiful old forests, high up in the clear air of Chiayi. It is not hard to see why this hike has become popular.

JINMIAN SHAN SUNRISE HIKE (金面山日出)

Mount Jinmian — or more accurately, Scissors Rock —offers one of the best spots from which to catch the sunrise over Taipei and watch the city waking up.

BITOUJIAO TRAIL (鼻頭角步道)

Bitoujiao Trail is a pleasant and easy 3-kilometre loop offering lovely coastal views. The shortness and ease, combined with options for food and water replenishment, and public transport accessibility make it an excellent choice for anyone wanting a quick escape.

ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN (象山)

Hiking Elephant Mountain (or Xiang Shan), is one of the ultimate Taipei travel experiences and while there are many possible routes, this specific one has been voted to be one of the 100 best hiking trails in Taiwan.

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.