Taiwan Trails and Tales

BEIPU XIULUAN PARK (北埔秀巒公園)

This short walk on the edge of the historic Hakka town of Beipu has a good view of Mount Egongji and is a beautiful place to catch the sunset. The walk alone isn’t reason enough to visit Beipu by but, if combined with a wander around the town and stops to enjoy leicha, it can be part of a wonderful day trip.

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.

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.

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.

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.

HUANG JIE TRAIL (黃劫步道)

This short loop trail is located on the outskirts of Guanxi, a small Hakka town just on the Hsinchu side of the Hsinchu-Taoyuan border. Along the way, you can hope to spot tea fields, abandoned kilns and an interesting temple.

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.

QINGQUAN TRIBAL VILLAGE STROLL (清泉部落)

This short walk encircling Qingquan Tribal Village in Hsinchu’s Wufeng Township offers hot springs, historic figures, and a little peek into life in an Indigenous village.

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.

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.

XISHAN CANAL TRAIL and PINGJING HISTORIC TRAIL (溪山百年古圳/平菁古道)

Just up the road from Taipei’s National Palace Museum, Pingjing Historic Trail and Xishan Canal Trail offer walkers a pleasant and shady walk with the promise of coffee and cherry blossom at the top if you visit at the right time of year.

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.