WATERY WALKS IN TAIWAN

There’s something particularly relaxing about a walk by a stream, and doubly so if you can have a quick dip. All of the walks featured here either follow a stream, or spend significant portions of their length alongside the water.

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.

SONGLUO NATIONAL TRAIL (松蘿國家步道)

Songluo Trail is a very scenic waterside hike in Yilan’s Datong District. Formerly a Tayal hunting route, it has now been fashioned into a family-friendly trail that is perfect for keeping the summer heat at bay.

NANPING HISTORIC TRAIL and MATAI HISTORIC TRAIL (南坪古道/馬胎古道)

This gentle and pleasant trail looping from Neiwan Old Street takes you up to the small tribal village of Matai via historic footpaths and past pretty fern-laced streams.

SHUANGXIGOU HISTORIC TRAIL (雙溪溝古道)

This short walk on the southeastern edge of Yangmingshan National Park is perfect for when you want something short, easy, and relaxing. The shady and often streamside loop also includes a stop at a coffee shop.

PINGLIN CUKENGKOU TRAIL and XIAKENGZIKOU STREAM (坪林粗坑口步道/下坑子口溪親水遊憩區)

A short and easy walk along a river close to Pinglin Street. This walk is great for summer days when you want gentle excursions with an option to dip your feet in the water.

ALABAO BAY GUIDED WALK (阿拉寶灣)

Only open for several months every year, Alabao Bay is a short stretch of coastline accessible from within Keelung’s Heping Island Park. The coastal trail offers interesting rock formations, views of Keelung Islet, and traces left behind by several waves of inhabitants.

LUJIAOKENG ECOLOGICAL PROTECTED AREA and FENGLIN WATERFALL TRAIL (鹿角坑生態保護區/楓林瀑布)

Tucked into the northern folds of Yangmingshan National Park, Lujiaokeng Ecological Protection Area and Fenglin Waterfall can only be accessed by those who have applied for a permit. Don’t let that put you off though, this pretty trail involves lots of stream crossings and the remoteness means you’re all but guaranteed a quiet walk.

SHUANGLIU WATERFALL TRAIL (雙流瀑布)

Shuangliu Waterfall Trail is one of several trails inside Shuangliu National Forest Recreation Area. It’s testament to the prettiness of the park that we had a great time despite never even making it as far as the waterfall itself. The trail is gentle, easy and has a couple of stepping stone trails that are great fun.

JINGYING WATERFALL and HOT SPRING (精英瀑布/精英溫泉)

This hard-to-reach spot in the middle of Nantou County offers two for the price of one. Here you’ll find both Jingying Waterfall and Jingying hot springs.

TIANMU WATER PIPE TRAIL and BANLING CANAL via MOUNT SHAMAO (天母水管路/紗帽山/半嶺古圳)

The trails in Tianmu are some of the better-known trails in the foothills of Yangmingshan National Park Despite this, there are always places you’ve never been, and even revisiting familiar paths will show you a new side to the place.

SHUISHANG WATERFALL and SESHUI FOREST TRAIL (水上瀑布/澀水森林步道)

Nantou’s Yuchi District is best known for being the home of Sun Moon Lake, but that’s far from the only beauty spot it boasts. This short and easy trail might not feature in the guidebooks, but it should do. Peaceful and pretty–the perfect place to pass an afternoon.

XILONG TRAIL and MA’AN OLD CANAL (溪瀧步道/馬岸古圳)

This short walk in Wulai District packs an unreasonable amount of prettiness into its 2km length. Bring a picnic and enjoy a lazy afternoon by the riverside.

NUANDONG VALLEY LOOP (暖東峽谷O型)

This short and sweet loop in Keelung’s overlooked Nuannuan District makes a great half day exploration. The trail tracks through quiet woodland and boasts beautiful views of water-sculpted rocks, as well as a couple of stream crossings and a photogenic land god temple thrown in for good measure.

DASHEHU TRAIL (大舌湖健行步道)

This short and easy trail in New Taipei’s Pinglin District is a good choice for a lazy summer afternoon. It meanders along a river, through rows of tea, and takes you down to a pretty suspension bridge.

LINGJIAO and WANGGU WATERFALLS (嶺腳瀑布/望古瀑布)

The Lingjiao to Wanggu Trail packs an awful lot into its short length. You get not one, but two waterfalls, a dash of history and a trail that’s both pretty and gentle. It’s also short enough that you can combine it with a visit to some of the other sights and trails along the Pingxi Line.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: WANTAN HISTORIC TRAIL and BEISHI RIVER TRAIL (淡蘭古道：灣潭古道/三水潭/北勢溪古道)

The walk along Wantan Historic Trail and Beishi River Trail is soul-comforting waterside wander between villages in New Taipei’s sorely overlooked Shuangxi District. Bring a picnic and get ready to soak in some gently spectacular scenery.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: SHIFEN to NUANNUAN (淡蘭古道中路：十分/暖東峽谷/暖暖)

Taking the old mining town of Shifen as its starting point this section of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails takes you up towards Mount Wufen before plunging down into shady valleys on its way to Nuannuan. There are some lovely scenes to enjoy along the way including a bright red trailside temple and a spectacular ravine.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: BEISHI RIVER and ZHONGKENG HISTORIC TRAIL LOOP (淡蘭古道中路：崩山坑古道/北勢溪古道/闊瀨古道/放山坑古道/中坑步道O型)

The icing on the cake of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails, this route comprised of five stitched together historic trails shows you some of the most beautiful scenery you can find in northern Taiwan.

TAMSUI-KAVALAN TRAILS: SHENKENG to WUTUKU (淡蘭古道南路：深坑/石碇/烏塗窟)

The first stretch of road leading out of Shenkeng isn’t much to write home about, but the rest of the journey soon makes up for it. The sound of water accompanies you for most of the way, as the trail sticks close to first Jingmei Stream, then Wutuku Stream, going against the flow as you head away from Taipei.

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

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.