A trip to the mountains : 6 Wondrous Taiwan Hiking Trails

Over 70 percent of Taiwan is covered in mountains, from small-scale fells topped with lush forests, to great peaks where only experienced hikers should tread. Taiwan has a well-established network of hundreds of hiking trails, and the vast majority do not require a guide. High mountain routes and some protected trails, however, need a national park entry permit or a police mountain entry permit, so check the rules before you go.

Hiking tracks are rarely crowded, and visitors are more likely to meet rambling locals than other international visitors. The best part of hiking in Taiwan is that most of them are a day hike. Small mountains surrounding the city with astonishing views such as waterfalls, huge clumps of cherry blossoms, and thickly tangled jungle. Here are some recommendations for you to start your trail of adventure.

Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail

The most popular hiking trail in Taipei. It is an effortless climb and so easy to get to with plenty of spots to take a rest along the way. People climb Elephant mountain for the magnificent view over Taipei City with Taipei 101 tight in front of you. Usually, it is crowded during the afternoon just before sunset, filled with people who come to admire the power of magic hour sunlight over this wonderful city.

• How to get there: MRT Red line Xiangshan Station (R02)

Seven Star Mountain

Did you know there is a national park inside Taipei City? And what’s best is that you can hike here! Yangmingshan National Park is named after one of Chiang Kai-shek’s favorite philosophers. The highest summit in Yangmingshan is Qixing, which is also known as Seven Star Mountain or Cising Mountain. During your hike, you’ll be able to see volcanic steam vents, yellow sulfur crystals, plenty of silver grass and beautiful rolling mountain vistas.

• How to get there: Take bus R5 (Red 5) from MRT Jiantan Station to the Yangmingshan bus terminal, then the park shuttle bus 108 to Xiaoyoukeng trailhead (check the current bus routes before you go)

Caoling Historical Trail

The only remaining section of a route built during the Qing Dynasty, once serving as the sole land link between Tamsui and Yilan, the Caoling Trail is a 10km stretch beginning in Dali and ending at Fulong Beach. Cultural heritage such as Diesima Bridge, Xianji Rock and third-grade national treasure “Xiong Zhen Man Yan” writing and “tiger inscription” can also be seen along the hike. At the trail’s highest point, a sea of silver grass can be seen swinging in the winds in autumn time, as if they were ocean waves. The scenery along the trail is pleasant, making it a highly enjoyable hiking path with both natural and cultural charm.

• How to get there: From Fulong Train Station > walk along Provincial Highway > arrive at Formosa Plastics Gas Station > Turn left for Provincial Highway > Yuanwangkeng Entrance (Earth God Temple). Turn left again > Yuanwangkeng Water Park (the trail entrance).

Zhuilu Old Trail

Another reason to visit Taroko National Park. Zhuilu Old Road was originally built as a hunting path by the indigenous Truku tribespeople in the early 1800s. Zhuilu Old Trail allows you to experience the magnificence of Taroko National Park through bird's-eye views of Taroko Gorge. Ascend through the sub-tropical forests of Taroko, and be rewarded with stunning views of the marble canyon as you thread on a narrow path along the cliff’s edge.

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Important: the April 2024 Hualien earthquake and later typhoons caused heavy damage in Taroko Gorge. The Zhuilu Old Trail and the road and bus services through the gorge have been closed or only partly reopened during repairs. Before planning this hike, check the latest status on the Taroko National Park website. When the trail is open, a permit with a daily quota is required, applied for online in advance, and you should bring your permit and passport to the trailhead.

• How to get there: When services are running, Hualien buses toward Tianxiang stop at Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou), near the trailhead; check the current schedule first.

Alishan Mianyue Trail

Found inside the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area in southern Taiwan’s Chiayi County, the Mianyue Trail follows the abandoned Mianyue railway line that closed in 1999 due to earthquake damage. The trail leads you through forest, tunnels and along old railways lines for a very photogenic hike. The bridges are beautiful but a little dangerous. If you are afraid of heights then you may want to reconsider this hike. Parts of the trail have been closed in the past because of typhoon and landslide damage, so check with the Alishan Forest Recreation Area whether it is open before you go. Besides hiking in Alishan, another big draw is the fact that Alishan High Mountain Oolong Tea, the most famous tea in a country that produces some of the world’s best oolong teas, is grown around Alishan. 

• How to get there: Chiayi High-Speed Railway Station > Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus to Alishan, or the Alishan Forest Railway from Chiayi Station (running all the way to Alishan again since 2024) > get off at Alishan

Teapot Mountain

Located in north-east Taiwan in Ruifang District of New Taipei City, Jinguashi is a famous destination for many foreign visitors, attracted by the Gold Museum and the heritage sites of the old mining area. The whole area is covered with old structures, tunnels and buildings as reminders of its mining history. Teapot Mountain gets its name due to the peculiar shape that, when seen from the west, resembles a Chinese teapot. Inside Teapot Mountain, you will soon discover it consists of several huge boulders that form an interesting system of natural caves that are connected to each other.

• How to get there: Ruifang Station > Bus 788 (direction Jinguashih (Gold Ecological Park)) or 965 (direction Gua Shan Elementary School) > Stop at Jinguashih (Gold Ecological Park)

Taiwan, dubbed by Portuguese sailors "Ilha Formosa," or "Beautiful Island," is home to more than 200 mountain peaks above 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet). From walking through deep green pine forests filled with birdsong to watching the sunrise over a carpet of clouds, a trip to the mountains is one of the best ways to appreciate Taiwan's immense natural beauty and biodiversity. Whether you want to go for a multi-day expedition in the remote Central Mountain Range or wander through historic trails at a lower altitude, you’ll be blown away by what you’ll discover. If you have not hiked Taiwan’s mountains, you have not truly visited Taiwan. Want a local to show you the trails? Find a guide on MyProGuide.

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