An Adventurer’s Paradise

Taiwan is one of those destinations with something new up its sleeve every time you go. Most people tend to head to the island’s capital, Taipei, for world-class shopping and the buzz of a busy city life. But more and more people are realising that Taiwan has plenty of other elements to it, from beautiful beaches and lush rainforest to delicious cuisine. Read on and discover why on top of all of this, Taiwan is also the ideal hiking destination.

Taiwan is home to Northeast Asia’s tallest summit, and with more than 240 peaks soaring over 3,000 metres it is a hiker’s paradise. Bamboo forests, subtropical jungles, coastal bluffs, alpine meadows and more meander across an island riddled with history, spirituality and a diverse population. What more could a hiker dream of?

Central Taiwan contains some of the islands most beautiful hiking areas, including mountainous ranges and lush tropical and subtropical forest. Yushan or Jade Mountain is a fantastic area to explore . The summit of Jade Mountain towers 3,952m in altitude, presenting a significant challenge to adventurous travellers.

Other options at the heart of the island are Mount Cilai with its sharp, steep craggy points making a challenging yet rewarding overnight expedition, or the shorter and easier high altitude walks in the Hehuanshan Forest Recreation Area at the base of Mount Hehuan. Guided tours can be arranged and accommodation options range from camping to comfortable mountain cottages.

For breathtaking views, explore the tea plantations at Mount Maolan or trudge up Mount Shuishe overlooking the beautiful Sun Moon Lake. A popular area with Taiwanese hikers is the Alishan National Scenic Area, a mountain resort and natural preserve located amongst the mountains of Chiayi County. The Alishan area covers 415 square kilometres that encompass tea plantations, mountain wilderness, four villages, waterfalls and high altitude tea plantations.

With several fantastic hiking options, the Alishan area has become one of Taiwan’s top ten travel destinations and a major landmark of the island, often associated with tea and wasabi. One of the most breathtaking experiences is the view of the sun rising over a sea of clouds that can be witnessed on a suitable morning between Alishan and Yushan.

A popular hiking spot in Southern Taiwan is the Maolin Recreation Area with hikes to three of the island’s most beautiful waterfalls. This area is rich in cultural history and home to the island’s Rukai indigenous group. Another option is the moderate hike up Mount Guanshan, a 2668 metre climb with dramatic views and fantastic camping options.

If you are more interested in a coastal hike, head to the island’s east coast and the Taroko Gorge will take your breath away. This is one of Taiwan’s top scenic attractions so can get a little busy, but head there mid week and the area will be less crowded. Here you can hike through geological wonders including marble canyons and ancient hunting trails.

If your holiday to Taiwan is a brief one you may want to consider something a bit closer to Taipei city. Yangmingshan National Park is your best bet in this case, being the closest destination to Taipei in Northern Taiwan. The park is famous for its breathtaking views of sunset.

Hiking tours can be arranged from tour operators in Taipei, with many variations in terms of level of difficulty, type of scenery, length of hike and different accommodation options.