Hike up the mountain and then hop on a yacht ride—New Taipei’s top picks for refreshing trails & a budget-friendly one-day adventure

▲ A white waterfall cascading down the rock face, complemented by emerald green pool water, resembles a landscape painting (Photo provided by a netizen)viajar_ijlPlease do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

By the Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

This year’s New Taipei Mountain Hiking Festival continues its theme of “Mountain Connection & Light Travel,” featuring a one-day event themed “A Cool Summer.” It showcases “Eight Refreshing Trails,” categorized into three themes: “Stream Trails,” “Waterfall Trails,” and “Forest Trails.” These combine guided trail tours and special local meals to offer small-group adventures that blend natural ecology with cultural charm. Immerse yourself in the unique features of the area, adding more fun to your hiking experience.

The Stream Trail Package includes:
“The Tea Gold Route – Kuokailu Ancient Trail in Pinglin District & Beishixi Ancient Trail in Shuangxi District”
The itinerary follows the winding and beautiful Beishixi River. The full journey is about 8 kilometers, with shaded tree cover throughout. In summer, walking along the green path by the stream, accompanied by a gentle breeze and the sound of flowing water, feels especially cool and refreshing. Lunch features a specially arranged homemade bento from Jingu No. 3, using vegetables grown by local farmers in Pinglin. The menu varies with the seasons and incorporates tea leaves into the dishes, giving the bento a strong Pinglin flavor.

▲ A homemade bento rich in local character. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government, all following photos are the same)

“Back to the Jurassic – Fern Trail in Jinkualiao, Pinglin District”
The fern trail built along Jinkualiao Creek is home to 108 species of ferns, giving you the feeling of stepping into the Jurassic era. The trail is flat and easy to walk, suitable for all ages. On a hot summer day, a green-shaded path accompanied by a stream is the coolest and most comfortable choice. Besides enjoying the beauty of the mountains, streams, and forests, the itinerary also includes a visit to a hidden gem in Pinglin—Oxygen Valley Garden Restaurant—to enjoy a chicken leg meal marinated with Pinglin Baozhong tea. The aroma of tea wafts from the dish as soon as it’s served, offering you a unique tea town experience.

▲ Feel the coolness brought by the stream while walking the trail.

“Where Mountain Meets Sea – Wuzhishan Ancient Trail in Xizhi District”
The itinerary includes a hike along the Wuzhishan Ancient Trail, ascending gently along the Beigang River. The route is lined with bamboo forest shade and cool streams, making it an excellent choice for summer hiking. Additionally, it combines a Lamigo yacht ride to enjoy a sea tour and admire the beauty of “Jinshan Candlestick Twin Islets” from a different perspective. You’ll also be treated to a fisherman’s meal (rice noodle soup), completing a full experience of both mountain and sea adventures.

▲ A peaceful hike through the mountains.

The Waterfall Trail Package includes:
“Discover the Water Curtain Fairy Cave – Yinhe Cave Trail in Xindian District”
The itinerary explores the secret spot of Xindian, the “Yinhe Waterfall,” along the Yinhe Cave Trail. You’ll also hear the legendary story of anti-Japanese hero Chen Qiuju outwitting the Japanese army, making this ancient mountain path rich in both natural beauty and cultural history. Paired with a signature dish of tea-infused oil chicken made with free-range chicken and self-grown vegetables from Yue Ling Leisure Farm, it’s healthy, nourishing, and delicious.

▲ The uniquely scenic Yinhe Waterfall.

“A Forgotten Hidden Gem – Wangguling Foot Liao Mountain Trail in Pingxi District”
The Liao Mountain Trail connects two of the quietest towns along the Pingxi Railway: Wanggu and Liaofoot. Along the trail, you can admire the beauty of Wanggu Waterfall and visit the Cai Family Western-style House to appreciate the rustic charm of old architecture. The itinerary also includes a trip to the Shifen Waterfall Scenic Area and a meal at the nearby Huashen Coffee Private Kitchen, where you can enjoy a comforting chicken soup made with fresh ingredients.

▲ Wanggu Waterfall, perfect for splashing around in.

The Forest Trail Package includes:
“Relive the Glory of a Century-Old Mine – Dongshige Trans-Mountain Trail in Pingxi District”
The Dongshige Trans-Mountain Trail winds through densely forested woods, featuring remnants of the old trail such as mines, arch bridges, and temples to the Earth God. These sites allow you to reminisce about the golden age of mining and experience the hardships of ancestors traveling across the mountains. The itinerary also includes a meal at Jing Tong Huanggong Tea House, a Japanese-style wooden building preserved since the Japanese colonial period, which exudes a strong traditional Japanese atmosphere inside and out.

▲ Various historical relics can be seen along the trans-mountain trail.

“The Magic Forest – Forest Trail in Linkou District”
In addition to its rich ecological forest landscape, the highlight of this forest trail is its five creatively designed “quirky bridges,” making it a fun and laughter-filled hiking route. In the afternoon, visit Shengjin Tea Factory to explore the world of tea. The itinerary includes a Japanese bento, tea jelly, a DIY cold-brew tea session, tea tasting, and a tea garden tour—offering a relaxing and enriching experience.

▲ Discover surprising quirky bridges while hiking in the mountains.

The Miracle of Ferns Journey – Shenkeng District’s Houshanyue Trail
This journey takes you along what can be described as a five-star forest bathing trail – the Houshanyue Trail, where you’ll mostly walk through dense woodlands surrounded by glacial relict plants such as Dipteris conjugata, Asplenium nidus, Nephrolepis auriculata, and Dryopteris crassirhizoma, making you feel as if you’ve entered an ancient botanical park. For lunch, enjoy a herb-themed set meal at the Qing Shan Educational Farm, known for its herb cultivation – satisfying both health and taste in one go.

▲The Houshanyue Trail with its expansive views.

During the New Taipei City Mountain Climbing Tourism Festival, the eight tours listed above are available at a discounted price of NT$777 to NT$1,000. Participants who sign up for any three of the package tours will also be entered into a lucky draw for additional prizes. The package tours are open for registration starting at 2:00 PM on Monday, August 14, 2017, with a total of 1,500 spots available. For tour details and registration, please check the New Taipei City Tourism Official Website (http://tour.ntpc.gov.tw).