Summer Cooling & Nature Walks: Taiwan's Top 10 Shaded Hiking Trails

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

The summer sun shines brightly, bringing vibrant life—perfect for heading outdoors to breathe in nature’s phytoncides. Amid the daily hustle and stress of work, a walk and a bit of sweating can help soothe mental fatigue. However, the scorching sun and high temperatures also deter many people. A well-known online polling website has therefore created a special cooling edition, using big data to compile a list of the top ten shaded hiking trails, serving as a reference for summer outings.

10. Kaohsiung Gushan - Shoushan Trail
Located in Kaohsiung’s Shoushan Nature Park, the Shoushan Trail has preserved a rich diversity of natural resources due to past military restrictions. It features unique coral reef vegetation, the famous Formosan macaque population, and precious shell mound ruins, making it one of Kaohsiung’s most distinctive natural assets.
 
9. Taipei Muzha - Zhinan Temple Maokong Hiking Trail
Built during the Japanese colonial period, the Maokong Hiking Trail at Zhinan Temple has over a thousand stone steps. Cool in summer, it’s ideal for leisurely walks and escaping the heat. In spring and summer, you can also enjoy cherry blossoms and tung blossoms, making it perfect for family outings.
 
8. New Taipei Tamsui - Tamsui Mangrove Ecological Trail
The entrance to the Tamsui Mangrove Ecological Trail is right next to Tamsui Mangrove MRT Station. Though less than 1 kilometer long, it packs a lot into a small space. The wooden boardwalk along the edge of the mangrove conservation area lets visitors get up close to the forest’s dynamic ecosystem.
 
7. Taipei Xinyi – Hushan Hiking Trail
Adjacent to the Xinyi Planning District, Hushan Trail sits at just 140 meters above sea level, making it suitable for families to enjoy together. From here, you can take in sweeping views of Taipei’s bustling streets and the iconic Taipei 101, with even more dazzling night views after dark. The trail offers excellent visibility from the start, with several scenic viewpoints and rest pavilions along the way.

6. Taipei Beitou - Erziping Butterfly Trail
The Erziping recreation area in Yangmingshan National Park features an accessible butterfly corridor trail about 1.8 kilometers long. With wooden boardwalks, pavilions, and seating, it’s known as the most beginner-friendly trail in Yangmingshan.
 
5. New Taipei Xindian - Shitoushan Trail
Shitoushan, near Xindian’s Bitan Lake, consists of three connected peaks. There are multiple trailheads, but most hikers start near Renren Junior High School by Bitan MRT Station. The trail combines wooden and stone steps, with dense tree cover providing cool shade and fresh air. Each of the three summits has an observation pavilion.
 
4. Taipei Beitou - Qixing Mountain Hiking Trail
As the highest peak in Yangmingshan National Park, Qixing Mountain poses a greater challenge for beginners. The roughly 4.9-kilometer hike takes about three hours and rewards you with views of Qixing Mountain’s ecological landscape, dense forests, and vast grasslands. You can also see volcanic formations near Xiaoyoukeng and enjoy panoramic views of Yangmingshan, Taipei, and the northern coast from the summit.

3. Taichung Beitun - Dakeng Trails 6 & 7
Dakeng Scenic Area is a top choice for outdoor hikes among Taichung residents, featuring 12 trails. Trails 6 and 7 have gentle slopes, shaded paths, and are easy for all ages. They also offer views of the greater Taichung Basin and Dadu Mountain Range.
 
2. Taipei Xinyi - Xiangshan Hiking Trail
Right next to Hushan, Xiangshan Hiking Trail is the closest hill to Songshan and Xinyi districts. From the summit, you can see Taipei’s Xinyi District and Taipei 101, making it a popular spot for photographers.
 
1. Taipei Beitou - Beitou Hot Spring Trail
Made famous by Pokémon GO, the Beitou Hot Spring Trail is now a highly discussed leisure path. Alongside green architecture like the Beitou Library, the Hot Spring Museum, and the Geothermal Valley, the trail is mostly flat, packed with attractions, and loved by many visitors.

These ten shaded trails all offer cooling greenery in summer, perfect for walks and escaping the heat. Not only can you enjoy nature, but some even provide stunning night views. Consider taking a holiday hike or a family trip to unwind.