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, going out for a walk and breaking a sweat can help relieve mental fatigue. However, the scorching sun and high temperatures also deter many people, prompting a well-known online polling website to create a special cooling edition. Using big data, it compiled a ranking of the top ten shaded leisure trails, offering a reference for summer outings.
Shoushan Trail (Image Source / Gushan District Office)
10. Kaohsiung Gushan - Shoushan Trail
Located in Kaohsiung’s Shoushan Nature Park, the Shoushan Trail has preserved rich and diverse natural resources due to past military restrictions. It features unique coral reef vegetation, the famous Formosan macaque population, and precious shell mound relics, making it the city’s most distinctive natural asset.
9. Taipei Muzha - Zhinan Temple Maokong Hiking Trail
The Maokong Hiking Trail at Zhinan Temple, built during the Japanese colonial period, has over a thousand stone steps. Cool in summer, it’s perfect for strolls to escape the heat. In spring and summer, you can also admire cherry blossoms and tung blossoms, making it ideal for family outings.
8. New Taipei Tamsui - Tamsui River Mangrove Ecological Trail
The entrance to the Tamsui River Mangrove Ecological Trail is right next to Tamsui River Mangrove MRT Station. Though less than 1 kilometer long, it’s small but complete. The wooden boardwalk runs along the edge of the mangrove ecological reserve, allowing visitors to closely observe the activities of forest life.
7. Taipei Xinyi – Hushan Hiking Trail
Adjacent to the Xinyi Planning District, Hushan Trail sits at an elevation of just 140 meters, making it suitable for families to enjoy together. From here, you can take in the bustling streets of Taipei and the iconic Taipei 101, while the sparkling night view after dark is particularly enchanting. Starting the hike from the trailhead, the views are clear, and there are plenty of observation decks and rest pavilions along the way.
Tamsui River Mangrove Ecological Trail View (Image Source / Forestry Bureau)
6. Taipei Beitou - Erziping Butterfly Trail
The Erziping recreation area is located in Yangmingshan National Park and features an accessible butterfly corridor trail about 1.8 kilometers long. With wooden boardwalks, pavilions, and seating, it’s known as the most family-friendly trail in Yangmingshan.
5. New Taipei Xindian - Shitoushan Trail
Shitoushan, next to Xindian’s Bitan Lake, consists of three connected peaks. There are multiple trailheads, but most hikers choose to start near Nengren High School by Bitan MRT Station. The trail combines wooden and stone steps, shaded by dense, lush trees that keep the temperature cool and air fresh. 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 is more challenging for beginners. The approximately 4.9-kilometer hike takes around 3 hours and offers views of Qixing Mountain’s ecological landscape, dense forests, and vast grasslands. You can also see the volcanic terrain near Little Oil Pit, and the summit provides a panoramic view of Yangmingshan, Taipei, and the northern coast.
Erziping Trail (Image Source / Taipei City Government)
3. Taichung Beitun - Dakeng Trails 6 & 7
Dakeng Scenic Area is a top choice for outdoor hikes among Taichung locals, featuring 12 trails. Among them, 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 Dajia 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 overlook 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 talked-about leisure path. It includes green architecture like the Beitou Library, the Hot Spring Museum, and the Geothermal Valley. The trail is mostly flat, with numerous attractions, making it a favorite among visitors.
Hushan Hiking Trail (Image Source / Taipei City Government Department of Urban Development)
These ten shaded leisure trails all offer tree cover along the paths, providing cool respite in summer for relaxing walks. Not only can you enjoy natural ecology, but some even boast stunning night views. Consider taking a holiday trip or a family outing to unwind.
Beyond the beach, there’s more to explore ! Selected among the world’s most beautiful paths ~ Top 3 breathtaking trails handpicked
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