By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled Report
After indulging in rich meals during the holiday season, many people find themselves needing to start a “weight loss plan” alongside returning to work. Why not combine travel with hiking to get back in shape? Below is a list of favorite hiking destinations among Taiwanese, both domestically and abroad—whether you’re hiking mountains and exploring seas at home or venturing into glaciers and admiring dreamy lakes overseas, you can enjoy your trip while shedding those extra pounds.
Pingtung – Little Liuqiu (Photo credit: Booking.com, the same applies below)
1. Pingtung –Little Liuqiu
Aside from being famous for water activities like snorkeling and kayaking, Pingtung’s Little Liuqiu also boasts the Mountain Boar Gully Ecological Trail as a major highlight. Visitors can stroll along wooden boardwalks to observe unique coral reef and limestone cave formations; they can also head to the ocean-view platform to take in the beautiful bay scenery surrounded by sea in front and forested hills behind. It’s also recommended to visit Beauty Cave and Ghost Cave. Whether hiking uphill or exploring the coast, you can experience diverse island ecology while burning calories.
The “Little Liuqiu Special Zone Campsite,” boasting breathtaking sea views, lets you lie in a tent at night and gaze at the stars, making it the top accommodation choice for family trips or gatherings with friends.
2. Yilan –Datong Township
Surrounded by mountains, Datong Township in Yilan is home to two major national forest recreation areas—Taipingshan and Mingchi—which feature lush and varied forest landscapes. Visitors can explore the Zhongcui Peak Lake Loop Trail in Taipingshan to admire lake and mountain views, or walk along the “Jianqing Huai Gu Trail,” known as one of the most beautiful paths in the world, to unwind and reconnect with nature while hiking to shed weight.
Taipingshan Zhongcui Peak Lake Loop Trail
3. Nantou –Lugu
Nantou County’s Lugu Township is surrounded by mountains and is home to the renowned Xitou Forest Recreation Area, a vibrant natural classroom with abundant natural landscapes. The park features several distinctive trails, including the “Sacred Tree Trail,” where visitors can look up at thousand-year-old red cypresses, and the “Astronomical Observatory Hiking Trail,” which offers panoramic mountain views. These trails cater to hikers of different levels. In addition, the park’s exhibition hall provides detailed natural interpretive displays, making it an ideal educational and recreational spot for families to connect with nature.
Xitou Forest Recreation Area
4. Switzerland –Grindelwald
Switzerland is truly a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Grindelwald, located within the country, serves as a gateway to the iconic Jungfrau and is renowned for its ever-changing scenic beauty across the four seasons, earning it the title of one of the most beautiful towns in the world. Here, in summer, visitors can enjoy rolling green valleys, while in winter, they can gaze at snow-capped peaks and majestic glaciers. Travelers can opt for an easy hike around Lake Bachalpsee and Eiger Mountain, or challenge themselves on the cliffside skywalk—climbing high to enjoy spectacular views while burning calories.
Grindelwald
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