14 April 2026
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Blessed with year-round sunshine and a mild climate, Taiwan is a destination where nature can be enjoyed in every season. Its dramatic mountains and coastlines, paired with well-developed infrastructure, support a rich variety of outdoor experiences. Whether hiking hills, exploring the coastline or cycling between city streets and natural scenery, travelers can discover Taiwan’s unique blend of landscape, culture and daily life.
1. Hiking: Yangmingshan National Park
Many mountain trails in Taiwan lie just beyond city limits. From Dakeng in Taichung and Shoushan in Kaohsiung to Xiangshan, steps from Taipei 101, these accessible routes offer gentle slopes, rich ecosystems and rewarding views — perfect for a daily dose of greenery and fresh air.Yangmingshan National Park is the quintessential urban-edge wilderness. Just an hour’s drive from central Taipei, it preserves volcanic landscapes and diverse vegetation, with a well-maintained trail network suitable for both leisurely strolls and more challenging hikes.
Highlights include the Qingtiangang Loop Trail, with wide, rolling grasslands where water buffalo graze, creating a pastoral weekend picnic atmosphere. For a greater challenge, the Qixing Mountain Trail spans roughly four kilometers from the Lengshuikeng trailhead, passing Dream Lake and reaching Taipei’s highest peak. Mist often shrouds Dream Lake, home to the rare Taiwanese quillwort, an ecological highlight along the way. At 1,120 meters, the stone steps can be steep, but clear days reward hikers with sweeping views across the Taipei Basin.
After the hike, reward yourself with seasonal produce. At Yangming Spring (Shilin), a serene MICHELIN-recommended restaurant with a Japanese zen vibe, diners enjoy a changing plant-based menu reflecting the forest’s flavors and rhythms. Alternatively, Bib Gourmand restaurant Sung Chu Yuan offers free-range chicken dishes and farm-fresh seasonal vegetables from nearby growers — a warming pot of chicken soup is the perfect way to replenish energy after a day outdoors.
2. Diving: Longdong Bay and Mao’ao Bay
Longdong Bay, on Taiwan’s northeast coast, is one of the region’s most popular diving spots and a favorite starting point for beginners. Less than an hour from Taipei, the bay stretches from Longdong Bay Ocean Park to Hemei Elementary School, covering diving points Longdong 1 through 4. Sheltered by fjord-like terrain, the calm, brilliantly blue waters are home to vibrant soft corals and neon damselfish, attracting divers each year from May to September.Primarily suited for shore diving, Longdong Bay requires carefully carrying gear down to the water. Beyond scuba diving, visitors can enjoy snorkeling, rock climbing and cliff jumping. With professional instructors, both beginners and experienced divers can tailor their experience and soak in the energy of Taiwan’s summer seas.
Further south along Provincial Highway 2, Mao’ao Bay — often called a snorkeling paradise — is equally worth visiting. Its calm, crystal-clear waters are framed by historic stone fisherfolk houses and the heritage of local female divers, offering a mix of natural and cultural exploration.
Along the route, MICHELIN-recommended Chia I, a local favorite for over 30 years, is a must-stop. Aquariums display live seafood and freezers hold fresh catches from Aodi Fishing Harbor. Signature dishes such as oil-braised squid and three-cup abalone (abalone stir-fried with soy sauce, sesame oil and rice wine) highlight the northeast coast’s fresh, vibrant flavors in an unpretentious, authentic way.
RELATED: Best Seafood Restaurants in Taiwan
3. Windsurfing and sailing: Nanliao Fishing Harbor, Hsinchu
Known as the “Windy City,” Hsinchu’s seasonal winds shape its outdoor lifestyle. Each summer, Nanliao Fishing Harbor, just a short drive from the city, comes alive. With steady breezes and open waters, it’s a prime spot for windsurfing, sailing and other water sports. The harbor also offers stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking courses, all guided by professional instructors.Beginners can start with windsurfing — mastering balance and reading the wind brings the thrill of riding the waves. Beyond water sports, the annual Hsinchu International Kite Festival is a summer highlight, with giant kites painting the sky and adding vibrant color to the coastline.
After a day on the water, local snacks provide the perfect reward. MICHELIN-recommended Hai Kou Guabao serves generously filled buns with soft lotus leaf bread, homemade chili sauce and crisp pork meatball soup. Nearby, Ying Wang Meatball, a 60-year-old MICHELIN-recommended institution, offers chewy, hearty fried meatballs with red yeast-marinated pork and a sweet-spicy sauce — a nostalgic flavor beloved by generations of Hsinchu residents.
RELATED: 10 Must-Try Street Foods in Taiwan
4. River tracing: Guguan, Taichung
Guguan, along the Dajia River in Taichung, is a renowned hot spring area and a hidden natural gem that draws river-tracing enthusiasts year after year. About an hour and a half from central Taichung along the Central Cross-Island Highway, the scenery shifts from city views to forested gorges, revealing a peaceful mountain retreat.For first-timers, Songhe Creek offers an easy, scenic route. This tributary flows through the Atayal Songhe community, with crystal-clear waters and darting fish. Along the way, hikers can enjoy serene pools, canyon views and waterfalls like Butterfly Valley — a route rich in ecological highlights.
Experienced adventurers can tackle Saolai Creek, home to the dramatic Longgu Waterfall, which drops 40 meters and marks the site of the former Longgu Amusement Park, closed after the 921 earthquake. Along the cliffs, a hidden Guanyin statue adds a contemplative touch to the rugged scenery. Anma Creek is known for its old power plant ruins, where sunlight casts vibrant colors across rock walls and flowing water, with Taiwan shoveljaw carp weaving through the stream.
After a day on the river, retreat to the nearby hot springs for rest. One-MICHELIN-Key hotel Hoshinoya Guguan, nestled in the valley, blends understated architecture with its natural surroundings. Gallery-like reception spaces, serene gardens and attentive Japanese-style service create a tranquil stay. Soaking in the natural hot springs washes away the day’s exertion, letting body and mind unwind amid forest and water.
RELATED: Hoshinoya Guguan: A Serene Hot Spring Escape in Taiwan’s Highlands
5. Cycling: Route 1 and Sun Moon Lake
Taiwan offers well-planned cycling routes and widespread rental systems, making rides easy to tailor — from city streets to long-distance adventures. For leisurely sightseeing rides, city paths are ideal. In Tainan, the Confucius Temple bike path takes about 30 minutes, linking the temple, art museum and Hai’an Road art street for a relaxed cultural ride. In Kaohsiung, the Love River Bike Path stretches roughly 30 kilometers from True Love Pier to Lotus Pond, passing scenic riverbanks and museums.For nature lovers, the Sun Moon Lake loop is a must-ride, and is known as one of the world’s most beautiful cycling paths. Its Xiangshan section features a 400-meter overwater bike path, offering the feeling of riding above the lake with panoramic mountain and water views. For the ultimate challenge, Route 1 encircling Taiwan spans about 940 kilometers, connecting coastal and mountain scenery across major towns. Experienced cyclists can complete it in nine to twelve days or break it into segments using train connections.
Local cuisine is an essential part of the journey. From Taipei’s Dadaocheng, start with a Taiwanese breakfast at Bib Gourmand establishment Mai Mian Yan Tsai or the classic Da-Qiao-Tou Tube Rice Pudding (Yanping North Road) for fuel. After the ride, reward yourself with comforting beef noodles or celebrate with fellow cyclists at MICHELIN-Starred restaurants. Indulge in refined Cantonese dishes at Three-MICHELIN-Starred Le Palais, such as crispy roast baby duck, or enjoy Japanese cuisine with Taiwan-inspired elements at Two-MICHELIN-Starred Eika, letting both body and taste buds savor a well-earned treat.
RELATED: A New Culinary Voice Bridging Taiwan and Japan — Inspectors Reveal All about Two-MICHELIN-Star Eika
Hero image: Along the Shenao coast on New Taipei City’s northern shore, kayaking has become a popular activity for visitors. © Shutterstock
Further Reading:
The Ultimate Outdoor Guide to Taiwan: Hiking, Coastlines and Cycling Adventures
2 Days in Alishan & Sun Moon Lake: Top Sights, Eats and Stays
Taiwan’s Music Festivals: Top Sights, Eats and Stays
