Taiwan Outdoors

27/01/2025

Level up your visit Taipei 📈

Add one of these to get out of the city and explore the wild side of Taiwan! 🤙

Check out our link in bio ⬆️ for tour details or request a custom trip.

Adventures in Taiwan are closer than you think!

Hiking | Cycling | Indigenous | Birding - These kinds of experiences in Taiwan are easily doable on day trips, you just have to know how to plan it.

Follow for more travel inspiration and tips! 🙌

20/01/2025

We're so thrilled to continue to work with incredible indigenous communities across Taiwan.

07/01/2025

🌿 Is Taiwan The Kingdom of Ferns?

Define a Kingdom 👑
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Taiwan is home to an incredible 650 recorded fern species, placing it at the heart of global fern diversity. To put this into perspective, Taiwan’s landmass of just 36,000 km² hosts 34 of the world’s 39 fern families, compared to 400 species in North America and 450 in Australia—both continents with vastly larger areas. Truly, Taiwan earns its title as the Kingdom of Ferns!

Guardians of Time 💂
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Ferns have witnessed Earth’s evolution for over 400 million years. Taiwan’s Jurassic-era ferns, like the flying spider-monkey tree fern (Cyathea lepifera) and the turnip fern (Angiopteris lygodiifolia), thrive in abundance here. Globally protected in other regions, they are easily found even near Taipei. Taiwan embodies the entire evolutionary history of ferns—hosting families from all three major evolutionary phases of these ancient plants.

Ferns of the Trails 🥾
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Imagine hiking Taiwan’s forested mountains, where ferns blanket the landscape, growing on rocky cliffs, tree trunks, and the forest floor. Their intricate fronds—ranging from palmate to pinnate patterns—create a harmonious blend of geometry and nature, shaping the trails into tranquil havens. The subtle hues of green bring serenity to even the most rugged paths.

Healing Greens 💚
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Maybe you don’t need the reminder, but we can’t over look the therapeutic power of ferns. Their greens create calming environments, reducing stress and promoting mental well-being.

5️⃣ Facts of Ferns 🌱

* Ferns like the tamariskoid spikemoss and the tree ferns of Hehuan Mountain showcase the island’s vast biodiversity, shaped by ice age migrations and its unique topography.

* Taiwan’s ecological history makes it a living Noah’s Ark, hosting species that “walked” across its terrain during ice ages, now thriving across elevations from sea level to over 3,000 meters.

24/10/2024

While we've run Parkbus Taiwan for a few years now, we've really been working on building Taiwan Outdoors for just 8 months.

Our goal is to really shift international perspectives on how Taiwan should be experienced as a travel destination.

We're building a strong trade and media network to get the word out and are thrilled it's starting to pay off.

Taiwan Outdoors was featured in Wired For Adventure's bi-monthly magazine - the UK's longest running adventure travel publication.

Link in comments below!

25/09/2024

Unlock the part of Taiwan that few visitors ever visit.
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Less than 2 hours away from 7,000,000 people is a protected area that boosts over 20km of safe, family-friendly trails and a ton of bird and wild-life.
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Dongyanshan National Forest is the kind of destination that most international visitors don't experience because they don't know it exists.
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That's why we produced our online guide to Dongyanshan - https://taiwanoutdoors.com/hiking/national-forests/dongyanshan-2/
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Inside you'll find details on how to visit on your own, GPX files of all the trails and how to plan out your own visit to this amazing natural area.
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Save this for your next adventure in Taiwan!
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18/09/2024

Couldn't you picture yourself walking these trails, surrounded by ancient trees?
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Lalashan (R'ra) National Forest is the latest addition to Taiwan's fantastic network of protected areas.
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These offer visitors and residents a chance to connect to nature in a meaningful way. We're so lucky to have them. 💚
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It's not an easy destination to get to, but it is pretty and offers visitors a chance to visit one of Taiwan's last remaining Ancient Cypress Tree Groves. 🌳
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We've written an online guide for you to explore this on your own - www.taiwanoutdoors.com/hiking/national-forests/lalashan-national-forest/

If you need a hand getting there, just ask. We'll sort it out.

30/08/2024

Heading into the weekend, curious what people have planned.

We just finished whipping up a long overdue post about Five Finger Mountain in Hsinchu. What we loved about this hike:
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1) Several "peaks" over a trail that rises and falls - keeps things interesting!
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2) While most peaks are forested, there are a few with great views over Hsinchu and the plains. On a clear day you can see the Taiwan Strait.
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3) Post hike there you can explore the temple near the trailhead (五指山玉皇宮) or you can head over to one of the several stalls selling noodles, drinks or small pizza shop called 森窯have a Picnic.

Check the post and plan a day out on the trail. This one is fun.

Have a great weekend!

Hiking Wuzhishan 五指山 can be a challenge indeed. Also referred to as Five Finger Mountain, Wuzhishan includes climbing five difference peaks.

26/07/2024

The northeast coast of Taiwan is filled with awesome adventures for outdoor lovers of all abilities.

Longdong Bay Promontory #龍洞灣岬步道 is located 30 minutes east of Fulong and is accessible from a parking lot with restrooms.

For those looking for an easy stroll, along a flat, well-maintained trail, this is a perfect@way to take in the rugged north coast of Taiwan.

For the more adventurous, heading down to the shore and join a rock climbing adventure with

10/07/2024

Honestly, one of our favorite historic trails in Taiwan.

✅ Beautiful Scenery
✅ Historic Sites and Indigenous Culture
✅ Epic Suspension Bridges
✅ Mixed forests including bamboo and fall foliage during December

It's a long hike, but well worth it. Many locals camp at the Baishi Police Station, making this an ideal overnight options for those looking for adventure in Taiwan.

The Syakaro Historic Trail is one of Taiwan's National Trails and is truly one of the most iconic cultural trails in the country.

20/06/2024

💥 A Hidden Gem in Southern Taiwan! 💥
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Shuangliu National Forest is located less than an hour and a half from Kaohsiung and Taitung Cities. A perfect addition to any visit to Southern Taiwan, this protected area boasts 10km of trails, nearly 200 species of butterflies and a stunning waterfall.
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Often overlooked by visitors, the trails of Shuangliu National Forest are ideal for bird lovers and those looking for an easy stroll in Taiwan's great outdoors.
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With an area for swimming and cooling off in the river, add this to your next itinerary in southern Taiwan!

Check our detailed guide to help plan your visit - TaiwanOutdoors.com/hiking/national-forests/shuangliu-national-forest/
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12/06/2024

Thrilled to be spreading the word about Taiwan’s great outdoors!

In this exclusive interview, we talk with Michael McCreesh, the dynamic Founder and CEO of Taiwan Outdoors. Michael reveals his passion for Taiwan’s diverse outdoor activities and the inspiration behind […]

12/06/2024

Only 176 people are allowed to visit here each day.

Jade Mountain Main Peak is a pretty popular destination, but its managed well by Taiwan's National Parks.

Sure, it's not perfect. Some get frustrated with the complex and competitive permit process, but it's important to keep this experience safe, enjoyable and ecologically sustainable.

Usually experienced over a 3-day / 2-night trip, guests with moderate fitness levels and the ability (desire?) to "rough" it one night in Paiyun Mountain Lodge should have no problems reaching the top of Taiwan.

Here are a few ways you can learn more:
👉 LINEbot for Weather Forecasts, Info and Booking Jade Mountain - https://lin.ee/OhWuuRz
👉 Check our 3-day/2-night package for Jade Mountain - https://shorturl.at/xtGqR
👉 Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Taiwan - https://shorturl.at/4y0Qe

03/06/2024

💥 Taiwan's Lost Railway 💥

Winding through a mystical forest in Alishan National Forest is a trail that leaves a lasting impression on hikers. The Mian Yue Line trail is 9-kilometer (one-way) and traverses a mix of old-growth and secondary forests.

It also passes through one of Taiwan's many Ecological Nature Reserves. This means visitors must apply for a permit. Each day, only 350 are issued and it's a lottery system if it exceeds this quota.
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It often goes to lottery, making it hard to access to.
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It's become one of the most popular hiking routes in the country due to its seclusion and unique cultural heritage. It also features a number of elevated bridges, tunnels and other historical sites.
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Development of the Mianyue Line as a forest rail service began in 1913 and was officially completed in 1915.
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It moved a lot of lumber in its day. Ultimately, in 1934, the Mian Yue Line was dismantled because the logging operation was terminated in the area. The nail in the coffin was the 2009 Typhoon Morakot which caused a landslide to slice through one of the railway tunnels. This has left one of the more thrilling sections featured on this trail.
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🥾 18km (Return)
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🔛 Linear Two-Way - Although there is an overnight thru-route that connects Alishan to Nantou along a 27km hike named A-Si (阿溪縱走).
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📑Permits Required - The trail traverses through a habitat for a rare, endemic orchid, the Taiwan Pleione.
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Difficulty Level - 2/5 - Solely for collapsed section and distance. There is no technical hiking required.

Interested in hiking this trail? Drop a note below or send us a DM. For tour details visit - https://taiwanoutdoors.com/tours-and-activities/mian-yue-line/

22/05/2024

A paddle around "Ilha Formosa" looks a little like this ☝️

So you see, Taiwan isn't quite what you think it is. You might have pictured an urban island, but nature is a big part of what make Taiwan a great destination.

😄 When you're here in Taiwan, you'll notice we're a tad obsessed with the great outdoors - from our addiction to ocean adventures to our endless number of hiking trails, it shows! ☀️

🚗 Drive one hour from Taipei () to the North-East coast of Taiwan () to explore a beautiful and rugged coastline with endless adventures (on land and sea).

💥 Start your day with for an absolutely stunning sunrise SUP adventures.

📍: Badouzi, New Taipei City



ID: A single shot showing a group of people SUP boarding on a calm ocean while the sunrises in front a rocky outcrop.

13/05/2024

🌾 Forest Protectors: The Role of Ferns in Ecosystems 🌳
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The Asplenium nidus, or bird’s nest fern, often seen in the canopy layers of Taiwan’s rainforests like here in Neidong National Forest, play a crucial role in forest ecology by creating microhabitats for diverse wildlife.
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They're also really pretty to look at.
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- Did you know that there are over 650 species of ferns in Taiwan?
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For a full guide to discovering Neidong National Forest visit - https://taiwanoutdoors.com/hiking/national-forests/neidong/
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02/05/2024

Xiaoliuqiu is under attack. With increased visitation due to the recent earthquakes, this small island off the west coast of Taiwan is under extreme pressure from over tourism, pollution and garbage.

10/04/2024

🔥🔥🔥 Win a Free Guided Tour along the Tonghou Traversing Trail for you and 6 friends courtesy of Taiwan Outdoors! 🔥🔥🔥
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Who would you bring with you on this epic 9km hike that meanders along the Tonghou Stream from New Taipei City to Yilan County? It’s totally up to you!
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All you have to do to enter is post a video or photo(s) of Taiwan’s spectacular outdoors on Instagram and tag to be entered!*
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*Full terms and conditions can be found here - TaiwanOutdoors.com/spring-giveaway/
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分享自然美景，贏得桶後之旅 (link in bio)
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只要在 Instagram 上分享你珍藏的台灣大自然美景照片，並標註 帳號，您將有機會獲得免費的私人桶後越嶺步道之旅。

08/04/2024

When referring to Taiwan’s Top 100 Mountains, the word “Top” does not refer strictly to the highest peaks by elevation, but rather peaks most worthy of hiking.

Taiwan’s Top 100 Mountains are locally known as the Taiwan’s Baiyue (臺灣百岳).

Ever wonder which mountains were selected and why?

Taiwan's Top 100 Mountains are locally known as the Baiyue (百岳). Selected from mountains over 3,000m, these peaks are some of Asia's best!