Recommended Trail Running Training Spots in Taiwan: Suitable Routes Across North, Central, and South

Introduction

Although Taiwan is small in area, it boasts over 200 peaks above 3,000 meters, and its trail density ranks among the highest in Asia. For trail runners, this is an exceptional training environment—no matter which county or city you live in, you can usually find suitable training trails within an hour’s drive. This article organizes recommended routes by the northern, central, and southern regions, marking difficulty and features to help you plan your daily trail training.

Northern Route Recommendations

The Greater Taipei area has the most concentrated trail running resources in Taiwan, with Yangmingshan National Park and the northern foothill trail systems offering runners a diverse range of options.

Recommended training route on Yangmingshan: Starting from Lengshuikeng, follow the loop route around Qixing Mountain Main Peak to gain approximately 500 meters of vertical ascent, completing a quality trail training session within 8–10 kilometers.

Other notable locations in the north:

• Sanxia Xiongkong Mountain: Continuous climbing sections, ideal for uphill-specific training
• Taoyuan Lala Mountain Sacred Trees Area: Primitive forest trail, leaf-litter surface cushions impact
• Yilan Matcha Mountain (Shengmu Hiking Trail): Steep grassy slopes, excellent for climbing training

Central Route Recommendations

The central mountain region, centered around Taichung’s Dakeng trail group and Nantou’s Ren’ai Township, offers substantial elevation gain and diverse terrain, suitable for intermediate to advanced trail runners.

Taichung Dakeng is the most important training base for central Taiwan trail runners. The Dakeng trail group consists of ten numbered trails, with difficulty increasing from No. 1 (gentle) to No. 10 (extremely steep). Runners can choose the corresponding route based on the day’s training goals. Combining Trails No. 5 and No. 10 is the “Dakeng Double Loop” training method commonly used by local runners, with a total elevation gain exceeding 1,000 meters.

Southern Route Recommendations

The southern mountain region is primarily composed of foothills in Kaohsiung and Tainan, plus primitive trails in Pingtung and Taitung. The climate is hot, but the scenery is magnificent.

Southern runners need to pay special attention to temperature management: depart before 6 AM in summer to avoid exposure on the trails. Kaohsiung Chaishan is the most convenient daily training base for southern runners; its limestone terrain is excellent for ankle stability training.

General Recommendations for All of Taiwan

• Beginners should prioritize: Popular routes have more people and clearer signage, making it easier to get help if problems arise
• Be cautious after rain: Taiwan’s trails become muddy and rocks slippery after rain; it is recommended to wait 24–48 hours before training
• Check the latest trail conditions: Mountain supply stations in each county/city and the Taiwan Mountain Forest Recreation website provide real-time trail information
• Prepare backup routes: Trails may be closed due to weather or maintenance; confirm alternatives before heading out

Practical Tips

1. Join local trail running communities (the Facebook group “Taiwan Trail Runners” has abundant information)
2. Use Strava’s route exploration feature to search for popular trails in your city
3. Download the Walking Taiwan App offline maps as a backup
4. Record vertical gain after each training session as a progress indicator

Conclusion

Taiwan’s trails are the best gym for trail runners—and completely free. From Qixing Mountain beside the Taipei Basin to North Dawu Mountain in southern Taiwan, every route has its own unique terrain language waiting for you to read. Choose a route that matches your current ability and head out this weekend.

Related Reading

• Recommended Trail Running Routes in Taiwan’s Mountains: Around Taipingshan, Xueshan, and Yushan
• Taiwan Road Race Map: Representative Marathons Across the North, South, East, and Central Regions
• Taiwan Road Cycling Climbing Training Map: Best Training Climbs from North to South
• Beginner’s Guide to Trail Running in Taiwan