Northeast Coast Scenic Double Treat: Taoyuan Valley Grassland and Nanzilin Trail Guide

🌿 Taoyuan Valley Grassland Trail

📍 Location

Situated at the border of Gongliao District in New Taipei City and Toucheng in Yilan County, part of the mountain system surrounding the Caoling Historic Trail.

✨ Highlights
• Famous for its "highland grassland" scenery, often referred to as "Taiwan's Little Hokkaido."
• Expansive and gentle grassy slopes with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Guishan Island.
• Seasonal beauty: lush green grass in spring and summer, swaying silver grass in autumn and winter.

🚶‍♂️ Hiking Routes

Taoyuan Valley offers four main trailheads:
1. Neiliao Route (shortest): About 1.2 km one-way, reaching the grassland in 30–40 minutes.
2. Daxi Route (best views): About 3.6 km one-way, taking 2–2.5 hours.
3. Shiguanyin Route: About 5.2 km one-way, approximately 3 hours.
4. Caoling Historic Trail Branch: Suitable for experienced hikers, can be combined with the historic trail.

👍 Recommended for:
• Those seeking a relaxed grassland experience → Neiliao Route.
• Those wanting stunning mountain and ocean views → Daxi Route.

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⛰️ Nanzilin Trail

📍 Location

Located in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, near Bitou Cape, Jiufen, and Nanya Rock Formations.

✨ Highlights
• A stairway-dominated trail, only 0.9 km long, leading directly to the ridge.
• Offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view at the summit, including:
• East: Pacific Ocean, Keelung Islet
• South: Bitou Cape, Nanya Rock Formations
• North: Shen’ao Cape, Keelung Mountain
• Often regarded as one of the most scenic trails among Taiwan's "Small Hundred Peaks."

🚶‍♂️ Trail Information
• Length: About 0.9 km one-way, 1.8 km round trip
• Time: Approximately 30–40 minutes to the summit
• Difficulty: Short but steep, requiring some physical effort

👍 Recommended for:
• Travelers seeking stunning mountain and ocean views in a short time
• Perfect for pairing with a day trip to Jiufen and Bitou Cape

⸻

🛎️ Tips
• Both trails are located in the windy Northeast Coast area; sunscreen and wind protection are recommended.
• Taoyuan Valley Grassland lacks shade; ensure sun protection and hydration during summer.
• Nanzilin Trail has many stairs; be cautious of knee strain when descending.