Today’s hike was within site of the rooftop of my apartment building in Taipei. While travelling there on the MRT I saw on Google maps that I could make the hike a more interesting loop and include two temples if I changed my plan. It mostly worked. Until I had to descend on this trail and found that the the descent was not a traditional hiking trail. If you do this loop, do it the other way – a whole lot easier to up this than down. 
I also missed two turns and added extra miles to the trip. Taiwan hikers are mostly a friendly bunch and are extremely willing to strike up a conversation at the slightest show of any interest. There are also farmers, laborers and others who are on the trails for work or other obligations and are completely unimpressed with your presence.
The last two at the bottom are for my future reference. There are some good hiking trails around here – as a friendly couple explained to me at length shortly before I missed my 2nd turn.
Poles not needed, quality footwear mandatory since the trails are usually rough-cut stone and often slick with organic growth.
