Bitoujiao, for those who love hiking and nature, I would like to recommend Bitoujiao or Bitou Cape, one of the most popular and beautiful hiking trails in Taiwan. It’s easily accessible from Taipei and offers stunning views of the sea, mountains, and beautiful nature along the northeastern coast of Taiwan. The name “Bitou” in Chinese means “tip of the nose”, which is derived from the geographical shape of the cape that resembles a human nose protruding into the sea when viewed from a high angle. This unique shape has earned it the nickname Junjianyan, or ‘Warship Rock’.
Let me take you on a relaxing hike on the breathtaking ridge of Bitoujiao. The natural scenery and panoramic views of the sea and mountains from the top are truly mesmerizing and calming. For those who worry about the difficulty of the trail, this trip emphasizes a chill walk because the path is well made, without any rock climbing or boulder hopping. So, I believe this trail review is suitable for all lifestyles. Is the view as beautiful as I described? Let’s check out the review!
How to get to Bitoujiao
There are several ways to reach Bitoujiao, one of the most popular and beautiful hiking trails in Taiwan. I drove there with my friends, which was quite convenient as we could decide when to arrive and leave. However, if you don’t have a rental car like me, you can easily travel here from Taipei using public transportation. Below are some options you can choose:
Public Transportation: Take a train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station. The train departs every 30 minutes starting from 05:45 and takes about 50 minutes. The fare ranges from NT$53-84. Once you arrive at Ruifang Station, you need to take another vehicle to reach Bitoujiao. Here are some options:
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (Golden Fulong): This tourist bus departs from Ruifang Station and goes to Fulong Visitor Center, stopping at Bitoujiao along the way. The service operates from 08:00-18:00. The fare starts at NT$8 and goes up to NT$15.
- If you don’t want to buy tickets for multiple trips and plan to visit several places, you can opt for a one-day pass that allows unlimited rides. The pass costs NT$50. The advantage of the one-day pass is that it can also be used on bus lines 825, 826, 827, and 788, which could be beneficial if you plan to visit other places. This option is the most cost-effective.
- Bus: From Ruifang Station, you can take bus number 791 or 886 and get off at the Bitou Cape bus stop, then walk to Bitoujiao. Alternatively, you can take bus F805 and get off at Bitou Fishing Port, then walk up to Bitoujiao. It depends on where you want to start your trail. The buses run frequently, so you won’t have to wait long.
- Car Rental: As I mentioned, I drove on this trip, which is the most convenient way. You can park at the port and easily walk up to Bitoujiao. If you enjoy the convenience and flexibility of not having to wait for public transportation, I recommend renting a car.
> Click to check car and rental prices in Taiwan via Klook
> Click to check car and rental prices in Taiwan via KKDay / Chailease / IWS
Let’s start our trail on Bitoujiao!
The trail at Bitoujiao is about 3.5 kilometers long. The popular starting point is near Bitou Elementary School (新北市瑞芳區鼻頭國民小學) because it’s close to the bus stop and offers beautiful views of the sea and surrounding mountains. If you plan to complete the entire trail, I recommend setting aside 2-3 hours for the round trip. If you’re there in the evening on a clear day, you might want to stay and watch the sunset from the top. Bitoujiao is one of the best places to watch the sunset, with the golden light reflecting off the sea and the beautiful coastal scenery.
As I drove myself, I parked at the village’s port and followed the signs up the trail. The initial part of the trail involves climbing some steep stairs, but don’t worry, the path is well-maintained and surrounded by lush trees. There are rest stops and viewpoints along the way.
As you continue along the winding trail up the hillside, the higher you go, the more panoramic the views become. The green grass, blue sea, and surrounding mountains create a stunning landscape. Looking back, you can see the fishing village nestled on the coastline, with white waves crashing against the shore, creating a beautiful artistic scene. The atmosphere is absolutely fantastic.
After soaking in the atmosphere, I continued to the top of the trail, which is a wooden bridge stretching along the ridge. It may seem narrower than the path we climbed, but it’s still a well-maintained wooden bridge that stretches as far as the eye can see. I only stopped to take photos at the main highlight of the trail and didn’t walk to the end where there’s a building.
The day I went, the sky was overcast and it looked like it was going to rain, so I didn’t want to risk going further. I didn’t bring any rain gear. However, this point is the main highlight, and getting a photo here is a complete experience. The long trail along the ridge makes for a great photo, even though I was a bit disappointed that there were too many clouds.
For those who want to continue, you can walk to the ‘Wave Crashing Camp’, a former naval base that has been abandoned for over 20 years. Now, it’s been repainted with new camouflage patterns in pink, green, brown, and black, giving it a relaxed look. It’s been transformed into a coffee shop to welcome tourists who can stop for a cool drink and enjoy the sea view before continuing their trail. I chose to enjoy the view from a high point because it looked like it was about to rain heavily, so I quickly took some photos and hurried back down.
But let me tell you, if you come on a clear day with beautiful weather, try to walk to the end of the trail. Another highlight is the Bitoujiao Lighthouse, a white steel tower standing at the end of the cape that extends into the sea. The lighthouse was built in 1897 and was destroyed during World War II before being rebuilt into the current round, reinforced concrete tower. The lighthouse still serves as a signal for maritime navigation in the Pacific Ocean. While it’s not open to the public, you can walk around it or climb up the cliff behind it for a high view. From here, you can see many rocks eroded by the sea, which is a beautiful sight. From this point, you’ll get a high view that’s different from the views along the trail.
Even though I didn’t walk to the Bitoujiao Lighthouse this time, the views I experienced and the highlight photos I took on the ridge were more than enough and definitely worth it. If you’re focused on taking photos, you might stop to find the perfect spot along the way and take beautiful pictures to bring home.
And that’s my trail walk on Bitoujiao this time. I must say, the nature here is incredibly beautiful. The grass on the hills isn’t too tall, so it doesn’t obstruct the view of the sea below. The green of the grass and the blue of the sea complement each other perfectly. Plus, the high view from the ridge, where you can see the fishing village below along the coastline, is another moment that impressed me. It has the charm of a coastal lifestyle that blends seamlessly with nature. Standing and looking, you can feel a profound sense of peace. If you’re visiting Taiwan, I recommend trying this trail. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
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