Also called Caishan Nature Park, this former cement mine is now a large, centrally located park with extensive hiking trails and great views of Kaohsiung City and the bay. The park is famous for a stair path that leads to a summit, where locals will serve tea to those who make it, and freely roaming monkeys who are both fascinating and entertaining. The tropical shore forest terrain is also lovely and provides shade on a hot day. The most centrally located section of the park is about 1 km from the Yangchengpu MRT station.
For running, there are some good options. A fun challenge is the ‘stair path’ to the summit (it can get crowded, best to go early). There’s an extensive series of trails, ranging from moderate to quite hilly, some meant more for hiking, but all with generally good footing. There’s a ‘main trail’ which is of moderate difficulty, as it sort of switchbacks around the mountain. For road running, a good bet is to run the road to the Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine and Love Lookout. Then, run downhill on Wanshou Road to National Sun Yat-sen University, and the Sizivan Beach area. There are many additional roads for running in the park, though they can be narrow and have no shoulder. We could not find a good online map of the trails, but there are large maps at the park entrance and other key points.
Also called Caishan Nature Park, this former cement mine is now a large, centrally located park with extensive hiking trails and great views of Kaohsiung City and the bay. The park is famous for a stair path that leads to a summit, where locals will serve tea to those who make it, and freely roaming monkeys who are both fascinating and entertaining. The tropical shore forest terrain is also lovely and provides shade on a hot day. The most centrally located section of the park is about 1 km from the Yangchengpu MRT station.
For running, there are some good options. A fun challenge is the ‘stair path’ to the summit (it can get crowded, best to go early). There’s an extensive series of trails, ranging from moderate to quite hilly, some meant more for hiking, but all with generally good footing. There’s a ‘main trail’ which is of moderate difficulty, as it sort of switchbacks around the mountain. For road running, a good bet is to run the road to the Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine and Love Lookout. Then, run downhill on Wanshou Road to National Sun Yat-sen University, and the Sizivan Beach area. There are many additional roads for running in the park, though they can be narrow and have no shoulder. We could not find a good online map of the trails, but there are large maps at the park entrance and other key points.
Essentials
Many km of running possible
Most roads and trails in the park are very hilly
Park entrance is 1 km from the Yangchengpu MRT station.
The Love River is signature spot for running in Kaohsiung. There are paths/decent sidewalks for ~10 km, from the Lingyaliao Iron Bridge north to Smile Park. It's more park-like for 4 km north of "Heart of the Love River", with paths on both sides of the river.
This is a very pretty tour of Kaoshiung's extensive harbor. Our 8 km one-way route passes numerous piers and sites with great views of Xizi Bay. There are pedestrian paths or decent sidewalks along most of the route.
A 5-mile loop incorporating several small parks and some interesting sites in the central part of Kaohsiung City. Central Park, a section along the harbor, path along Chenggong 2nd Road, and a park passing the Main Library. Good as standalone or add-on to other routes.
For our favorite run in Kaohsiung City, take the quick ferry over to Cijin Island. Here you'll enjoy a 9+ km seamless waterfront run along a paved path with great views, also experiencing an old fort, lighthouse, and some of the island's historic streets.
A centrally located green oasis about 4 km east of the waterfront. The park is large enough to support a standalone run of a few km. There are pleasant paths around the park, and the impressive National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts with its undulating roof.
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Essentials
Many km of running possible
Most roads and trails in the park are very hilly
Park entrance is 1 km from the Yangchengpu MRT station.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!