Bitou Cape and Longdong Bay

Bitou is the blunt headland where the northeast coast turns south, and the trail out along it is the best short cliff walk near Taipei. The path climbs from a fishing village through grass and screw pine to a ridge of pale sandstone, passing a squat white lighthouse, then runs to a pavilion at the tip with open water on three sides and wave-cut platforms below. Immediately south, Longdong Bay is a horseshoe of vertical sandstone that is the main sea-cliff climbing ground in Taiwan, with bolted routes above the water and a walled seawater pool cut into the rocks for swimming and snorkelling. Between the two, the coast road runs under cliffs the whole way.

What you actually see

• The cape trail - a ridge path over pale sandstone to a pavilion at the tip of the headland.
• Bitou lighthouse - a small white light on the headland, seen from the trail rather than entered.
• Longdong climbing cliffs - vertical sandstone walls above the sea, the main climbing ground on the island.
• The seawater pool - a walled tidal pool at Longdong used for swimming and easy snorkelling.

When to go

October to April brings clear air and manageable heat, though the northeast monsoon makes the cape windy and the sea rough from December to February. Summer is hot and exposed but best for swimming. Go early for shade on the climb. The trail closes in typhoons and in advertised rough sea conditions.

Honest expectations

There is essentially no shade on the ridge and the sandstone reflects heat, so summer midday is punishing and you need to carry water. Wind on the cape is strong enough to be tiring. The sea pool has limited opening months and lifeguard hours. Public buses along the coast road are infrequent and slow, which makes a car much easier.

Nearby

Fulong beach is south along the coast and Jiufen sits in the hills behind.