The Taiwanese love going out into nature. For such an outdoorsy society, surprisingly very few people tackle Taiwan or even Taipei) on 2 wheels. With Yang Ming Shan (the capital's great urban jungle just on the outskirts of town) and dozens of good, short courses within the heart of the city itself, Taipei hides weeks of great riding.

For hardened riders - both locals and expats alike - Taiwan's cross country, downhill and mountain bike scene is low-key, by comparison to the 10-15 % of the population that hikes regularly. The payoff visitors, is dozens of well-maintained, regularly used trails (usually in great condition) where you'll have endless views over vast swaths of rural Taipei County entirely to yourself.

While there are hundreds of good established trails in northern Taiwan, here are some of the best that could be done in as short as a half day ride

The Gas Plant: Taipei's best short ride Trail Time: 1-2 hour

Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate

Like many of the city's best biking trails, the Gas Plant (named for the adjacent gas plant, near Lin Kuang MRT station) is largely unofficial, but an excellent ride. At just under 3km, the trails popular with hikers and bikers; to avoid foot traffic go weekdays, or very early and late on weekends.

The trail starts just behind the gas plant, adjacent to the World Trade Center, and for the first 1 km is short stretches of gentle uphill. Getting progressively steeper and longer, they're a good warm up to the massive climb over roots and rocks about 1.3km in, up the adjacent hill, topping out in spectacular views over the entire city.

Following that, it's a steep descent over shallow steps, with some very tight, technically demanding hairpin turns. There are a few portages over major rocks, after which its a great but hair raising run over the next several hundred metres, including a steeply-banked 1 m drop. Dodging a few large rocks after that, the remainder of the Gas Plant's a shady, green tunnel of trees over a fast downhill, which can be challenging in wet conditions. From there, it's a set of steps to the main road. It's 10 mins to bike back to the trailhead just off Hsin Hai Rd.

The La La Shan Trail

Trail Time: 3-5 hours

Skill Level: Intermediate (technical downhill)

Situated in southern Taipei County around the mini-biking mecca of Wulai (the vast, underrated, rural heart of the capital) is the half-day La La Shan Trail. It's one of the region's most rewarding routes, with rolling down hills through pristine forests that are frequently interrupted by stunning views over the surrounding mountains.

Coming straight in from the highway at Shang Ba Ling, it's a rolling 11 km road ride down to the trailhead, along the fringes of La La Shan's famed cypress forest. It takes roughly an hour's ride in from the sign post for La La's summit trail, but for the views and the sheer length as a solid ride, it's well worth it.

The trail hugs the mountainside in most places, but it's generally 2-3m wide, with just a scant few sections you've got to walk, due to rocks or washout. The trail is 1 m wide in places, which is particularly hair-raising on some of the tighter curves

Eventually, the long 8-9km descent begins, with long stretches of obstacle-free dirt, winding its way through the forest, across several small bridges, thoughtfully placed over large boulders or ditches. The trail continually tightens and constricts with the last 3km stretch throwing in plenty of roots and drops, but nothing bigger than 30cm.

The Ski Lift

Trail Time: 2.5 hours

Skill Level: High Intermediate

Situated in Neihu, Yang Ming Shan Park, Taipei's best downhill course is named the Ski Lift, since cyclists generally take the auto-option to get to the top before tackling the long, advanced descent. From the top, the stone covered trail starts off with a tight tree cover and altitude. It's nearly always slick, and it eventually enters a large drop (a very steep chute), before reaching paved road. This cuts its way through the woods to a tall flight of stairs that are too steep to ride on. Among Taipei's cycling fraternity, this stretch is known as 'the Snake'.

Continuing down after crossing several intersecting trails and a brief ashphalt strip, things narrow to a single track, which can get crowded with hikers at midday on weekends. After passing a short stretch of loose gravel, it's on to the trail's biggest climb - a 15-minute monster.

Be careful in this stretch, which is deceptively called 'the Spike', a cautionary reference to the many bits of reebar jutting out from the trail's base layer, following which the trail uses a long, winding series of switchbacks to defuse an otherwise suicidal steep drop. Overgrown with roots in places, the trail levels out after one last big drop of over 1 m.

From there, it's a tight, single track, but a smooth downhill shot for quite a ways before a final stretch of small drops and the end of the 10km trail.