MODERATE HIKES IN TAIPEI CITY

Walks listed with the most recent at the top. There might be some overlap between moderate and challenging hikes.

SUNRISE on MOUNT QIXING (七星山日出)

Watching the sun rise on a new day is always a memorable experience, but a sunrise seen from the city’s highest summit is doubly so. The changeable weather up on Mount Qixing makes it challenging for sunrise seekers, but if you do manage to beat the odds, and get good weather it feels like you’ve won the jackpot.

NEIHU TWIN HEARTS TRAIL (內湖雙心縱走)

Normally trails draw me because they offer some specific feature or summit. Maybe a waterfall, a unique temple, or a view that stretches for miles and miles. This walk does indeed have many peaks, some temples, a waterfall, and some views, but the real attraction of this trail is the double heart-shaped route it traces on the map.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 7A

Section 7A of the Taipei Skyline Trail sees you scaling Mount Guanyin the hard way, before leading you along a quieter stretch of path to the place where Taiwan’s Robin Hood (allegedly) met his end.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 6B

This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail offers grand views over Yangmingshan Park’s western hills, as it takes walkers over the steep (and often) muddy peaks of the Mount Datun range.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 3

Straddling Xizhi and Ruifang Districts, Section three of the Taipei Skyline Trail offers a good workout, a few views, a historic fort, and one of Taiwan’s Minor 100 Peaks.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 1B

This section of the Taipei Skyline Trail really packs in the views. Taking you from Caonan in the east to Shiding in the west, it offers thrilling climbing and some tantalising views over the famous Huangdidian Ridge.

TAIPEI SKYLINE TRAIL: SECTION 1A

Climbing from the cerulean waters of Xindian River, this section of the Taipei Skyline Trail takes you up to the ridge line that runs from Bitan over towards Shiding, getting steadily more rugged as it makes its way further east.

ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN to LION MOUNTAIN LOOP (象山/獅山O型)

Lurking in the hills below Mount Nangang and 95 Peak are wild animals. An elephant, a lion, a tiger and a leopard which are collectively known as the Four Beasts. (Ok, so technically they’re hills rather than real beasts.) This loop takes in two of the four, and explores some of the lesser known trails in the area.

THUMB MOUNTAIN SUNRISE (拇指山日出)

There is something undeniably special about hiking up through the thinning dark to watch the sun cast its first rays over the landscape. This short trail in Taipei’s Xinyi District offers a great vantage point to see the sun come up, and observe the city as it gets ready to start a new day

TAIPEI GRAND HIKE – NANGANG MOUNTAIN RANGE AND FUYANG BRANCH LINE (南區茶鄉大縱走 – 南港山系/富陽支線)

The Taipei Grand Hike’s southern arm stretches over the peaks of the Nangang mountain range and up to the huge temples and tea plantations of Muzha. In this section, you will experience wonderful views over Taipei, some of the most popular trails in the city as well as some much quieter, less frequented routes. Take in 360 degree views, historic trails, a mountain-side cemetery and a whole load of temples. This walk is a great way to start your Taipei Grand Hike adventure.

TAIPEI GRAND HIKE – FENG GUI ZUI TO DAGOUXI RIVERSIDE PARK (北區稜線大縱走 – 風櫃嘴/大溝溪生態治水園)

img_3770 The fourth installment of the Taipei Grand Hike takes you to some beautiful and quiet corners of Yangmingshan National Park, as well as some of the more popular scenic spots in Neihu. The best thing about this portion is that it has an abundance of water, from the natural and charming stream running alongside Shuangxigou Old Trail, to the manmade Sweet Water Lake, and the easily accessible Yuanjue waterfall.

TAIPEI GRAND TRAIL – SECTION 1 (臺北大縱走-第一段)

The first part of the the Taipei Grand Hike has you putting in some serious legwork to make it all the way from the flat land of Guandu right up into Yangmingshan National Park. This section takes in art, grand tombs, an irrigation canal, and many, many steps.

MOUNT DATUN MULTI PEAK TRAIL (大屯主峰連峰步道)

img_1519

Right on the western edge of Yangmingshan National Park you can find a quieter alternative to some of the park’s busier walks. The Mount Datun trail takes in three peaks. Short but strenuous roped sections lead you over the west and south peaks followed by some serious steps up to the main peak, and then a gentle coasting down to finish at Erziping.

95 PEAK AND NANGANG SHAN THE SCARY WAY (南港山步道2號峭壁)

NOTE: DUE TO A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN THE AREA THE ROPE TRAILS ARE NOW CLOSED. Think the Nangang mountain range has nothing challenging to offer? Think elephant mountain is the height of excitement? Think again. Hidden between the ridge path of the Nangang trail and the network of small paths around the lower reaches, there are a series of more difficult climbs to tackle. This route incorporates the hardest of them all.

XIAOGUANYIN SHAN LOOP WALK (小觀音山O型縱走)

img_2467 A moderately difficult and very fun loop hike with absolutely stunning views over Yangmingshan Park’s bamboo cloaked northern hills. This is one of my favourite walks in this area and a must for anyone seeking to get away from the crowds at Qixing peak.

See all hikes in Taipei