Most walkers in the area come for Battleship Rock's photogenic qualities, but if you've been there and done that, perhaps your next walk could be this alternative route through the hills of Beitou District.
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MOUNT DATUN MULTI PEAK TRAIL (大屯主峰連峰步道)
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.
DRAGON BOAT ROCK AND MOUNT KAIYAN TRAIL (開眼山/白石湖山/大邱田山/龍船岩O型路線)
A slightly scrappy scramble across several of Neihu’s peaks. This walk has the added bonus of passing some cute little land god shrines and a scenic spot popular with social media fans.
MAI BA LAI SHAN (麥巴來山)
When we signed in at the trailhead, the person manning the register said "the mountain is yours today, there's no one else." He wasn't wrong. Mai Ba Lai is never going to lure the crowds in search of Instagrammable views, but it offers another kind of draw: quietness and seemingly endless forest.
ZHI GAO ZHEN TRAIL LOOP (知高圳O型縱走)
Zhi Gao Zhen is a small canal in Wuri that draws water from Fazi River to irrigate farms in Nantun, Wuri and Dadu. The shaded and well-paved trail stretches from Wuri to Dadu District and with the sound of the water playing as backdrop music, it is a gentle trail, perfect for a weekend stroll with the family. If you have a little more energy, you can turn it into a loop by adding a short scramble up to a low overlook with views over Changhua.
BATTLESHIP ROCK TO XIN BEITOU (軍艦岩往新北投)
You can combine a visit to this photogenic rock outcrop with a not-too-difficult walk to a rather pretty Japanese shrine and end up right next to Beitou's famous sulphur valley.
WAI WA ZI SHAN TO HONGLUDI NANSHAN FUDE TEMPLE (外挖子山步道-烘爐地南山福德宮)
A ridge trail which skirts the southern edge of Taipei and takes in a couple of notable temples along the way.
XIN SHAN to DREAM LAKE and KEZILIN RIVER POOL (新山/夢湖/柯子林天然游泳池)
Excitement, adventure, great views, a hidden lake and a wild swimming pool just outside of Taipei. This is a great loop walk with all sorts of rewards for those who attempt it in the warmer months.
ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN, THUMB MOUNTAIN AND 95 PEAK ON THE NANGANG TRAIL (南港山佈道: 象山 / 拇指山 / 九五峰)
Escape the hoards of tourists taking selfies at that most famous of Taipei's scenic views by exploring beyond elephant mountain. This easy route takes you higher to muzhi mountain and 95 peak, all the while offering great vantage points and lots of hidden shrines to discover.
MOUNT SHAMAO TRAIL (紗帽山)
An easy spring hike in Yangmingshan national park for lizard lovers to enjoy. If you go at the right time of day, you can soak your feet (and body) afterwards in the public hot spring baths.
LIDONG SHAN AND TAPUNG CASTLE VIA DAHUN SHAN (大混山/李棟山)
A many-layered mountain forest trail leads up to an old fortress and a slice of Taiwan's history.
XIAOCUKENG ANCIENT TRAIL TO SHIMEN HILL (小粗坑古道/石門山)
A moderate afternoon hike up an old cattle path with a minor peak at the top.
XIHU TO DA LUN WEI HILL (西湖往大崙尾山)
A pick-your-own-ending style ramble around the hills north of Neihu.
ERGE SHAN VIA NANBANGLIAO LOOP (二格山，南邦寮山)
This short loop at the edge of civilisation offers a quick getaway from the city.
JIALI MOUNTAIN (加里山)
Expect beautiful scenery and splendid forest as you climb up to the summit of Miaoli's Jiali Mountain.