YANGMINGSHAN HIKES

Often referred to as “the playground of Taipei” or “Taipei’s backyard”, Yangmingshan National Park is truly a blessing for Taipei-based hikers. Within an hour’s bus ride from the city you can access a vast treasure trove of hiking trails and beautiful scenery. This page is a repository of all the trails on this site that are contained within or pass through Yangmingshan National Park.

For some background information about the park itself, check out this post on the Taiwan Hikes site.

LUJIAOKENG ECOLOGICAL PROTECTED AREA and FENGLIN WATERFALL TRAIL (鹿角坑生態保護區/楓林瀑布)

Tucked into the northern folds of Yangmingshan National Park, Lujiaokeng Ecological Protection Area and Fenglin Waterfall can only be accessed by those who have applied for a permit. Don’t let that put you off though, this pretty trail involves lots of stream crossings and the remoteness means you’re all but guaranteed a quiet walk.

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.

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 6A

Most of the Taipei Skyline Trail’s sixth instalment covers trails within Taipei National Park. This first half takes you along the same route as the Taipei Grand Hike, and also happens to be one of the prettiest easily-accessed walks in the park.

TIANMU WATER PIPE TRAIL and BANLING CANAL via MOUNT SHAMAO (天母水管路/紗帽山/半嶺古圳)

The trails in Tianmu are some of the better-known trails in the foothills of Yangmingshan National Park Despite this, there are always places you’ve never been, and even revisiting familiar paths will show you a new side to the place.

QIXING SHAN NIGHT HIKE (七星山夜爬)

Qixing Shan attracts walkers year-round for its expansive views, bamboo-lined paths and volcanic geology. As Taipei’s highest mountain, it is a must-climb for the city’s population of avid hikers, but how many of them can say they have climbed it in the dark?

MOUNT ZHONGZHENG TRAIL (中正山步道)

Mount Zhongzheng Hiking Trail makes for a quiet and easy wander in the westernmost reaches of Yangmingshan National Park. Starting just a couple of blocks away from Xin Beitou Station, the trail leads you up through farms and bamboo to a peak with commands wide views over the city.

FAIRY SHRIMP at XIANGTIAN POOL (向天池的仙女蝦)

Xiangtian Pool is an ephemeral body of water in an old volcanic crater on the northwestern edge of Yangmingshan National Park. It can be seen after periods of heavy rain, and only then for a brief time. As if this didn’t make the pool intriguing enough, it is also home to a population of fairy shrimp which spawn in great numbers when the conditions are just right.

FUSHIPING HISTORIC TRAIL (富士平古道)

Fushiping Historic Trail offers hikers the opportunity to explore the quieter side of Yangmingshan National Park.

NEISHUANG CREEK and XIN ZHEN TOU PEAK (內雙溪/新圳頭山)

A short walk in the southeastern corner of Yangmingshan National Park. This trail would make the perfect picnic walk to beat the summer heat.

DENG FENG CANAL TRAIL (登峰圳步道)

A quiet and gentle stroll along some of the irrigation canals in the hills of Shilin District. This would make a great summer walk for those hoping to escape the city heat.

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)

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 HIKE – FENG GUI ZUI TO XIAOYOUKENG (北區稜線大縱走 – 風櫃嘴/頂山/石梯嶺山/小油坑)

The third installment of the TGH has you climbing to the highest peak inside Taipei City. Go on a clear day and your effort will be handsomely rewarded with 360-degree views of the surrounding area. As well as big views, this route also takes in some really pleasant forest and ridge scenery on the Mount Ding – Mount Shiti Trail.

TAIPEI GRAND HIKE – ERZIPING TO XIAOYOUKENG VIA DATUN SHAN (北區稜線大縱走 – 二子坪/大屯山/小油坑)

The second leg of the Taipei Grand Hike climbs some of the wilder peaks in the west of Yangmingshan National Park. This section starts from Erziping and takes in three peaks on the Datun Multi-Peak Trail before dipping down into the picturesque scenery of Dinghu. Then finishes by climbing along a stream to the steaming crater of Xioayoukeng.

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.

GOUYINQIN OLD TRAIL ALONG WEILUN CANAL (狗殷勤古道/尾崙水圳/平頂古圳步道)

Tucked away behind the National Palace Museum you’ll find the unassuming entrance to this trail. If you’ve eaten your fill of museum exhibits and choose to follow the old stone steps up the hill, then you will come face to face with one aspect of life in old Taiwan which is still very much alive. The historic waterways in this area have been supplying water to the farms here for generations, and what could be more soothing than walking alongside flowing water.

DATUN STREAM TRAIL LOOP (三板橋/竿尾崙山/小觀音山西北峰/大屯溪古道)

This loop trail takes you to a wilder edge of Yangmingshan Park that many visitors never see. The first section is a tough climb through quiet, dense forest. The mid section takes you scrambling from peak to peak through a maze of bamboo. And during the final section all your hard work is rewarded as you experience the sheer pleasure of following a delightful stream carving its way down through a luscious valley.

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.

PINGDING HISTORIC CANAL TRAIL (坪頂古圳步道)

Some pretty easy walking in some exceedingly picturesque surroundings. Ping Ding Old Canal cuts its way through a quiet corner of Yangmingshan park where you can find gently flowing water and terrace farming to enjoy.

MIANTIAN SHAN AND XIANG TIAN CRATER POOL (面天山/向天池)

Miantian shan trail offers an easy to follow path over some of Yangmingshan National Park’s western peaks. Go immediately after heavy rain in order to catch sight of the elusive xiang tian crater lake.

XIAOGUANYIN SHAN LOOP WALK (小觀音山O型縱走)

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.

QINGTIANGANG CIRCULAR TRAIL (擎天崗環形步道)

A gentle and incredibly scenic circular route around the famous, cow-grazed grasslands of Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park. This trail is accessible by public transport and should be ok for anyone who can handle some steps and an uneven walking surface. Make sure to come on a clear day, (when you can see Qixing Mountain peak from the city), in order to enjoy the views at their best.

JUANSI WATERFALL TRAIL to LENGSHUIKENG (絹絲瀑布/冷水坑)

A gentle and relaxing stroll beside a stream with plenty to enjoy. This walk will take you past a couple of historical remains, a charming waterfall, around a couple of interesting ponds, over Jingshan suspension bridge and finishes at Lengshuikeng Visitor Centre.