I often get people asking for good day trip hikes to do in and around Taipei so I thought I’d write about my own top 5. They’re in no particular order and each one is very different and in terms of terrain and difficulty. All can be done in a day by public transport with the exception of Beichatianshan.
1. Huang Di Dian 皇帝殿
This one is a great ridge walk that starts in the small town of Shiding, east of Taipei. The beginning starts with a deceptively boring climb up some stones steps. At the top of these steps the hike gets a lot tougher and a lot more exciting with a series ladders, ropes and chains to help you clamber you’re way over the knife like ridge. It’s easily accessed by public transport via the ominously number 666 bus from Jingmei and Mucha MRT stations.
2. The Four Beasts 四獸山
Leopard, Lion, Elephant and Tiger make up the four beasts in the Xinyi District of Taipei with the latter two offering the best views of Taipei 101 and the rest of the city. The paths in this area and mostly paved, very well signposted with map boards everywhere and they are lit at night making it a very accessible place to hike. It would be difficult to recommend a route as there are too many paths to give a detailed description, so my advice would to be to simply go and explore! There are loads of shrines, temples, gardens, gyms, peaks to find and get lost around. Nearest MRT is the City Hall Station.
3. Bei Cha Tian Shan 北插天山
The toughest of the hikes mentioned here. Given that Beichatian can be done in a day from Taipei, it is incredibly remote and feels very much like a high mountain trek. There are quite a few starting points. My two favourites are from Manyueyuan, a long hike that can be done in loop (but doesn’t have to be) and Xiao Wulai, which is shorter and passes through a groove of giant redwoods. Set off early for this hike to be sure of getting down before nightfall! Not much in the way of useful public transport for both of these hikes unfortunately.
4. Wu Liao Jian 五寮尖
Another very popular ridge hike and like Huangdidain, this one is not for the faint-hearted! The highlight of the hike is the section of exposed ridge that hikers must lower themselves down via a fixed rope. Save this one for a dry, non-windy day. To get there by public transport take the MRT to Yongning Station and then get a taxi to the trailhead (about 200NT) which is by the Hezuo Bridge 合作橋. (See the map on the link)
5. Qi Xing Shan 七星山
The highest peak in Yangmingshan, Qixingshan offers spectacular views of the Taipei Basin and the north coast. I prefer to start this one at Xiaoyoukeng, a huge crater on the side of the mountain that spews out steam and sulphur however if you’re going by public transport, the best place to start is at the visitors centre where you can pick up free maps of the trail. Take the MRT to Beitou Station and then the Little 9 (小9) to the Centre.
Enjoy!
Difficult to argue with those.
Maybe the Xiaozi, Cimu, Stinky Head route in Pingxi?
I was going to add that one, but decided that with Huangdidian being so close, I should add something from a different area.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by David Reid, Stuart Dawson. Stuart Dawson said: Taipei Top Five Day Hikes: http://wp.me/pG0xF-9D […]
which one is harder, wuliajian or hwandidian. thanks 🙂
by the way. keep up the great work.
Ed
Wuliaojian is perhaps a little bit harder, but not by much.
Great Stu,
I’ve read almost all your post. Such a cool and informative website. Nice photography too.
Keep it up!
Louw
Thanks, I’m glad you found it useful!
Hey Stu!!! Your pictures are awesome!!! I’m a student in Malaysia and I’m thinking of going hiking in Taiwan in Nov 2011. Could I ask you for more advice? My email is hwayimin@gmail.com.
Thank you very much!!! 🙂
i’m thinking of going hiking in Taiwan in Nov 2
Anyone want to hike with me on March 11, 12, or 13? I can do day or overnight trips.
Thanks
Depending on my schedule I may be able to do a day hike on the 13th.
I will be staying in Taipei with business in Longtan.
Thank you for responding to me. I will be coming back from Taroko Gorge National Park on Tues. I do not think I will have time to hike that day. However, I am hoping to go to Yangming Park on Wed. March 14. Perhaps you will be able to join me then I will be staying at the campus hotel of Ming Chuan University in Taipei.
[…] Trail, which was originally built to allow fishermen to carry their catch to mountain markets. More strenuous hikes are available for those in search of backcountry experiences or who just want to view […]
[…] mehrere Hiking Routen direkt im Stadtgebiet von Taipei hat. (Tolle Tipps für Routen gibt es auf Hiking Taiwan) Das heißt, man kann sich in die Metro setzen und bis an den Bergrand fahren und los geht’s. Das […]
Good job. I would love to hike there. But can’t. So I just read about you yanks having a good time. Remember to leave no trace. Don’t be a wanker.
We we will be traveling to Taipei with a 1 year old. Would you have any recommendations for day trip hikes that are good but would be reasonable to backpack carry a child.
Hi. Anything up Yangmingshan would b ok.
Hi! Will anyone be in Taipei on the 11th and 13th of March? Thinking of doing a hike but would like some company. Thanks.
Hey there! Will anyone be available to do a day hike or weekend hike between the 8th and 14th of March? I’ll be visiting from out of town. Thank you.
[…] Taiwan has some really good information about the best hiking trails in Taipei. However if like us, time is limited I would definitely recommend taking on the Four Beasts which […]
Hi! I’ll be in Taipei this coming weekend, 16-18 December 2016. Is there any chance that anyone would be hiking any of these mountains on any of those dates? I’d like to join you in your hike. Thanks. – Ven
Hi. Thanks very much for the tips! They look great.
I will be in Taipei at the end of November. I am trying to understand what the weather will be like when you get up onto some of these walks. Could you give some tips? Are they likely all do-able at the end of November or will some of them be under snow?
Thanks in advance.
Non of them will have snow. November is usually a great time to be out hiking around Taipei!
Great, thanks!
Distance and elevation gain on these hikes would be helpful!