Hiking: Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan in Taipei
Part of the Taipei travel guide — see every topic in All Taipei Guides.
Taipei sits in a basin with green mountains on every side. This means you can leave the city streets and be on a forest trail in less than an hour. Some hikes are short and steep, with views of Taipei 101. Others climb old volcanoes with steam vents and grassland. Most trails have clear steps and signs. Bring water, because the weather is warm and humid for much of the year.
Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain, or Xiangshan, is the most famous short hike in Taipei. Take the red line to Xiangshan station, the last stop. The trailhead is a short walk away. The path is almost all stone stairs, steep but short, and most people reach the main viewpoint in 20 to 30 minutes. From the top you see Taipei 101 rising above the city, very close. Many people come for sunset and stay to see the city lights. It gets busy at that time, so arrive early for a good spot. There are several big rocks where people take photos.
Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan National Park lies just north of the city. It is a volcanic area with hot springs, steam vents and wide grassy hills. The highest peak, Qixing Shan, is about 1,120 metres high, and a trail leads to the top. At Xiaoyoukeng you can see yellow sulphur rocks and smoking vents beside the path. Qingtiangang is an open grassland where cattle graze. In spring, flowers bloom across the park: cherry blossoms in February and March, and white calla lilies at Zhuzihu from about March to May. Buses go to the park from Jiantan MRT station and from Taipei Main Station.
Maokong and the gondola
Maokong is a hill area in the south of the city, known for tea farms. The easy way up is the Maokong Gondola, which starts next to Taipei Zoo station on the brown line. The ride is about 4 kilometres long and crosses green valleys. Some cabins have glass floors. At the top, there are walking paths, small trails and tea houses with views over Taipei. Many people come in the evening to drink tea and watch the city lights. The gondola closes for maintenance on some days and in bad weather, so check before you go. You can also hike up on forest paths.
More trails near the city
The Four Beasts trails, near Elephant Mountain, link four small peaks. You can walk from one to the next for a longer half-day hike. Jinmianshan in Neihu is a short climb with large rocks and good views. On the northeast coast, outside the city, Teapot Mountain near Jinguashi gives views of the sea and old mining hills. Many trails in Taipei are well built, with steps, signs and rest areas. Weekday mornings are quiet. On weekends, local hiking groups fill the popular paths. Download an offline map before you go, because signal can be weak in valleys.
Weather and safety
Taipei is hot and humid from May to September. Hike early in the morning in summer, and carry more water than you think you need. Afternoon storms are common in summer, so watch the sky. Typhoons can arrive from about July to October; do not hike when a typhoon warning is in place. The best hiking months are October to December and March to April, when it is cooler and drier. Wear shoes with good grip, because stone steps get slippery in rain. Mosquitoes are common in forest areas, so bring insect spray. Tell someone your plan on longer hikes.
Hiking: Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan at a glance
| Getting there | Elephant Mountain: Xiangshan MRT (red) · Yangmingshan: bus from Jiantan MRT |
|---|---|
| Hours | Trails open all day; Maokong Gondola has set hours — check before you go |
| Cost | Trails free; gondola fare is low and EasyCard works |
| Best time | October–December and March–April; early morning in summer |
| Elephant Mountain climb | About 20–30 min of steep stairs |