Marvel at breathtaking views without breaking a sweat — Taipei’s five most popular hiking trails

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Want to enjoy sweeping mountain and sea vistas or captivating city nightlife? It usually takes a long and strenuous hike to reach those heights. Here are five popular nature trails in Taipei that allow visitors to experience lush greenery and awe-inspiring scenery — even without an all-day trek.

1. Hu Shan Hiking Trail
Hu Shan is one of the low-altitude mountains within the Four Beasts Forest Park, connecting with the Nangang Mountain Range behind the area to form a natural barrier on Taipei's southeastern side. At an elevation of 140 meters, it offers wide views, and its summit features a sundial that can be used to tell time by the sun. Fed by the Hu Shan Stream, the valley-like ecosystem here is also one of the best spots to observe diverse wildlife such as fireflies, small green frogs, and ferns, making it a great place for light hiking in the hills while enjoying ecological sights.

2. Xiang Shan Hiking Trail
The Xiang Shan Trail is a loop trail that starts from Xiang Shan MRT Station. Along the way, you’ll pass Zhongqiang Park, the Six Huge Rocks, the Photography Platform, the One-Line Sky, the Giant Rock Park, the Limestone Garden, and the Elephant-Themed Wall on the City Hospital Trail, before returning to Xiang Shan MRT Station. The surrounding area boasts rich ecology and diverse species, especially the variety of ferns on the mountainside, earning it the title of Taipei’s “Fern Diversity Ecological Classroom.”

3. Jiànjiàn Yán (Battleship Rock) Hiking Trail
Jiànjiàn Yán is located in the mountainous area just north of Shihpai Veterans General Hospital, at an elevation of 185.6 meters. The prominent rock formation standing tall among the rolling mountains resembles a ship at sea, hence its name. During the Japanese colonial period, it was grouped with U-Li’an Mountain, Danfeng Mountain, and Wu Jian Lian Mountain under the collective name of Wu Jian Lian Peak. The rocky summit serves as an ideal spot for rock climbing practice and is also a very popular hiking route.

4. Dàtóuwěishān (Big Tail Mountain) Hiking Trail
Dàtóuwěishān, with its steep terrain due to fault lines and limited development under water source protection policies, has preserved a rich and intact natural ecosystem. Starting from the Central Community Trailhead, hikers are greeted by a wide, flat gravel path flanked by towering trees, creating a cool and comfortable hike. At the summit, there’s an observation deck offering views of the Wulai River area and Yangmingshan.