Top 8 Adventurous Hikes in Taipei (2024)
Craving drop dead gorgeous views with a 15 minute hike? Done. Or maybe magnificent ocean and cities views upon reaching the summit? You got it. Discover the best trails right at your doorstep with these top 8 hikes in Taipei, Taiwan.
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One of the best parts of visiting or living in Taipei is that beautiful scenery is at your fingertips. Whether you’re in the mood for a beach, a hike, or hot springs — it’s usually just a short MRT ride away.
Born and bred in Alaska, I have a profound love and appreciation of hiking, so I was unbelievably excited for all the trails and hikes I would find around Taipei and Taiwan in general.
And let me tell ya – they never disappoint.
Whether you’re trying to get out of the city to decompress in some nature or to see some of the wonders of Taiwan – here are the top hikes in Taipei, Taiwan.
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Top 8 Hikes in Taipei
1. Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain)
Popular due to it’s fantastic views of Taipei 101 and the city skyline, Xiangshan is by far the most popular hike for any first-timer in Taipei. While I do recommend it, I personally was a little disappointed the first time I hiked it. But not for the reason you would think!
It takes roughly 15-20 mins and then you’ve made it to the top! I prefer longer hikes, so I was shocked to find out that we had finished only after 15 minutes. However, you do get an absolutely beautiful view of the city, so it’s a must-do on any itinerary in Taipei! And after getting over my initial shock, I came around to love the short, but sweet hike.
If you’re in the mood for a longer hike, you can continue to walk up and roam the ridge, there are maps for different trails, and spots for resting under shade and taking in the magnificent city views.
Best Time to hike it
I’ve hiked it during the morning, afternoon, sunset, and at night. Each has their unique pros, but I personally loved hiking it at sunset and at night.
It’s extremely popular to hike for the sunset, as the views are unbeatable so be prepared for crowds. But, if you prefer less crowds, then the morning or night is best!
How to get there
Hop on the Red Line all the way to Xiangshan MRT station, take exit 2, walk through the park, hang left, and follow the road for about 5 minutes. It will curve to the right and soon you’ll see the entrance to the hike on the left side of the road (it’s a staircase in the middle of trees).
2. Jinmianshan Trail
Another fantastic trail with a beautiful city view, Jinmianshan Trail is also easily accessible by MRT.
This hike is roughly 25-40 minutes one way, depending on how fast you’re walking. It has an expansive view of Taipei with plenty of places to rest at the top.
Many hikes in Taipei will involve a little bit of rock climbing with a rope – and this is one of them! As you get closer to the top there will be a section of smooth rock that you will need to climb up. Luckily, there are ropes you can hold on to as you ascend the mountain.
Some daredevils don’t use the rope and just walk up, but do so with caution! It can be slippery, especially if it’s been raining, but overall it’s safe and one of my favorite hikes.
Best time to hike it
Since this one is slightly longer and has steep areas, I recommend hiking this in the morning or later afternoon when the sun isn’t too strong. You’ll be shaded by trees in the beginning, but then towards the top you won’t have any shade and it can get quite hot.
No matter what time of the day it is, expect crowds – especially on the weekends!
How to get there
Take the Brown Line to Xihu MRT Station and walk about 10 minutes north to the trailhead.
3. Qixingshan Trail
I’m not into gatekeeping and I’m not gonna start now! This is truly, by far, the most incredible hike in Taipei. I f*cking LOVED it (excuse my french, but it is necessary here). To me, it has all the essentials of what makes a hike a hike.
Gorgeous views of the northwest coast and the entirety of Taipei to the east, not too crowded – passing a few people every few minutes, and it takes at least 40 minutes to an hour to get to the top.
Once you’ve reached the summit, it’s truly the most breathtaking view. You genuinely feel like you’re at the tippy top of Taiwan and can see the entire coast around you – it’s absolutely beautiful and I cannot recommend this hike enough!!
Best time to hike it
Due to the length, the early morning or early afternoon is best. I like to avoid peak daylight hours as it gets quite toasty when hiking. Be sure to go on a clear day so the well-worth it view isn’t hiding behind the clouds!
How to get there
There are a few different ways to get here, my friend and I met at the Shilin MRT Station and took an Uber from there. However, we did end up getting lost and ended up hiking it the opposite way most people do, which was hilarious in and of itself.
If you want to be slightly more prepared than my friend and I, you can use Google Maps to find the correct bus (usually S8 or S9) to take you to the correct bus stop where the trail actually starts, from whichever MRT station is best for you (Beitou or Shilin).
When you see a stone trail going up into the mountain with sulfur gas floating out of the rocks from natural hot springs to the left, you’ve met the trailhead.
Enjoy this magnificent hike!!
4. Juansi Falls Trail
A more relaxing hike with creeks running along the trail, an insta-worthy bridge crossing, and a waterfall for you to discover, the Juansi Falls Trail is perfect for anyone who prefers a less intense hike while immersing themselves in the beautiful nature that is Taiwan.
This hike is more of a DIY for a trail, you can explore the area in many different ways and follow different trails leading you to various nature spots like the waterfall, a pond, and the bridge.
It’s perfect for spending an entire day (or half day) surrounded in nature!
Best time to hike it
Since you can easily find shade and leisurely walk the trails, any time of day is good. Keep in mind there will be crowds on the weekends (around 11am and onward).
How to get there
Depending on where you’re coming from, there are multiple buses that can take you there. Some include: 303 and S15, the best way to check is using Google Maps the day of. You can also easily use a taxi or Uber to bring you to the trailhead!
5. Yinghanling Trail
This is a slightly more challenging hike, but it has plenty of rest stops and boulders strategically placed with words of encouragement (be sure to download Google Translate so you can take a photo of them to see what they say).
People of all ages climb it, so don’t feel too intimidated! It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top from my memory. Once you reach the peak, you’ll get a gorgeous view of Tamsui from across the river and northern Taipei.
Best time to hike it
Luckily, this hike will give you shade for the majority of the time, so anytime is a great time to go.
Although the sunset will be behind you, it’s still a beautiful time to go! The clouds turn pink and you get the warm sunlight on Tamsui and northern Taipei.
Always be sure to check the weather before you go! When my friends and I went, we reached the top and found ourselves smack in the middle of a cloud that didn’t leave haha, we got a beautiful 360â—¦ white view.
How to get there
Take the Orange Line all the way to the end to Luzhou MRT Station (the Orange Line splits into two so make sure you’re going in the right direction), from there you can exit and take a taxi or Uber to the trailhead. If you prefer public transportation, hop on bus O20 and you’ll arrive around 30 minutes later.
6. Yangming Park
While Yangming Park is more of a leisurely stroll in the mountains rather than a hike, you’ll come across beautiful white lilies, cherry blossoms, multiple waterfalls, a flower clock, and then some – it’s giving Alice in Taiwanland and it’s joyful.
Best time to hike it
I would say the morning and later afternoon are the best times as there isn’t much shade while walking around. Be prepared to walk around for at least 2 hours if not more! There’s a lot to stumble across and discover 🙂
How to get there
Take the Red Line to Beitou and hop on the S9 bus, you should arrive around 30 minutes later!
7. Qingtiangang Grassland
Craving the outdoors, but not an inclined trek? As the name suggests, come to the Qingtiangang Grassland to relax, stroll, and maybe even have a little picnic in the large field in the mountains.
With hills surrounding you, follow the path through the grasslands to enjoy different views, bask in the scenery and fresh air, and run into a Taiwanese cow or two. If it’s a clear day, you also might be lucky enough to see Taipei 101 from here!
Best time to hike it
The morning or later afternoon is the best time as the heat won’t be too strong.
How to get there
Hop on the Red Line to Shilin MRT Station. From there, take the S15 bus all the way to the top (roughly 45 minutes)!
8. Yinhe Cave
Truly one of the most unique hikes you can do in Taipei, is the Yinhe Cave Hiking Trail.
Ascend the beautiful jungle trail with some steep stairs, but know the temple at the top with the waterfall cascading down next to it is only a meer 20-ish minutes away. Similar to Xiangshan, you can continue walking up to reach Maokong to have a longer hike – which I highly recommend doing!
In Maokong, you can find traditional tea houses offering scrumptious taiwanese food and tea. Plus, a few ice cream shops! It’s the perfect way to treat yourself after a long day of hiking.
And don’t worry about hiking down the mountain, the gondola will take your tired legs and full tummy down to the Taipei Zoo MRT Station!
best time to hike it
Anytime is great to hike it, but I recommend starting earlier if you want to enjoy Yinhe Cave as well as take advantage of the proximity of Maokong.
What to Wear
Taiwan has a humid climate, so layers is never a bad thing!
For hiking at any time of the day during the summer, you’ll find me with:
- shorts (athletic or biker shorts)
- sports bra
- loose crop top/t-shirt
- socks
- tennis shoes
If it’s fall or winter time, and it’s actually a cold day, it will often be more chilly as you continue to climb up the mountains (elevation, who would’ve thunk?), so I do recommend wearing a sweater and bringing a rain jacket, just in case.
However, during fall (and sometimes even winter) there can still be some hot days, so be sure to check the weather because you might want to dress more for summer time.
In any case, if it’s a cooler day, you’ll see me wearing:
- leggings
- sports bra
- loose crop top/t-shirt
- sweater
- rain jacket
- socks
- tennis shoes
I’ve never hiked a mountain in Taiwan where I felt I needed hiking boots. Often the paths are made for you with stone and it’s never been too difficult, so I’ve always hiked with my tennis shoes and that worked great for me.
However, if you’re planning on hiking one of the big boys such as Yushan – then I would absolutely recommend wearing hiking boots.
What to Bring
With any hike I have a few staples that I won’t leave the house without. Here they are:
- a small backpack like this one
- SPF 30+ sunscreen
- snacks (hard boiled eggs, granola bar, fruit, etc.)
- water bottle (at least 2 liters)
- phone, keys, wallet, MRT card
I always like to hike with agua, snacks, and sunscreen. Taking in the views at the top with your friends and some food, maybe even a celebratory beer or two, is just a freakin ~vibe~ okay? Can’t recommend it enough!
There you have it, I hope this guide has you feeling prepped and excited for any (and all!) of the hikes in Taipei. And hopefully it sparks your hiking wanderlust to help you discover all that Taiwan has to offer.
If you’re planning a trip to this unique city, be sure to check out my itinerary to have the best 5 days in Taipei (food, drinks, and activities all included!).
happy trails my friends ♥