Taipei Hikes

Hiking at Xiao You Keng

Famous for its fumaroles, there are numerous extended hikes possible to and from Xiaoyoukeng (map boards available along trails).
a: 台北市陽明山國家公園

Wuliao Jian Hiking Trail

One of the finest day hikes near Taipei. Wuliao Jian is similar to Xiaozi Shan Trail in that it has a number of roped ridge areas. Some areas also require ropes to get up and down some very steep (and high) slopes. Make sure you buy a pair of (cheap) white cloth gloves from the store at the start of the trail, these will help protect your hands when using the ropes. The full route is aorund 7km, with hiking time around 5 hours (or more).
a: 新北市三峽區大埔路

Ping Ding Old Canal Trail hike

This trail is an easy walk through lush forest, along the Ping Ding Old Canal and past local citrus farms. The Canal continues to be used by local farmers for irrigation. The walk takes about 2 hours and can be made longer with numerous canals and tracks crisscrossing throughout the area.
a: 台北市善路三段

Elephant Mountain / Xiang Shan

Elephant Mountain (Xiang Shan) Trail offers the best close up views of Taipei 101, as well views over eastern downtown Taipei. The trail can be completed in around 2 hours but allow yourself more time to take in the stunning views. At the end of the trail, you can either take a bus or walk back to Xinyi District. a: 台北市信義區

Xiaozi Shan Trail

This is one of the best hikes in the Taipei area and a great place to spend half a day or more climbing the peaks (including Cimu Feng 慈母峰 and Xiaozi Shan 孝子山), none of which are difficult unless you are afraid of heights. Stairs carved into rock and metal ladders help you get to the top. The walk begins next to the Pingxi town centre and there are map boards and markers along the walk. a: 台灣新北市平溪

Jiantan Trail

This is one of the most convenient walks to do in Taipei and on a clear day offers great views of the Keelung River, downtown Taipei and surrounding mountains, as well as Shilin and Yangmingshan. The walk begins opposite Taipei Metro – Jiantan Station, trails are paved and clearly marked. It is possible to do a loop on the red and yellow trails (which takes around 1 – 2 hours) as well as link up with other trails east toward Neihu. (Map boards are present at the start and along many of the paths)
a: 劍潭站

Tianmu Trail

This popular path runs mostly uphill (approximately 2.6 km) to the Chinese Cultural University. The trail begins at the top end of Zhongshan north Road (section 7) and consists of mostly paved stairs. The path flattens out around halfway and offers views of Tianmu and Yangming Shan National Park, and sometimes Formosan Macaques. Another option to finishing the walk is to return back to Tianmu along a much lesser used path (follow the turn off sign) past the attractive Fengcui Waterfall and then back to Tianmu via some quiet roads. a: 士林中山路7段