✦ Taiwan has one of the highest densities of tall mountains in the world, and climbing these are a great way to experience the country from a different perspective ✦ We highlight six hikes near Taipei, picked by a resident hiker who’s covered these trails dozens of times, that are all reachable by public transport ✦ They offer diverse experiences ranging from a 20-minute stair-climb with skyline views to a half-day waterfall-and-temple trek
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TAIWAN HAS ONE of the thickest densities of high-altitude mountains in the world. With over 70% of the island covered in mountains, you could spend a lifetime here and still find trails you never knew existed.
I’ve spent the past five years exploring as many as I can. From casual forest walks through the old cypress groves of Alishan, to summiting Yu Shan – the tallest mountain on the island – for my 30th birthday, it never gets old.
But let’s be honest: I’m not scaling a 3,000-metre peak every other week.
What I love most about hiking in Taiwan is how accessible and humble it can be.
Sure, nearly getting blown off the country’s tallest mountain makes for a good story, but some of my most meaningful memories are simpler: hiking Sandiaoling with my sister, or showing friends from overseas the best alternative to Elephant Mountain.
If you’re visiting Taipei, you don’t need a car to get into nature – here are six of my favourite hikes, all reachable by MRT, gondola or local train from the city.
All photos: Gillian Shieh
Elephant Mountain
Nearest MRT: Xiangshan (Red Line) · Duration: 20–30 min · Difficulty: Easy–moderate
First, Elephant Mountain – because any list about Taipei hikes can’t not include the capital city’s most famous one. This is something of a bucket-list thing to do here because it’s easy to reach by public transport, and perfect to slot in between other sightseeing.
You’ll find it at the end of the red line at Xiangshan station, a quick 20–30 minute climb up seemingly endless stairs (there are around 600) that end in sweeping views of Taipei 101 and the Xinyi skyline.
My visiting friends always want to hike it with me, so at this point, I've probably climbed it more than 20 times. To me, it’s the equivalent of a power nap: short, energising, worth it every time.
For the best experience, plan your hike around sunset for incredible golden-hour views (it gets crowded though), or late at night for an underrated skyline panorama.
Tiger Mountain
Nearest MRT: Houshanpi (Blue Line) · Duration: 1–1.5 hrs · Difficulty: Moderate
If you’ve already hiked Elephant Mountain, try Tiger Mountain next. This 1–1.5 hour hike is part of the Four Beasts Mountains (Si Shou Shan): four trails, named Tiger, Leopard, Lion and Elephant, that wind through the hills between Xinyi and Nangang.
It’s less popular with tourists, so you'll mostly find local aunties and uncles getting their steps in on the well-marked paths.
The hike begins from Fengtian Temple, a short walk from Houshanpi MRT station, and is a mix of paved roads and stairs, with plenty of panoramic viewpoints – Taipei 101 included – and resting spots along the way.
Tiger Mountain is also, occasionally, the site of one of Taipei's unofficial temple raves – locals turn an empty Dao temple here into a dance floor every so often, with locations announced online just hours beforehand. If you happen to be around when a party’s on, it’s an unique way to combine a hike with a slice of the local party scene. Don’t plan a trip around it, though – these events are sporadic and sometimes shut down by police.
Jiantan Mountain
Nearest MRT: Jiantan (Red Line) · Duration: ~1.5 hrs round trip · Difficulty: Easy–moderate
For a different panorama, head to Jiantan Mountain, just north of the city. The trail starts right outside Jiantan MRT station and is a favourite among locals – when I was a child, my uncle and grandfather used to hike it every morning for cardio training.
It’s a steep climb up plenty of stairs before the route levels out onto paved paths. I usually end at Lao Di Fang (“Old Place”) Lookout, a convenient stop with clear views over Songshan Airport and northern Taipei.
The full round trip takes about 1.5 hours, with connecting trails if you want to keep going. Afterwards, head back down to Jiantan station and cross to Exit 1 – Shilin Night Market is a three-minute walk from there. (If you’re taking the train directly to the market, don’t get off at Shilin station – despite the name; it’s the wrong stop.)
Jinmianshan
Nearest MRT: Xihu (Brown Line) · Duration: 1–2 hrs · Difficulty: Challenging
Jinmianshan is one of my favourite hikes near Taipei – a challenging route with rock scrambles, tricky footing, rope-assisted sections and incredible views at the peak.
The trailhead is five minutes from Xihu MRT station, and it’s a 1–2 hour hike with a steep elevation gain through dusty – and sometimes muddy – terrain.
Bring water and gloves for the ropey sections. And in summer, start early – by 6am if you can – since there’s little tree cover and you’ll be baking from the sun and steaming from the humidity at once.
Yinhe Cave, via Maokong
Access: Taipei Zoo MRT + Maokong Gondola · Duration: Half-day · Difficulty: Moderate
For a proper mountain escape, head to Yinhe Cave in the hills south of Taipei. Take the metro to Taipei Zoo, then the Maokong Gondola to its final stop – a scenic ride worth setting aside half a day for.
From the gondola station, hike through the forest to Yinhe Cave, a misty waterfall cave with a temple built directly into the rock face – home to a Guanyin shrine alongside a shrine to Lu Dongbin, one of Taoism’s Eight Immortals. This is one of my favourite hikes near Taipei because of its mix of mountain scenery, cultural history and cinematic forest trails that you’d never expect to see just outside one of Asia’s largest cities.
Loop back down to Maokong afterwards for baozhong tea – a local specialty that’s a light oxidised oolong tea – and tea-flavoured ice cream. Visit in early spring for cherry and apricot blossoms along the way.
Sandiaoling
Nearest station: Sandiaoling (Pingxi Line) · Duration: 3–4 hrs (+1 hr to Shifen) · Difficulty: Moderate
Taiwan is famous for its waterfalls and rivers, but you won’t find that until you leave the city.
Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail, in Ruifang District on the historic Pingxi rail line, is my go-to recommendation for outdoorsy travellers. It packs in three waterfalls over a moderately challenging 7.1km, 3–4 hour stretch.
From Taipei Main Station, take the train to Sandiaoling Station (about an hour). You'll arrive at Shuoren Li, a small village beside the tracks – from there, just follow the signs to the trailhead.
The first stretch is visually stunning, passing all three waterfalls along natural paths and greenery. About 1.5 hours in, you’ll reach a crossroads where you can loop back or continue toward Dahua station. I’d recommend pushing on to Dahua, or extending the hike another hour to Shifen, where traditional street eats and sky lanterns await.
Beyond the city trail
So many people visit Taipei just for the street food and shopping, but Taiwan has one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the world – it’s home to over 400 butterfly species and a blend of subtropical rainforest, volcanic terrain and coral reef, all within a few hours of the capital.
Next time you’re in Taipei, step off the typical city trail and weave a hike into your itinerary. You won’t regret it.
Taipei hikes at a glance
Hike | Nearest MRT/station | Duration | Difficulty | Best for |
Elephant Mountain | Xiangshan (Red Line) | 20–30 min | Easy–moderate | Quick skyline views of Taipei 101 |
Tiger Mountain | Houshanpi (Blue Line) | 1–1.5 hrs | Moderate | Fewer crowds, temple culture |
Jiantan Mountain | Jiantan (Red Line) | ~1.5 hrs round trip | Easy–moderate | Plane-spotting at Songshan Airport |
Jinmianshan | Xihu (Brown Line) | 1–2 hrs | Challenging (ropes/scrambles) | Adventurous hikers, early starts |
Yinhe Cave (via Maokong) | Taipei Zoo + Maokong Gondola | Half-day | Moderate | Cliffside temple, tea afterwards |
Sandiaoling | Sandiaoling Station (Pingxi Line) | 3–4 hrs (+1 hr to Shifen) | Moderate | Waterfalls, full-day trip |
FAQs
What’s the easiest hike near Taipei?
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) is the most accessible – a 20–30 minute climb from Xiangshan MRT station to views of Taipei 101.
Can you hike near Taipei without a car?
Yes. All six hikes in this guide are reachable by MRT, the Maokong Gondola, or local train from Taipei Main Station.
Which Taipei-area hike has the best waterfalls?
Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail, in Ruifang District on the Pingxi rail line, passes three waterfalls over a 7.1km route – about 3–4 hours, or longer if you’re extending to Shifen.
How long does the hike to Yinhe Cave take?
Roughly half a day including the Maokong Gondola ride and the return route through the tea fields.
