Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) Hiking Trail

Elephant Mountain, or Xiangshan, is the hill that gives Taipei its most famous view. It rises in the south-east of the Xinyi District, close to the skyscrapers, and takes its name from its resemblance to an elephant. It is part of the Nangang mountain system, and the trail up its flank has become a ritual for visitors who want to see Taipei 101 rising above the city from almost eye level.

The hike is short but steep. The trail itself is about 1.5 kilometres, and the full route is around 2.3 kilometres, climbing to 183 metres; the tourism office suggests allowing around an hour and forty minutes for the whole walk, though many people simply climb to the main viewpoints and come back down. Information boards along the route explain the local environment. The sandstone cliffs and slopes are home to many kinds of fern, including tree ferns, and the hill supports a good range of birds and other wildlife.

The best-known stop is the Six Giant Rocks, a group of large, oddly shaped boulders that locals call Laolaixia. Climb onto the rocks (carefully) for the classic photograph of Taipei 101 and the surrounding towers of Xinyi. From the higher points you can look across the whole Taipei Basin, and the ridge continues towards Zhongqiang Park, which makes the route popular with locals for an evening walk. The tourism office singles out sunrise over Taipei 101 as a highlight, and dusk, when the city lights come on, is equally popular.

The trail is open 24 hours and free. Go early in the morning in summer to avoid the worst of the heat and humidity, and bring plenty of water, as the climb is steep. Wear shoes with good grip, since paths on any hillside can be slippery after rain. At sunset the viewpoints and the rocks can be crowded, so arrive a little earlier to find a spot, and bring a torch or phone light for the descent after dark. The walk suits reasonably fit adults and older children, but the steep climb makes it unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The nearest station is Xiangshan on the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) Line, and the trail starts within walking distance of the station. Taipei 101 and the Xinyi shopping district are close by, so the hike combines well with a visit to the observatory or dinner in Xinyi afterwards.