Elephant Mountain (aka Nangang District Hiking Trail)

Welcome, adventurous travelers, to the base of Xiangshan, internationally known as Elephant Mountain. Located mere minutes from the hyper-modern Xinyi District, this peak is a prime example of Taipei's extraordinary integration…

Exiting the Xiangshan MRT station (Exit 2), our journey begins with a brief, pleasant walk through Xiangshan Park (historically known as Zhongqiang Park). Observe the magnificent, ancient banyan trees casting wide, cooling…

After approximately ten to fifteen minutes of rigorous climbing, your burning calves will be rewarded as you reach the first major viewing platform. This wooden deck juts out from the mountainside, offering your first…

Pressing further upward, we arrive at the most iconic geological feature of the trail: the Six Giant Rocks, or Liujushi. These massive sandstone boulders rest precariously on the steep slope, looking as if they were dropped by a…

If you take the left fork just past the giant rocks, the trail leads toward a fascinating geological formation known as Yixiantian, which translates to 'A Thread of Sky'. The path funnels you between two sheer, towering cliff…

Returning to the main path and conquering the final stretch of stairs brings us to the upper summit pavilion. Here, you will find a traditional wooden pavilion where hikers rest, stretch, and share snacks. …

As evening approaches, the character of the mountain transforms entirely. While descending, we witness why this trail is perhaps most famous at dusk. …

Our rigorous journey up and down Elephant Mountain is complete. This trail perfectly encapsulates the geographic blessing of Taipei: a thriving, high-tech metropolis cradled in a lush, volcanic basin. …