The most popular Taipei hike on the internet. We need to give our two cents on the Elephant Mountain hike. Read on for a detailed overview and awesome pics on the Elephant Mountain hike in Taipei! Get ready to climb some stairs!
Hiking Elephant Mountain isn’t the only hike to do in Taipei. In fact, there are many hikes and better yet, so much good food. Check out our post on 15 things to do in Taipei and get your fill of this amazing city!
How to Get to the Elephant Mountain Trailhead
From Xiangshan Station (Red Line MRT) take Exit 2 and head towards the park right outside the station. Follow the Xinyi Road to the end of Xiangshan park and turn left (Sanli Park will be on your right) and follow that road until it ends and turn right. The Elephant Mountain trailhead will be just ahead on your left.
Hiking Elephant Mountain
We began the climb at 17:20 (5:20 pm). Sunset was about 50 minutes away. To say it was crowded is an understatement. We did go at sunset and we did expect a crowd. But we figured since it was a Monday and school was back in session that we’d have a little more luck. Can’t imagine what the crowds are like on a weekend sunset hike. But don’t let the busyness deter you from this awesome trek!
The crowds aside, this hike is a must. It’s all about that view of Taipei and it’s so worth it. Prepare for the stairs that are, like every hike in Taipei it seems, straight up. It’s a real burner but thankfully a short one; only a quarter mile (400m) to the viewpoint you see in every awesome picture of Taipei. We sort of claimed a spot which gave us a decent view of Taipei 101 and the sunset.
However, the most popular spot of the night was a rock we like to call “photo rock”. The line started forming for pictures before we arrived and kept forming for hours. It was endless. We’re sure it kept going long after we left.
If crowds really aren’t your thing and you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxing experience, try to come early in the morning or during the day. If you’re going up during the day, just be prepared to face the Taiwanese sun, especially in the summer, and have sunblock at the ready!
Taipei at Night
This picture is the real reason we made this hike. Well, we also like hiking. But we loved sitting atop Elephant Mountain at night and taking in neon Taipei. It was awesome!
Once the sun had set and the crowds somewhat dispersed, we waited for some great spots to take night shots of Taipei. Our favorite spot was further up past the rocks and to the left where there is a half-covered platform. Here, there are flat railings for you to place your camera (if you don’t have a tripod) and get the perfect night shot of Taipei 101!
Interested in more views of Taipei? Try going to the Taipei 101 observatory! Don’t let a fear of heights deter you from this unique experience!
Summary of Elephant Mountain and Best Views of Taipei 101
Overall, this hike was very short and very sweet but if you’re looking for a little bit more distance in your hiking then we suggest pairing this hike with waterfalls and temples on the Neihu hike. Make sure to check it out when in Taipei.
Happy travels!
Have you hiked Elephant Mountain? Share your experience in the comments below!
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