Qixing Mountain Trail

Qixing Mountain Trail (Qixingshan Trail) in Yangmingshan National Park is the standard day-hike route to Taipei’s highest peak, 1,120 m. The itinerary is short enough for a focused morning or afternoon outing, but the climb is steep in sections and the main line is built around stone steps.

The route is defined around two trailheads that most hikers use as a point-to-point option: Xiaoyoukeng for the main-peak line and Lengshuikeng for the east-peak line. You’ll typically choose the direction that matches your preferred ascent character, then return via the other trailhead as a common alternative.

Expect a volcanic landscape feel as you gain elevation: fumaroles and sulfur-steam activity near the summit zone, plus post-volcanic ground features along the way. Between the geothermal zones, the trail works its way through forested slopes.

A practical way to think about effort here is “steps first, then geology.” The described profile is mostly stone steps with steeper hits, and the total time on the order of a couple hours reflects that sustained climbing.

Typical route length falls in the ~7.5–7.8 km class (with some variations by exact line/connector choices), and most hikers finish in roughly 2 to 3.5 hours depending on pace and how long you linger at the higher sections.

Access from Taipei is usually handled by bus from MRT connections at Jiantan or Shilin, taking Bus S15 to either Xiaoyoukeng or Lengshuikeng stops. Trailhead facilities are limited, so plan to carry enough water and food for the hike window.

More information: Wikipedia, Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei: Hiking & Hot Springs, JINMIAN SHAN SUNRISE HIKE (金面山日出) - Taiwan Trails and Tales