If you’re looking for one of the best views of Taipei, especially with Taipei 101 right in front of you, Elephant Mountain, also known as Xiangshan, is an easy option. It’s well known, but it doesn’t feel overcomplicated or difficult to get to.
It’s also a relatively short hike, which makes it easy to fit into your itinerary. You don’t need to set aside a full day for it, but you still get that elevated, panoramic view of the city.
If you're planning to go to Elephant Mountain, here is a quick guide.
How to Get to Elephant Mountain
Getting to Elephant Mountain is pretty straightforward. The easiest way is to take the MRT to Xiangshan Station, which is on the Red Line. From there, it’s just a short walk to the trail entrance. The walk itself takes around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your pace. It goes through a quiet residential area before leading you to the start of the trail, which is clearly marked, so it’s hard to miss.
What to Expect at Elephant Mountain Trail
The hike is mostly made up of stairs, and it starts almost immediately once you enter the trail. Early on, you’ll reach a fork where you can choose between an easier path with shorter, smaller steps or a more challenging one with bigger steps. I opted for the latter, which felt a bit more intense right away, especially since you’re going uphill the entire time. There are a few rest areas along the way, which help break it up.
As you go higher, you’ll start to get partial views of the city, which makes the climb feel more rewarding. The main viewing deck is where most people stop, and it already gives you a clear view of Taipei 101 with the city spread out around it.
If you continue a bit further, you’ll reach the area with the large boulders, often referred to as the Six Giant Rocks. This is another popular photo spot and gives you a slightly higher and more open view. It’s not a long extension from the main deck, so it’s worth continuing a bit further if you have the energy.
After reaching the viewpoints, you can head back the same way you came, which is what most people do. There’s also an option to continue along the trail and loop around for more views, which I found out from a local, but I didn’t end up doing it myself. On the way down, I took the easier path, taking smaller steps, which felt much gentler on the knees.
Elephant Mountain is one of those spots that’s easy to fit into your plans but still feels worth the effort. Most people would recommend doing the hike around sunset, but that also means dealing with bigger crowds. I went during midday in January, and since it was still cold, the hike felt manageable, and the views were still really good.
It’s also not a technical trail, so you don’t need proper hiking gear to do it. I did it in my trusty Sambas and a flowy mini skirt, which probably says enough. Just make sure you’re wearing something comfortable, since it's still a lot of stairs.
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