Tiger Mountain(虎山) is the second subject of three in this series of articles on hiking Taipei, Taiwan’s Four Beasts Mountains (四獸山).
Tiger Mountain is the most northern of the Four Beasts Mountains and the easiest to get to. It’s not the easiest to find (that would be Elephant Mountain) but if you have transportation, it’s an easy walk along a well kept, level trail.
All along the trail are stunning views of Taipei 101, Taipei City, and Nangang.
"Taiwan's Tower of Babel" Viewed from Tiger Mountain.
Let me tell you a little more about the Four Beasts Mountains before I go further. The mountains are located to the east of Taipei City in Taiwan. They’re named after four animals that they supposedly resemble: Tiger Mountain (虎山), Elephant Mountain (象山), Leopard Mountain (豹山) and Lion Mountain (獅山). The highest point you can go in the range is called 9-5 Peak (Jiuwufeng – 九五峯). They also have a fantastic trail system that’s the subject of this three part series.
If you’re paying attention, you might have noticed that I’m writing a three part series on this area. “Huh? Why a three part series on four mountains?” you might be thinking.
That’s because Leopard and Lion Mountains don’t really have any trails or reasons to visit them. My three subjects are 9-5 Peak, Tiger Mountain and Elephant Mountain. Have a look at this map and you’ll understand.
Tiger Mountain trail marker.
Tiger Mountain is physically the easiest to walk of the three main mountains, but you’ll need transportation to get there. You can drive right up to the trail head and then it’s an level walk along a ridge line to the first view point. The only real difficulty is finding the road that leads to it… no worries! Here’s a Google map. You could also follow the directions at the bottom of this page and walk up in about 3o minutes.
Tiger Mountain hiking trail.
Like the 9-5 Peak trail and Elephant Mountain, Tiger Mountain has stunning views of Taipei 101 and Taipei City. The first platform is a 5 minute walk from the trail head. The second is about 10 minutes further and requires the navigation of a sturdy, but home-made and scary-looking staircase.
Tiger Mountain view point.
The one staircase on Tiger Mountain can be a little tricky.
Unlike the others, Tiger Mountain is not lit at night. Be sure to take a flashlight if you plan to take some sunset or night time photos of Taipei 101.
The view of Taipei 101 and Taipei City from Tiger Mountain.
Also check out The Daily Bubble Tea’s post on the same area.
Here is a big photo of a map of the trails.
Below is a Google Map of the area with the trails roughly marked off. Feel free to add photos or information to it. Be sure to click “VIEW LARGER MAP” for a larger image and much, much more specific information:
View Larger Map
This is part two of a three part series on hiking the Four Beasts Mountain trails. Part one is on 9-5 Peak and part three in on Elephant Mountain.
Thanks,
-neil
How to get there:
You can take bus Blue 10, 257, 263, or 286 to the Fude Elementary School , then take Lane 251 of Fude Street; or take the MRT Bannan (Blue) Line to Houshanpi Station and then take bus 207 or 263 to Fengtian (Fongtian) Temple. Then follow Lane 221 or 251 of Fude Street.
[...] trail system includes Tiger (虎山), Elephant (象山), Leopard (豹山) and Lion (獅山) Mountains and is very easily reached from [...]
Nice pics Neil. Thanks for once again reminding me how long it’s been since I’ve gone hiking in Taipei.
Absolutely stunning. I’m bookmarking these so I remember to try these hikes next time I’m in Taiwan!
Thanks Andy! Like I said, these mountains are some of my favorites in Taiwan and they’re sooo accessible! Check back in a few days and I’ll have the last of the series up: It’s on Elephant Mountain, the most popular and the closet to Taipei 101.
[...] Hiking the Four Beasts Mountains (四獸山) – Elephant Mountain (象山) 15 05 2009 Elephant Mountain (象山) is the most famous of the “Four Beasts Mountains (四獸山)” of Taipei, Taiwan and the most easily accessible. It’s the third and last article in my series about hiking the Four Beasts Mountains. Part one is on 9-5 Peak (Jiuwufeng – 九五峯), and part two is on Tiger Mountain (虎山). [...]
Oh My God, Those pictures are awsome!!
Hey, I promise to go take a tour there one day :)
Im a big hiker my self, as a complementary thing i will add this link to my website
http://www.travelmastery.com
Thank you :)
I loved going up there when I was in Taipei. I’m surprised not many more locals new about that place. When I asked they said they didn’t know. I really think it’s the best view of Taipei and it’s free! It’s just the hike can be tough for some but so worth it.
[...] other posts on the Four Beast Mountains. There’s the famous Elephant Mountain, the quieter Tiger Mountain, and the highest of the bunch, 9-5 [...]
Hi, I would like to check if there is any difficulty going to Tiger Mountain during the New Year Eve? Will there be any traffic jam? I am afraid there will have a lot of people going to the 3 mountains for photography and having difficulty going up and coming down. Do you went to any of the 3 mountains during new year eve? I am from Singapore and will be travelling there so I want to get more information before going there because I do not want to miss the new year eve count down. And I want to photograph Taipei 101 fireworks.
Thanks & Regards
Gary Phoon
Hi Gary,
Yes, it’s VERY crowded on New Years Eve. People start setting up as early as 12 hours before midnight. I’ve never actually gone up there then, because of the crowds. I honestly don’t know what to tell you, other than to set up early.
Thanks Neil for the advise. Then I don’t plan to go up during New Year Eve. Just stay around Taipei 101 to shoot a close up shots and enjoying the celebration with Taiwan people there. \ ( ^ 0 ^ ) /
Hi Neil,
What if I don’t have a vehicle, is it a long walk to get to the trail head of Tiger Mountain? Have you tried it? Mind sharing it with us as well? Will be going there very soon. TIA.
Hi Jay, The way I wrote that is actually a little deceptive (I’ll change it soon). It’s not that hard to walk to the trail head. Click on the map at the bottom of the post and it will tell you how to get to several trailheads, including the one for Tiger Mountain. What I meant by “needing your own transportation” is that there is a way to visit Tiger Mountain by driving and parking up on the mountain. If this is done, you wouldn’t have to walk up any steps. That said, it’s a lot more rewarding to walk the stairs and see more of the mountain, and it’s not too hard to do by public transportation.