Hiking Huang Di Dian 皇帝殿 this past weekend was one of the best day trips I’ve been on in Taiwan. Just about 20 minutes from Taipei, this hike is one that shouldn’t be missed.
A perfect 360 view awaited us at the end.
The trail starts in a small parking lot next to the beautiful town of ShiDing 石碇.
One of the most obvious trail heads in Taiwan also has a welcoming lion.
Then up some steps…
The beginning of the Huangdi Dian 皇帝殿 trail has LOTS of steps.
Then up some more steps…
The beginning of the Huangdi Dian 皇帝殿 trail has LOTS of steps.
Then up some more steps…
…There’s about a hour’s worth of straight-up-the-hill concrete steps… A bit of a bummer way to start a great hike, but it’s worth it when you get to the top.
Once you get to the proper trail, the jungle envelopes you and the mud and tree roots can get a bit slippery.
The trail gets a bit more complicated (and fun) once you pass the staircases.
But this is the stuff we love! There are definitely opportunities for climbing and for some light rope work.
The trail get a bit more complicated (and fun) once you pass the staircases.
The ropes and ladders that we encountered were all well maintained.
I don't recommend using the rope ladders as sliding boards.
Once you get to the the main ridge line, you have constant, beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and even a glimpse or two back towards Taipei.
The Huang Di Dian 皇帝殿 trail has about an hour of these amazing views.
Phil was so happy, he nearly cried.
There was a nice new rope handrail along the more dangerous ridges. In a way, I feel that this takes something from the good feeling of being “way out there” but I guess it’s good for safety.
Yes, more stunning views and more deadly drops.
Beware of the Kung-Fu guy that you have to fight on one of the razorbacks.
Besides the chain-rope ladders. The one climb had this heavy duty chain instead of a rope! We couldn’t figure out why they did it this way, but it didn’t matter too much.
The chain ladder ropes made sense, but we really couldn't figure out why they put this heavy chain on one of the climbs.
100 meter drop on either side! Whoo Hoo!!!
If you want the practicalities of how to get there, look a Stu Dawson’s Hiking Taiwan.
Pashan also has some practicalities and a nice post on the same trail.
Cheers,
-neil
Beautiful day for it. I haven’t done any hiking in a looooong while – it must be over a year since I last got out onto some trails.
Looks like a great trail!
Neil,
It’s really great that u enjoy the mountains of Taiwan!
This is one of ur best day trips u’ve been on in Taiwan…^_^..it’s my pleasure to read this article!
Have u ever been hiking in “Teapot mountain”? It’s in 金瓜石(Jinguashi) near northern coast of Taiwan. U could get there easily by motercycle.
Here are some photos in my Album~ album.blog.yam.com/beautyblog
. u should not miss it, either! The view is also fantastic and u would have lot’s of fun there!
Thanks everyone!
Liz, I haven’t been there, but it sounds great. The link you gave doesn’t work, could you give it again? I’d like to check it out. I’d really like to do some of the hikes that are along the coast this Summer, maybe we’ll start with that one!
Terrific shots there Neil especially the 6th from top. That one really put me right in that place. and the kung-fu guy LOL thanks for the the warning, I shall sharpen my tai-chi skills before taking that hike :P
Thanks for all the nice comments Ashish!
Here’s my Album. Hope this time it can work.
http://album.blog.yam.com/beautyblog
There are several mountains u could see the ocean near Teapot mt.(=Mt. Wuerchahu).
Including “燦光寮山”, “半平山” , “雞籠山/基隆山”(Keeleng mt., also named “Big-bali Beauty mt.” u can see it in the 4th photo in my Teapot mt. album”, there’s a pregnat woman lies along the northern coast. If u stand on the “Gold Temple” trail in rainy day and look at the Keeleng mt., u would see an amazing scenery…tyr it!)
Imformation about there金瓜石(Jinguashi) &九份( Jioufen):
http://www.gep-en.tpc.gov.tw/econtent/travel/travel.asp
It seems has limit of number of words, so I divided my massage into 4 parts.
Thanks for all the information and photos Liz! Your pictures look great! I’m sorry about the limit of words, I’ll see if I can change that!
-neil
I have been there several times while I was studying at NTU in early 90’s. There was no rope at that time. I remembered the first time I went hiking there, I was crawling all the way on the ridge of the mountains because that scared the shit out of me.
Your photos are amazing! I enjoy them very much.
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Excellent pics!! Such a beautiful place to explore.
I did the hike last weekend, and just heard that there is another hike that connects MaoKong to ShiDing (BiJia Trail). DO you know where the trailhead is for this one? Apparently it is in town, but im not sure as the area is new to me.
Any info would be great!
Hi Trevor,
There are multiple trail heads for all of the trails in that area. I’m not sure where the best one is for trail you want, so why don’t you ask Stu over at Hiking Taiwan. He’s a bit more knowledgeable about that stuff. Don’t miss the trails out by Pingxi like Stinky Head Mountain and Xiaozi Shan, they are some of our favorite day hikes!