Elephant Mountain

Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed. The stairs were steeper and more crowded than I expected, and on the day we went, the air pollution made the city view pretty hazy. I know it's free and close to the MRT, so it's convenient, but if you've seen one city overlook, this isn't a must-do. Maybe I caught it on a bad day.

Good workout with a rewarding view. The stairs are numerous and can get crowded on weekends. We went on a Friday afternoon, still crowded at the top but manageable. The city view is beautiful, but there were too many people fighting for photo spots. Would still recommend, especially in good weather.

One of the best free things to do in Taipei. Easy to get to from Xiangshan Station and the path is easy to follow. The stairs are steep but there are railings. The top looks directly over Taipei 101 and the whole basin lights up at night. Bring water and a good camera. Will definitely come back.

This was the highlight of my Taipei trip. You get an amazing view of the city and the mountains. The trail is short but a bit steep in parts. We went just before sunset and stayed for the sky to turn pink — totally worth it. The observation platform is great for photos. A must-visit if you love city views.

Did the hike at 6am before the heat and crowds. The stone steps are well maintained and the view over Taipei 101 is unreal. Felt like I had the mountain to myself. The breeze at the top is perfect. Highly recommend for a morning sweat.

Honestly, I found this place a bit overrated. The hike is steep and very crowded — you're basically climbing behind a line of people. At the top, there are lots of tourists jostling for the same selfie spot. The view is okay, but you can see Taipei 101 from many places around the city without the effort. If you're fit and early maybe it's nicer, but for me it was a bit disappointing. Probably better to go to a less crowded viewpoint.

Great hike, not too long. Took about 20 minutes to reach the top with plenty of photo stops. The view of Taipei 101 is iconic, but I wish the sky was clearer. A bit hazy even in the evening, so the photos didn't come out as crisp as I hoped. Still, the experience was good and the stairs are well maintained. Would do it again on a clear day.

Loved this place! I was a bit worried after reading about crowds, but I went on a weekday around 5 PM and there weren't too many people. The view of the city and the mountains is breathtaking. I sat on a rock for an hour just taking it in. Also saw some cool insects and birds on the way up. It's a really special spot if you love nature and city views combined.

One of the best free things to do in Taipei. The trail starts right near the MRT so you have no excuse. I came twice during my trip — once in daylight and once at night. Night view is unreal. The 101 looks like a glowing crystal. Not a hard hike; the photo spot at the top is worth every step. Highly recommend!

Absolutely stunning! Did the Elephant Mountain hike during golden hour and watched the sky turn pink over Taipei 101. The stairs are steep but totally manageable if you take breaks. The viewing platform was busy but everyone was respectful and it felt magical when the city lights came on. Perfect way to end a day in Taipei. Just bring water and bug spray!

As a photographer, Elephant Mountain is a dream spot. The golden hour light hitting Taipei 101 is magic. I went on a clear weekday afternoon and had plenty of room to set up my tripod near the main viewing platform. The contrast between the lush green mountain and the urban skyline is incredible. 10/10 would climb again for the shots.

Best free activity in Taipei! The stairs are a workout but the panoramic view at the top is jaw-dropping. I brought a small snack and sat on a rock watching the sunset colors change over the city. Felt so peaceful despite the crowd. Definitely do this—you won't regret the sweat!

I've hiked many city trails around the world, and Elephant Mountain is decent but nothing extraordinary. The steps are uneven in places and there's barely any shade—got drenched in sweat even in the morning. The view is nice but honestly you can see similar skylines from other spots in Taipei for free without the climb. Not bad, but I wouldn't go out of my way again.

Elephant Mountain is a classic Taipei experience, but honestly it was more crowded than I expected. The trail is well-maintained and the view of Taipei 101 is iconic, but you're sharing it with dozens of people queuing for photos. Still worth it for the panorama, just go early if you want some peace.

The hike up Elephant Mountain is short but steep—definitely earned that view at the top. I went around sunset and the city skyline with Taipei 101 was absolutely stunning. Saw a few monkeys along the trail too, which was a fun bonus. Would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Taipei who wants a quick nature escape without leaving the city.

Hands down the best urban hike I've ever done! Elephant Mountain delivers a breathtaking panoramic view of Taipei that you simply can't get anywhere else. I went at 5:30 AM to catch the sunrise, and it was magical—the city lights slowly fading, the sky turning pink, and zero crowds. The trail has some stairs but nothing too intense. I even met a friendly local who pointed out all the landmarks. Bring a light jacket because the wind at the top can be chilly. 10/10 would do again!

Went to Elephant Mountain expecting a nice little hike, but left pretty disappointed. The trail itself is fine—clean and well marked—but the amount of people was insane. I waited 20 minutes just to get a clear photo at the main viewing deck. Also, there's zero shade, so if you go midday you'll be roasted. The view is okay, but nothing mind-blowing compared to other spots in Taipei. I think this is only worth it if you have limited time and want a quick photo op.

Decent hike with nice views, but honestly a bit overhyped. The trail is super short (maybe 15 minutes if you power through), and once you're at the top, you're basically sharing a small platform with dozens of tourists elbowing for a selfie. I went on a Saturday afternoon, which was probably my mistake. The skyline is cool, but you can see the same thing from other spots in the city without the crowds. I'd give it a 4 if you go early on a weekday.

This is my third time hiking Elephant Mountain, and it never gets old. The 20-minute climb is the perfect warm-up for a weekend morning, and the rock formations at the top make for great photos. I went on a weekday around 7 AM and had the whole viewpoint almost to myself. The air was fresh, the birds were chirping, and I even saw a few monkeys in the trees nearby. If you only do one thing in Taipei, make it this hike.

Elephant Mountain is a solid choice if you want a quick, rewarding hike without spending all day. The trail is well-maintained and the view from the top of Taipei 101 and the city skyline is absolutely stunning, especially around sunset. I brought my mom along and she managed just fine—though some steps are a bit steep. Definitely bring water and go early to avoid the crowds. One of my top 5 Taipei experiences!

Maybe I had too high expectations after seeing all the photos online. The hike itself is steep and a bit taxing – I'm decently fit but my legs were burning. The view at the top is nice, don't get me wrong, but it didn't blow me away as much as I thought. Plus the mosquitoes were relentless; bring bug spray. On the bright side, it's free. Just felt a bit underwhelming overall.

Really nice spot overall. The view from the top is definitely worth the climb – you get a fantastic perspective of Taipei 101 and the whole basin. Only two things kept it from a perfect score: there weren't enough trash bins and some people left litter, which was a bummer. Also the main viewing platform is a bit small, so it gets cramped on weekends. Still, a solid experience and I'd recommend it if you're okay with crowds.

Wow, just wow. Went in the late afternoon and watched the city lights flicker on as dusk settled. The climb is moderate – some steep parts but totally doable for a regular active person. The viewing area was crowded but we made friends with people from all over the world. Such a magical atmosphere. Don't skip this when in Taipei!

As a hiking enthusiast, this trail is a gem. Well-maintained steps, plenty of shaded areas, and the payoff at the top is unreal. The panoramic view of Taipei, especially with the mountains in the background, is stunning. Even on a weekday it got busy, but everyone was polite. Bring water and a camera – you'll want to capture every angle. Highly recommended!

Absolutely incredible! The hike up Elephant Mountain is a must-do in Taipei. I went just before sunset and the view of Taipei 101 and the city skyline was breathtaking. The stairs are a bit of a workout, but totally worth it. Pro tip: go early to grab a good spot on the viewing platform. I'll never forget that golden hour glow!