So, you have arrived in Taipei.
Excellent choice.
At first glance, Taiwan’s capital may appear to be all skyscrapers, busy streets, colourful temples, bubble tea and enough food stalls to completely destroy any sensible eating schedule.
And to be fair…
There is plenty of that.
But look beyond the bright lights and Taipei reveals a surprisingly adventurous side.
Mountains rise around the city.
Hiking trails begin remarkably close to metro stations.
Hot springs bubble naturally from the ground.
Riverside cycling paths stretch for kilometres.
And just beyond the urban centre, forests, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes are waiting to be explored.
One moment you are standing beneath Taipei 101.
The next you are climbing a mountain wondering why you thought wearing your nicest trainers was a sensible decision.
That is Taipei.
To help you discover the adventurous side of Taiwan’s capital, here are 10 fantastic activities to enjoy while visiting Taipei.
1. Hike Elephant Mountain For Spectacular City Views
🥾 If you have seen a photograph of Taipei’s skyline with Taipei 101 standing dramatically above the city, there is a good chance it was taken from Elephant Mountain.
The trail is conveniently close to the city centre and rewards hikers with some of the best views across Taipei.
There is just one small detail.
Stairs.
Quite a lot of stairs.
The climb is relatively short, but your legs may still submit a formal complaint halfway up.
Keep going.
The view is worth it.
💡 Adventure Tip: Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when temperatures are cooler.
Sunset is particularly beautiful, but it can also be busy.
Bring water and wear comfortable shoes with decent grip.
Your fashionable city footwear has done nothing to deserve this.
2. Explore Yangmingshan National Park
🌋 One of the most remarkable things about Taipei is how quickly you can escape the city.
Yangmingshan National Park offers volcanic landscapes, mountain trails, grasslands, seasonal flowers and steaming geothermal features within easy reach of central Taipei.
You can spend the morning surrounded by traffic and skyscrapers.
Then spend the afternoon walking past steaming vents on a volcano.
Quite the change of scenery.
💡 Adventure Tip: Check trail conditions and weather forecasts before visiting.
Mountain weather can change quickly, so bring layers and a lightweight waterproof jacket.
Start early if you are planning a longer hike.
And yes, you will probably take far too many photographs.
This is unavoidable.
3. Cycle Along Taipei’s Riverside Paths
🚴 Taipei has an extensive network of riverside cycling paths that offer a completely different perspective of the city.
You can pedal alongside rivers, pass parks and bridges and enjoy long stretches away from busy traffic.
It is peaceful.
Scenic.
Healthy.
Until you realise you have cycled considerably farther than planned and now have to cycle all the way back.
An important detail.
💡 Adventure Tip: Hire a bicycle and choose a route that suits your fitness level and available time.
Early mornings and late afternoons are particularly pleasant during warmer months.
Bring water and check your route before setting off.
“Let’s just see where this goes” becomes less charming after 25 kilometres.
4. Soak In The Hot Springs Of Beitou
♨️ Adventure does not always require sweating your way up a mountain.
Sometimes it involves sitting in warm water doing absolutely nothing.
We strongly support this form of adventure.
Beitou is famous for its geothermal activity and hot-spring culture.
Located within Taipei, the area feels surprisingly different from the busy city centre.
You can explore the geothermal landscape, learn about local hot-spring history and enjoy a relaxing soak.
Your legs will particularly appreciate this after Elephant Mountain.
💡 Adventure Tip: Research hot-spring etiquette before visiting, as rules vary between public baths, private rooms and resorts.
Some traditional baths may require bathing without swimwear in gender-separated areas.
Private rooms are also available for travellers who prefer a little more privacy.
5. Hike The Four Beasts Trails
🌿 Elephant Mountain may receive most of the attention, but it is only part of a larger network of trails known as the Four Beasts.
These hills offer hiking routes, forest scenery and fantastic viewpoints overlooking Taipei.
Continue beyond the busiest sections and you may discover quieter trails with fewer visitors.
The further you walk, the more peaceful it becomes.
Possibly because everyone else decided the first viewpoint was perfectly adequate.
💡 Adventure Tip: Download an offline map before setting out and bring enough water.
Choose a route that matches your fitness level and available daylight.
If you are hiking later in the day, carry a small torch or headlamp.
Your phone flashlight is useful.
Your phone battery may have other plans.
6. Eat Your Way Through A Taipei Night Market
🍜 Adventure is not always about mountains.
Sometimes it involves looking at something on a stick and saying:
“I have absolutely no idea what that is.”
Then eating it anyway.
Taipei’s night markets are an essential part of experiencing the city.
You will find dumplings, noodles, grilled dishes, fried snacks, desserts, fresh fruit and countless other things competing for your attention.
Your stomach will eventually claim it is full.
Do not immediately believe it.
There may be another food stall around the corner.
💡 Adventure Tip: Arrive hungry and order smaller portions so you can try more dishes.
Popular night markets can become extremely busy, so keep your belongings secure and be patient when moving through crowds.
This is not a race.
Unless there is only one portion of your favourite snack left.
Then circumstances have changed.
7. Take A Day Trip To Jiufen
🏮 Perched on the hills northeast of Taipei, Jiufen is famous for its narrow lanes, traditional tea houses and atmospheric hillside setting.
Exploring its winding streets feels like stepping into another world.
There are staircases.
Lots of staircases.
Apparently northern Taiwan has very strong opinions about leg day.
Beyond the busy old streets, the surrounding area offers beautiful coastal and mountain scenery.
💡 Adventure Tip: Visit earlier in the day if you prefer fewer crowds, or stay later to experience the atmospheric lantern-lit streets.
Wear comfortable shoes because Jiufen involves plenty of walking and steps.
Rain is also common in northern Taiwan, so carrying a compact umbrella is rarely a bad idea.
8. Discover Waterfalls Around Northern Taiwan
💦 Taipei makes an excellent base for exploring some of northern Taiwan’s beautiful waterfalls.
One of the most famous is Shifen Waterfall, a broad cascade surrounded by lush scenery.
Combine your visit with nearby walking routes, railway towns and scenic areas for an easy adventure outside the city.
Waterfalls are particularly impressive after rainfall.
Although the paths may also become considerably more enthusiastic about being slippery.
💡 Adventure Tip: Wear shoes with good grip and always stay on designated paths.
Check weather and local access conditions before travelling, particularly after heavy rain.
Nature provides excellent scenery.
It does not provide handrails everywhere.
9. Ride The Maokong Gondola And Explore The Tea Hills
🚡 Want mountain views without climbing every single metre yourself?
Excellent thinking.
The Maokong Gondola carries visitors from Taipei into the green hills surrounding the city.
Once you arrive, you can explore walking trails, visit tea houses and enjoy panoramic views across Taipei.
It combines adventure with tea.
An extremely civilised arrangement.
💡 Adventure Tip: Check operating conditions before travelling, as gondola services may be affected by strong winds or severe weather.
Allow enough time to explore the area rather than simply riding up and immediately returning.
Find a tea house.
Order something delicious.
Admire the view.
This is hiking with excellent refreshments.
10. Watch Taipei Come Alive From Above
🌃 After spending your day hiking, cycling and exploring, finish with a completely different kind of adventure.
See Taipei from above.
Taipei 101 offers spectacular views across the enormous city, particularly as daylight fades and thousands of lights begin appearing below.
From high above, you can suddenly appreciate just how dramatically Taipei sits between mountains and rivers.
You may even spot some of the hills you climbed earlier.
Your legs will remember them.
💡 Adventure Tip: Visit before sunset so you can experience the view during daylight, sunset and after dark.
Clear days provide the best visibility, so check the weather before booking if possible.
Take your time.
You have earned an activity involving an elevator.
✨ Final Taipei Thoughts
Taipei is one of those cities that refuses to fit neatly into one category.
It is modern.
Historic.
Busy.
Peaceful.
Urban.
Wild.
Sometimes all within the same afternoon.
You can begin your morning drinking coffee beneath skyscrapers, hike through forest-covered mountains before lunch, soak in a hot spring in the afternoon and spend your evening eating approximately nine different snacks at a night market.
That is an impressively productive day.
The greatest advantage of Taipei is how accessible adventure can be.
You do not always need complicated expeditions or long journeys.
Some of the city’s best hiking trails, cycling routes, hot springs and natural attractions can be reached using public transport.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, sun protection and a lightweight waterproof jacket.
Most importantly, leave some flexibility in your itinerary.
You may discover a trail you had not planned to walk.
A tea house you do not want to leave.
Or a night-market stall that requires immediate investigation.
Follow your curiosity.
Taipei rewards it.
Because behind the skyscrapers, metro stations and neon signs lies a city surrounded by mountains, rivers and countless opportunities for adventure.
And if your legs become tired?
There is always a hot spring.
Taipei really has thought of everything.
