Yangmingshan National Park day hike from Taipei: Qixing Mountain

Qingtiangang grassland, a forest crossing, Qixing Mountain's summit, and volcanic fumaroles in one day

A day hike through Yangmingshan National Park starts in Taipei with private transport and a local guide, taking you through lush forest, across the Jingshan suspension bridge, and up Qixing Mountain (the highest dormant volcano in Taiwan at 1,120 meters), then down through the post-volcanic landscape of Xiaoyoukeng. You choose between the standard route or an extended version that begins in Qingtiangang grassland with water buffaloes. The hike ends with a refreshing drink before your guide drives you back to the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike Yangmingshan National Park

• Start at Qingtiangang grassland
• Warm up walking with water buffaloes
• Pass through forest with Lengshuikeng pond
• Cross Jingshan suspension bridge
• View Qixingshan mountain
• Explore geothermal areas and flora
• Descend from Qixingshan mountain
• Finish hike at Xiaoyoukeng fumaroles
• Take 30-minute break
• Return to Taipei by private transport

The experience

Yangmingshan National Park sits within Taipei's city limits but feels a world away: 113 square kilometers of forest, geothermal features and nine named hiking trails. The park is built on volcanic geology, so as you walk you'll pass hot springs, steam vents rising from the ground and sulfur deposits. The standard route starts after Qingtiangang and moves through a forest that includes Lengshuikeng pond and the Jingshan suspension bridge, with views of Qixing Mountain building as you go. The extended option adds a grassland section at the start where water buffaloes graze, stretching the day and the distance before the main climb.

Qixing Mountain dominates the hike: at 1,120 meters, it's the tallest peak in north Taiwan and a dormant volcano. The ascent is the heart of the day, and the descent brings you to Xiaoyoukeng, a post-volcanic zone where the ground itself tells the story: fumaroles still vent, sulfur crystals line the terrain, and a dramatic landslide scar cuts across the landscape. This is where the hike ends. Your guide meets you with private transport and a cold drink, then drives you back to your hotel in Taipei. The whole day runs between five and seven hours depending on the route you pick.

A local guide leads in English or Spanish, and your hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport to the trailhead. The park sits close enough to the city that you can hike in the morning and be back for dinner, but far enough that the forest canopy and the volcanic views feel remote. Choose the standard route if you want the core experience (Qixing Mountain and Xiaoyoukeng), or the extended route if you want more distance and the grassland section at the start.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Taipei hotel to the trailhead and back to the city.
• a local guide leading in English or Spanish.
• a refreshing drink at the end of the hike.

Options for this experience

2 options

Standard routeGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Duration: 5 hours. This shorter hiking tour heads directly to the Qixing mountain peaks, the tallest mountain in Yangmingshan. Route: We begin in Lengshuikeng, visit the Qixing mountain peaks and end in Xiaoyoukeng. Pickup is included.

Extended routeGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00 and 08:00Duration: 7 hours. Route: The full route begins in Qingtiangang, passes the Qixing mountain peaks and ends in Xiaoyoukeng. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by HolaTaipei Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the extended route if you want the full day and a gentler start in the grassland. Pick the standard route if you prefer a shorter hike that still reaches Qixing Mountain and Xiaoyoukeng. Both routes work for moderate hikers who are comfortable with sustained climbing and steep descents.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Qixing Mountain and why is it the main attraction on this hike?

Qixing Mountain is the highest peak in north Taiwan at 1,120 meters and a dormant volcano. It's the centerpiece of Yangmingshan National Park and the main climb of the day. The ascent builds through forest and the descent takes you into the volcanic terrain of Xiaoyoukeng.

What will I see at Xiaoyoukeng, where the hike ends?

Xiaoyoukeng is a post-volcanic landscape where geothermal activity is still visible: fumaroles vent steam from the ground, sulfur crystals line the terrain, and a large landslide scar cuts across the mountainside. It's the final stop before your guide returns with transport and refreshments.

What's the difference between the standard and extended routes?

The extended route starts in Qingtiangang grassland, a flat area where water buffaloes graze, which serves as a warmup before moving into forest. The standard route skips this section and begins after Qingtiangang, so it's shorter. Both routes pass through the same forest, cross the Jingshan suspension bridge, climb Qixing Mountain and end at Xiaoyoukeng.

How long does this hike take?

The day runs between five and seven hours depending on which route you choose and the pace of the group. The extended route takes longer because it includes the grassland section at the start.

Is this hike suitable for someone who is not an experienced hiker?

The hike requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness and comfort with climbing steps. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or those not accustomed to steep terrain. Your guide can discuss the difficulty before you start and help you choose the route that fits your fitness level.