Nangkang Mountain Range_Nangkang Mountain Longitudinal Trail Introduction
Nangang Mountain is located on the eastern outskirts of the Taipei Basin and is connected to the Four Beasts Mountains, becoming a popular hiking route. Entering from the Lingyun Temple archway at the Xiangshan Trail, the stone steps along the path are well-maintained and flat, with trail maps provided. The scenery is dominated by acacia forests, and there are several pavilions and benches along the trail for hikers to rest. The trail can be connected to Xiangshan, Hushan, and Lishan Bridge's trails. Nangang Mountain, situated on the southeastern ridge of the Xinyi District and Nangang District, is the highest peak in the Nangang Mountain Range. At the summit, there are flickering lights at night and a third-order triangulation point No. 695. The ridge line of Nangang Mountain, rising approximately 196 meters between Changshou Garden and Thumb Mountain, has many mountain paths and winding trails that are convenient for hikers. From the summit, one can gaze northward to see the lower Four Beasts Mountains—Xiangshan, Shishan, Baoshan, and Hushan—aligning in a row. To the east and south, the endless mountain ranges unfold, lush and layered. The highest point of Nangang Mountain is equipped with a television broadcasting antenna, towering amidst the clouds. The terrain here is quite undulating, making the climb both exciting and interesting. One peak, named "Jiu Wu Peak," commemorates General Yang Sen, who climbed this peak at the age of 95. Thumb Mountain is located to the south-southwest of Nangang Mountain. Without a base point, from Taipei, Thumb Mountain resembles a thumb reaching up to the sky, hence its name. When viewed from Nangang Mountain, the mountain range slopes in a single direction, with a gentler east slope and a steep 90-degree angle on the west side. Along the ridgeline connecting Nangang Mountain and Thumb Mountain, hikers must conquer a section of steep rock walls, making this route rare and challenging among northern suburban mountains. The summit of Thumb Mountain offers a 360-degree panoramic view. On clear days, one can see the entire Taipei area, Guanyin Mountain, Datun Mountain, Xizhi, Wulai, Sanxia, and other places. Since the Japanese colonial period, Thumb Mountain has been designated as a protected forest. After a long period of conservation, the forest is dense and lush, with representative tree species such as the podocarpus and the Chinese parasol tree, and even wild elephant ear plants appear particularly plump. The Eighteen Arhats Cave consists of eighteen massive stones located among the rugged mountains of the National Taipei University of Technology. From a distance, they appear like eighteen sitting Arhats standing on the mountain, with caves in between the boulders, leading locals to name it the Eighteen Arhats Cave. Since the area is currently not open to the public, hikers can only view it from afar. One advantage of walking along the ridgeline is that the trail is not too complicated; follow the marble signs engraved with "Four Beasts Mountain Trail," and you won’t get lost. Especially on weekends, there are many hikers on the path, all heading towards Jiu Wu Peak. At the highest peak of the Nangang Mountain Range, on clear days, the view is boundless; the nearby Four Beasts Mountains—Xiangshan, Shishan, Baoshan, and Hushan—are clearly visible, as well as the distant Guandu and Keelung River blending with the sky, along with the mountain ranges of Wuzhi Mountain and Qixing Mountain, and the rolling hills of New Taipei City present a spectacular panorama. It's no wonder many people visit this trail to climb Jiu Wu Peak to enjoy the sunset and the night view. From the Nangang district view route, the 360-degree ultra-wide view from Thumb Mountain is also remarkable, encompassing the entire Greater Taipei area, Guanyin Mountain, Datun Mountain, Qixing Mountain, and even farther places like Xizhi, Muzha, Wulai, and Sanxia mountains. At dusk, the scenery of Greater Taipei and Taoyuan can be seen from above. Not only is the view on the summit beautiful, but there are also many viewing platforms along the way, allowing you to appreciate the mountain scenery from different heights and angles. The wide stone steps make walking comfortable, and if you want to take a rest, there are pavilions every now and then to sit and enjoy the view. To fully enjoy the forest bath and the distant views requires good weather, but even in misty weather, the forest’s phytoncide and forest bath experience will not disappoint. Being enveloped in the misty woods feels like stepping into a fairyland. The mountainous area near Thumb Mountain has been planned as a protected forest since the Japanese colonial period. After long-term conservation, the natural forest is dense and rich in biodiversity. The western part of the trail has a high density of tree cover, and the eastern portion is equally impressive. The path from the Banyan Tree saddle to the National Taipei University of Technology passes through a dense forest where mist occasionally rises, making it feel like a dreamy wonderland. This forest, located in the southeast corner, is less affected by the northeastern monsoon, resulting in a denser and more humid forest compared to Xiangshan and Hushan. Representative plants like the Chinese parasol tree bear abundant fruit, and the podocarpus stand tall; even the wild elephant ear plants look especially rich. To feel refreshed and appreciate the serene paths in the northwest, Xiangshan and Hushan belong to the same mountain range but don't offer as rich scenic views. As you progress later along the trail, the greenery is denser and quieter than the Hushan trail. Moving forward, accompanied by bubbling streams, you'll encounter an ancient stone bridge that adds to the peaceful atmosphere. After crossing the bridge, you might think, "Next, is there a settlement?" Indeed, a farmhouse appears by the side of the path, followed by rows of coconut trees. Just when you think the beautiful scenery is coming to an end, looking to the right reveals towering giant rocky peaks nearby, making a breathtaking sight that you definitely won’t want to miss. That is the famous "Eighteen Arhats Cave," which you absolutely should not miss when walking along the gentle trail.
