Nankang Mountain Range_Nankang Mountain Traversing Hiking Trail Introduction
Nangang Mountain is located in the eastern suburbs of the Taipei Basin and is a popular hiking route due to its connection with the Four Beasts Mountain and other ridges. Entering from the archway of Lingyun Temple at the entrance of the Xiangshan Forest Trail, the entire route has well-maintained stone steps and trail guidance maps. The scenery along the trail is dominated by acacia trees, and there are many rest areas with pavilions and benches for hikers to relax. The trail can connect to Xiangshan, Hushan, and Lishan Bridge along the same hiking path. Nangang Mountain, at the southeastern edge of Xinyi District and Nangang District, is the highest peak of the Nangang Mountain Range, with a nighttime flashing light installation at the summit and a third-order triangulation point numbered 695. On the ridge line of Nangang Mountain, which is about 196 meters high between Changshou Garden and Thumb Mountain, many mountain paths and winding trails have been built, making it very convenient for hikers. From the summit, looking north, you can see the shorter peaks of Xiangshan, Shishan, Baoshan, and Hushan, collectively known as the Four Beasts Mountain. Looking east and south, one can see continuous mountains that are lush and steep. The highest point of Nangang Mountain has a television transmission antenna towering above the clouds. This area has significant ups and downs, making the hike exciting and interesting; one of the peaks is named "Jiu Wu Peak," in honor of General Yang Sen, who climbed this peak at the age of 95. Thumb Mountain is located southwest of Nangang Mountain. The peak does not have a base point and looks like a thumb pointing to the sky from a distance in Taipei. From the area of Nangang Mountain, the mountain shape has a single ridge direction, with a gentler eastern slope and a steep 90-degree angle on the western slope. On the ridge line between Nangang Mountain and Thumb Mountain down to Xiangshan, there is a section of steep and dangerous rock walls that is a rare challenging route among the northern suburban mountains. The summit of Thumb Mountain offers a 360-degree panoramic view; on clear days when the weather is nice, one can overlook areas including the Greater Taipei area, Guanyin Mountain, Datun Mountain, Xizhi, Wulai, and Sanxia. Since the Japanese colonial period, Thumb Mountain has been designated as a conservation forest. After a long period of conservation, the forest is dense and well-preserved, with representative tree species such as bottle trees and water tung trees, as well as particularly lush wild elephant ear plants. The Eighteen Arhat Cave consists of eighteen massive stones located among the towering mountains of National Chung Hsing University. From a distance, they resemble eighteen Arhats in different sitting postures on the mountain top, with each of the giant stones having a cave. Local people named it the Eighteen Arhat Cave. However, as this area is currently not open to the public, hikers can only admire it from afar. There is an advantage to walking on the ridgeline while enjoying the view of the urban mountains; the route is not too complicated. Following the marble markers engraved with "Four Beasts Mountain Trail" will lead you correctly, and there’s no need to worry about getting lost. Especially on weekends, many hikers can be seen on the trails, all heading towards Jiu Wu Peak. Climbing to the highest peak of the Nangang Mountain Range, during good weather, the view is vast; the nearby Four Beasts Mountains—Xiangshan, Shishan, Baoshan, and Hushan—are all lined up, while in the distance, the sea-blue skies of Guandu and the Keelung River, as well as the layered ridges of Wuzhishan and Qixingshan, and the undulating mountains of New Taipei City are all visible, offering an excellent expansive scenery. It’s no wonder many visit this trail just to reach Jiu Wu Peak for sunset and night views. The route through the Nangang Street area and the 360-degree ultra-wide-angle view from Thumb Mountain is also unique. The entire Greater Taipei area, Guanyin Mountain, Datun, Qixingshan, and even more distant areas like Xizhi, Muzha, Wulai, and Sanxia are all within view. At dusk, one can overlook the scenery of Greater Taipei and Taoyuan. Not only is there a good view at the top, but there are also numerous observation platforms along the way, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery from different heights and angles. The wide stone steps are comfortable to walk on, and if you want to take a short break, there are pavilions to rest or enjoy the view at intervals along the route. To fully enjoy the forest bath and the panoramic view from high above, good weather is essential. If you encounter heavy clouds and mist, the abundant phytoncides and forest atmosphere will not disappoint, as being surrounded by a misty forest feels like entering a fairyland. The mountainous areas near Thumb Mountain have been designated as a conservation forest in Taipei City since the Japanese colonial period and have undergone a long period of preservation, resulting in a dense and rich natural forest. The western half of the trail has a high density of tree cover, and the eastern half is no less impressive. Along the path from the banyan tree saddle to National Chung Hsing University, there is also a lush forest where thin mist occasionally rises, making you feel as if you are wandering in a dreamy fairyland. This forest, located in the southeast corner, is less affected by the northeast monsoon, so the forest cover is more abundant and moist compared to Xiangshan and Hushan. Representative plants like water tung trees yield abundant fruit, and bottle trees stand tall, while wild elephant ear plants are particularly lush. Walking along serene and beautiful paths in the northwest, the scenery of Xiangshan and Hushan does not appear to be as rich. As you reach the latter part of the trail, the forest scenery is richer than that of the Hushan Trail and is quieter. Further ahead, you'll encounter flowing streams and ancient stone bridges, adding to the peaceful and serene atmosphere. After crossing small bridges and streams, you might wonder if the next stop is a village—indeed, a farmhouse appears by the roadside, followed by rows of coconut trees. Just when you think the beautiful scenery is reaching its end, looking to the right, you realize a series of towering naked rock peaks stands proudly not far away, creating a striking sight. This is the famous “Eighteen Arhat Cave,” an extraordinary sight that you will definitely not want to miss.
