Nanggang Mountain Range_Nanggang Mountain Ridge Trail Introduction
Nangang Mountain is located in the eastern suburbs of the Taipei Basin and connects with other peaks like the Four Beast Mountains, making it a popular hiking route. Entering from the Lingyun Temple archway of the Xiangshan Trail, the path is well-paved with stone steps and has trail maps for guidance, surrounded mainly by acacia trees, with several pavilions and benches along the way for hikers to rest. This trail connects with the trails of Xiangshan, Hushan, and Lishan Bridge. Nangang Mountain, situated at the southeastern ridge of Xiangyi District and Nangang District, is the highest peak of the Nangang Mountain Range, featuring nighttime lighting installations and a third-order triangulation point No. 695 at its summit. The ridge line between Changshou Garden and Thumb Mountain, approximately 196 meters high, has many trails and winding paths, making it very convenient for hikers. From the summit, looking north, you can see the lower peaks of Xiangshan, Shishan, Baoshan, and Hushan, collectively known as the Four Beast Mountains. To the east and south, you can see a continuous chain of mountains, lush and majestic. At the highest point of Nangang Mountain stands a television transmission antenna, towering above the clouds, with considerable elevation changes that make the hike both thrilling and interesting. One of the peaks is named "Jiuwu Peak" in honor of General Yang Sen, who climbed this peak at the age of 95. Thumb Mountain is located in the southwest of Nangang Mountain and lacks a base point. From afar in Taipei, Thumb Mountain resembles a thumb reaching for the sky, hence its name. When viewed from the Nangang Mountain area, the mountain ridge is inclined, with the eastern slope being relatively gentle while the western slope is approximately at a 90-degree angle. To traverse the ridge between Nangang Mountain and Thumb Mountain, hikers must ascend a steep and challenging rock wall, which is a rare difficult path in the northern suburban mountains. The summit of Thumb Mountain offers a 360-degree panoramic view; on clear days, you can see the entire Greater Taipei area, Guanyin Mountain, Datun Mountain, along with Xizhi, Wulai, and Sanxia in a comprehensive view. Thumb Mountain was designated as a conservation forest during the Japanese occupation and has been well-preserved over the years, featuring dense and complete forest composition with representative tree species such as Pencil Cedar and Taiwan Sweetgum, and even wild Taro that looks particularly lush. The Eighteen Arhats Cave consists of eighteen massive stone blocks located among the rugged mountains of Chung Hua University. From afar, they appear like eighteen Arhats with different sitting postures standing atop the mountains, each giant stone containing a cave, which locals named the Eighteen Arhats Cave. Since this area is currently not open to the public, hikers can only admire it from a distance. Enjoying the mountain scenery while walking along the ridge is beneficial as the trails are not overly complicated; simply follow the marble signs marked with "Four Beast Mountain Trail" ahead, and there’s no need to worry about getting lost. Especially on weekends, many climbers can be seen between trails sharing the same goal of reaching Jiuwu Peak. At the highest peak of the Nangang Mountain Range, on days with good weather, the unobstructed view includes the nearby Four Beast Mountains—Xiangshan, Shishan, Baoshan, and Hushan lined up, as well as the distant Guandu and Keelung Rivers merging with the sea, the layers of Wuzhishan and Qixingshan Range, and the undulating mountains of New Taipei City, providing an extraordinary wide view. It's no wonder that many people visit this trail just to climb to Jiuwu Peak to enjoy the sunset and night scenery. The expansive view from Thumb Mountain showcases a super wide-angle panorama of the entire Greater Taipei area, Guanyin Mountain, Datun, Qixingshan, and even further regions like Xizhi, Muzha, Wulai, and Sanxia mountains can be seen clearly. As night falls, the scenery of Greater Taipei and Taoyuan areas can also be overlooked. Not only is there beautiful scenery at the top, but there are also many viewpoints along the way, allowing you to enjoy the mountain views from different heights and angles. The wide stone steps make for a comfortable walk, and if you want to rest, there are pavilions available every so often to relax or view the scenery. Fully enjoy the forest bath while climbing high and looking far; if you encounter cloudy weather, the abundance of phytoncides and forest bathing will not disappoint, as being in a misty forest feels like entering a fairyland. The mountain area near Thumb Mountain has been planned as a conservation forest in Taipei City since the Japanese rule. After long-term cultivation, the natural forest is dense and rich in variety. The density of tree cover in the western half of the trail is high, and the eastern half is equally impressive. From the banyan saddle towards the trail leading to Chung Hua University, there is a dense forest shrouded in mist, making it feel like crossing into a dream world. This forest, located in the southeastern corner, is less affected by the northeastern monsoon, making its forest more lush and moist compared to Xiangshan and Hushan. Representative plants include Taiwan Sweetgum, which bears abundant fruit, Pencil Cedar standing tall, and even wild Taro that appears particularly luscious. Walking along the tree-lined path on the northern slopes of Xiangshan and Hushan, which belong to the same mountain range, the natural scenery may not be as rich. As you reach the latter part of the trail, the forest landscape is more abundant and peaceful than the Hushan Trail. Continuing ahead, you will find a gently flowing stream, and when you reach the end of the water, an ancient stone bridge comes into view, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. After crossing the small bridge with flowing water, could your next destination be "a residence"? Indeed, a farmhouse appears next to the path, followed by rows of coconut trees. Just when you think the beautiful scenery along the way is coming to an end, looking to the right, you see towering exposed rock peaks in the distance, striking in their grandeur. It turns out that this is the famous "Eighteen Arhats Cave," and walking on the gentle trail, this is an extraordinary sight that you absolutely wouldn't want to miss.
