On the Trail of the Four Beasts takes adventurous hikers on a journey through Taipei’s scenic Four Beasts Mountains. This article explores lesser-known routes and hidden gems, offering a variety of breathtaking views and unique experiences.
From popular summits like Elephant, Lion, and Tiger Mountains to the less-explored Leopard Mountain, hikers will discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make this destination a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts seeking an off-the-beaten-track adventure.
Good To Know
- Elephant Mountain and Pipeline Trail are popular short hikes in Taipei city.
- The Four Beasts Mountains area offers a wealth of natural, scenic, and cultural variety.
- Elephant, Lion, and Tiger Mountains are easy to reach and popular summits.
- Tianbao Temple is remarkable for the huge colorful image of a Taoist god carved into a niche in the sandstone cliff.
The Four Beasts Mountains: A Hidden Gem
The Four Beasts Mountains is a frequently overlooked gem in the hiking community. Nestled in Taipei, Taiwan, this area boasts hidden gems and unexplored trails that are waiting to be discovered. Hikers who venture here will be rewarded with breathtaking views and a sense of serenity.
The Four Beasts Mountains consist of nine rocky sandstone peaks, including Thumb Mountain, Nangang Mountain, and Nine-Five Peak. These peaks offer a variety of scenic and cultural discoveries, from the grand Fengtian Temple to the unique Longshan Cave. The summit highlights include Elephant, Lion, and Tiger Mountains, which are easy to reach and popular among hikers. However, the trail to Leopard Mountain, located in the least explored part of the ridge, presents a thrilling challenge for those seeking a more adventurous experience.
With its hidden gems and unexplored trails, the Four Beasts Mountains is a must-visit destination for hiking enthusiasts looking to discover the beauty of Taipei’s natural landscape.
Exploring Elephant Mountain: Taipei’s Iconic Hike
Scaling Elephant Mountain offers hikers a challenging and rewarding experience with stunning views of Taipei’s skyline. This iconic hike is known for its breathtaking viewpoints and diverse hiking difficulty levels.
The mountain features several viewpoints that provide panoramic vistas of the city, including the famous Taipei 101. Hikers can choose from various trails with different levels of difficulty, catering to both beginners and experienced hikers.
The trails range from steep and challenging paths to more gradual inclines, allowing hikers to choose the route that suits their fitness level and preferences. Along the way, hikers can enjoy the cascading streams and the unfinished Tianbao Temple, adding an element of cultural and historical significance to the hike.
Whether you’re seeking a challenging adventure or simply want to soak in the beauty of Taipei, exploring Elephant Mountain is a must-do activity for outdoor enthusiasts.
Thumb Mountain: A Rocky Adventure
A popular option for hikers seeking a rocky adventure is Thumb Mountain, where they can explore rugged terrain and embrace the thrill of the trail.
Located in the Four Beasts Mountains area, Thumb Mountain offers a unique and challenging experience for outdoor enthusiasts. While not as well-known as some of the other peaks in the area, Thumb Mountain is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Hikers can test their rock climbing skills as they navigate the rocky outcrops and steep slopes of the mountain. The trail to the summit provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, making it a rewarding journey for those who venture off the beaten path.
Thumb Mountain is truly a rocky adventure worth exploring.
Nangang Mountain: A Serene Summit
Visitors can explore Nangang Mountain, as it offers a peaceful and serene summit experience. This mountain is part of the Four Beasts Mountains area, known for its variety of scenic and cultural discoveries. Nangang Mountain is located on the main ridge, along with Thumb Mountain and Nine-Five Peak. It is accessible via several hiking trails, allowing visitors to enjoy the serene landscapes of the area. To further enhance the experience, the following table provides information on the popular hiking routes and their characteristics:
| Hiking Trail | Distance (km) | Difficulty Level | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Mountain | 2.5 | Easy | Remarkable view of Taipei 101 |
| Pipeline Trail | 4 | Moderate | Scenic views of the city |
| Thumb Mountain | 3 | Moderate | Rocky flourish |
| Nangang Mountain | 5 | Difficult | Serene landscapes, peaceful summit |
With its challenging but rewarding trails and serene landscapes, Nangang Mountain is an ideal destination for those seeking a tranquil hiking experience.
Nine-Five Peak: A Panoramic View
From the summit of Nine-Five Peak, hikers can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes. This peak, located in the Four Beasts Mountains area, offers one of the best vantage points in Taipei.
The panoramic viewpoint allows hikers to take in the stunning beauty of the city, with expansive views of Taipei 101 and the surrounding mountains.
However, reaching Nine-Five Peak isn’t without its challenges. Hikers will have to navigate steep and rocky terrain, with elevation gains of nearly a thousand vertical meters. The trail can be demanding, but the reward of the panoramic view makes it all worthwhile.
For those seeking a hiking adventure with stunning vistas, Nine-Five Peak is a must-visit destination.
Scenic Wonders: Natural Beauty Along the Trail
Amidst the challenging terrain, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of natural beauty along the trail of the Four Beasts.
The trail of the Four Beasts Mountains area offers a multitude of natural wonders and scenic viewpoints that are sure to leave hikers in awe.
As hikers make their way along the trail, they’ll encounter stunning vistas of Taipei 101 and the city skyline from rocky outcrops.
Cascading streams and the unfinished Tianbao Temple add to the charm of Elephant Mountain.
Lion Mountain may have a rather dull summit, but the trail to Leopard Mountain takes hikers through Buddhist inscriptions and monuments carved out of the soft rock.
The path passing colorful statues of the Eighteen Arhats is particularly interesting and leads to the summit of Leopard Mountain.
Cultural Delights: Temples and Caves
As hikers journey through the Four Beasts Mountains area, they’ll discover a variety of cultural delights, including temples and caves. These spiritual sanctuaries and hidden treasures add a unique dimension to the hiking experience.
- Fengtian Temple: This grand temple serves as a scenic alternative trailhead, with a steep path leading up the mountainside. It offers a serene atmosphere and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- Longshan Cave: Once an air raid shelter, this cave has been transformed into a cave temple and karaoke parlor. It provides a fascinating blend of history and modern entertainment, making it a must-visit spot along the trail.
- Tianbao Temple: This temple is remarkable for its huge colorful image of a Taoist god carved into a sandstone cliff. Visitors can explore the dark, unfinished halls and admire the colorful statues depicting the Taoist immortals known as the Eighteen Arhats.
These temples and caves not only offer a glimpse into the local culture and spirituality but also provide a peaceful retreat amidst the rugged beauty of the Four Beasts Mountains.
Summit Highlights: Elephant, Lion, and Tiger Mountains
Hikers can’t help but be captivated by the stunning views and exhilarating ascent of Elephant, Lion, and Tiger Mountains.
Elephant Mountain, in particular, offers hikers a breathtaking panoramic view of Taipei, including the iconic Taipei 101. The trail to the summit of Elephant Mountain takes hikers through cascading streams and past the unfinished Tianbao Temple, adding to the allure of the experience.
On the other hand, the summit of Lion Mountain may not be as exciting, but the journey to the top is still rewarding.
As for Tiger Mountain, reaching its summit is a feat that many hikers strive for. The Tiger Mountain summit offers a sense of accomplishment and a chance to take in the surrounding natural beauty.
Leopard Mountain: Off the Beaten Path
Leopard Mountain is a hidden gem, yet it offers hikers a unique and rewarding experience. With unexplored trails and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, this off the beaten path destination is a must-visit for adventurous souls.
Here are three reasons why Leopard Mountain should be on every hiker’s list:
1) Secluded Trails: Unlike the popular summits of Elephant, Lion, and Tiger Mountains, the trail to Leopard Mountain is in the least explored part of the ridge. It offers a sense of solitude and tranquility, allowing hikers to connect with nature on a deeper level.
2) Exposed Cliff and Thread of Sky: Along the trail, hikers will encounter an exposed cliff and a cleft known as a Thread of Sky. These natural formations provide breathtaking views and make for incredible photo opportunities.
3) Colorful Statues of the Eighteen Arhats: The most interesting part of the hike is the path passing colorful statues of the Eighteen Arhats. These striking statues depict the Taoist immortals and add a touch of cultural richness to the experience.
Embark on an adventure to Leopard Mountain and uncover its hidden treasures for a truly unforgettable hiking experience.
Tianbao Temple: A Taoist Marvel
Tianbao Temple stands as a majestic Taoist marvel, nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the Four Beasts Mountains. With a history dating back to the Qing Dynasty, this temple holds great significance in Taoist traditions and rituals.
The temple’s history is shrouded in mystery, but it’s believed to have been built to honor a Taoist god carved into a sandstone cliff. As visitors explore the temple, they can witness the Taoist immortals known as the Eighteen Arhats depicted in colorful statues.
The temple’s unfinished halls and large open terrace add to its allure, providing a glimpse into the ancient Taoist practices that have been upheld for centuries. Today, Tianbao Temple remains an important cultural and spiritual landmark in the Four Beasts Mountains, attracting both locals and travelers alike.
The Eighteen Arhats: Mystical Statues Along the Trail
As visitors continue along the trail, they encounter a series of mystical statues depicting the Eighteen Arhats, showcasing the rich spiritual heritage of the Four Beasts Mountains. These statues aren’t only visually stunning but also hold great spiritual significance.
Here are three key aspects to explore about the Arhats statues:
- Exploring the spiritual significance of the Arhats statues: Each statue represents an enlightened being who’s attained nirvana and is believed to possess supernatural powers. These statues serve as a reminder of the path to enlightenment and inspire devotees to cultivate virtues and overcome obstacles on their spiritual journey.
- The artistry and craftsmanship of the Eighteen Arhats statues: The statues are meticulously carved with intricate details, showcasing the skill and talent of the artisans who created them. The delicate facial expressions, flowing robes, and lifelike poses bring the Arhats to life, making them truly mesmerizing works of art.
- Symbolism and symbolism: Each Arhat statue symbolizes different qualities and virtues, such as wisdom, compassion, and fearlessness. By studying the statues and their meanings, visitors can deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings and gain insight into the importance of these virtues in their own lives.
Scaling the Cliffs: Conquering Leopard Mountain
After carefully descending the trail below Elephant Mountain, hikers can start conquering Leopard Mountain by following a trail that zig-zags steeply up the cliff face. Along the way, they’ll pass by Buddhist inscriptions and monuments carved out of the soft rock, showcasing the rich cultural history of the area.
However, the most captivating part of the hike is the path that leads to the summit of Leopard Mountain, where colorful statues of the Arhats can be found. These statues, depicting the Taoist immortals, add a vibrant and mystical touch to the already breathtaking scenery. As hikers make their way up the trail, they’ll be greeted by the striking presence of these statues, further enhancing the experience of conquering Leopard Mountain.
Common Questions
What Is the Recommended Loop Hike That Covers the Four Beasts and the Three Main Peaks?
The recommended loop hike that covers the four beasts and the three main peaks is a challenging yet rewarding adventure. Hikers can start from the alternative trailhead at Fengtian Temple and climb nearly a thousand vertical meters to experience the diverse natural and cultural wonders of the Four Beasts Mountains area.
Where Is the Alternative Trailhead With a Grand Temple and a Steep Path?
The alternative trailhead with a grand temple and a steep path is located at Fengtian Temple. This trailhead offers a scenic starting point for hikers, with a magnificent temple and a challenging ascent up the mountainside.
What Is the Significance of Longshan Cave Along the Trail?
Longshan Cave along the trail holds exploration history and cultural significance. Once an air raid shelter, it now serves as a cave temple and karaoke parlor. It offers a unique experience amidst the natural beauty of the Four Beasts Mountains area.
What Are Some of the Highlights of Elephant Mountain?
Elephant Mountain offers stunning viewpoints of Taipei 101 and the city. It is a popular spot for a sunset hike, with cascading streams and the unfinished Tianbao Temple adding to its charm.
How Do You Reach the Summit of Leopard Mountain?
To summit Leopard Mountain, hikers can take a trail that gradually descends, passing Buddhist inscriptions and colorful statues of the Eighteen Arhats. The path then zig-zags steeply up the cliff face, leading to the summit.
The Sum Up
To sum it up, Off the Beaten Track: On the Trail of the Four Beasts offers adventurous hikers a unique and captivating experience in Taipei’s Four Beasts Mountains.
With its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, this hidden gem provides breathtaking views and encounters with remarkable landmarks such as Tianbao Temple and the Eighteen Arhats statues.
Whether scaling cliffs or exploring serene summits, this off-the-beaten-track adventure is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable hiking experience.