Have some time to kill? The Junjian Rock Hiking Trail [軍艦岩親山步道] treats visitors to great views and gives a nice workout. The trailhead is really easy to find, just take the MRT to Qilian [唭哩岸] Station and you can’t miss the signs that point to the right direction.
Here’s a small side trail leading to the Weilingdun Residential Area [威靈頓社區]
The trail towards Junjian Rock [軍艦岩] is made up of well-maintained steps all the way up.
Along the path, I made a panorama of the Weilingdun Residential area:
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Finally made it to Junjian Rock:
The view from Junjian Rock is pretty spectacular, unfortunately skies were a bit hazy over Taipei so my panorama didn’t come out quite like I would have liked it to:
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The path from Junjian Rock to Zhaoming Temple [照明寺] is mostly dirt, but no worries because most of it is shaded. I met a Taiwanese man on this portion of the trail who had something in common with me: we both didn’t know which path to take to Zhaoming Temple. Luckily a couple we talked to on the trail pointed us towards the right direction.
The only dragonfly on the trail to sit still long enough for me:
Zhaoming Temple:
On the path from Danfeng Mountain [丹鳳山] down to Beitou:
Panorama along the path:
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And last but not least, a pan of Beitou:
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The Daily Bubble Tea 
Even if it was a bit hazy, the pics are looking pretty good with the D40. So much more details.
Great shots and great report Todd. I’ve not heard of that trail but it looks great… thanks for the tip.
i need to get a camera, it looks like yours is pretty nice!
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What a beautiful hike!
These are great photos, thanks for sharing. How did you find out about the trail? I’ve been looking for a guide book or map of hiking routes in Taiwan.
Thanks for the comments everyone.
abt: There is a small brochure available at MRT stations called Taipei Metro’s Guide to Hiking and Cycling. Check it out!
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I think it is always hazy in Taipei, or maybe just on the days it isn’t raining.
The Taipei MTR Guides are great sources of info and the hiking/biking guide kept me busy my whole visit.
MrBill – typically the only days we seem to have really clean, deep blue skies are unfortunately only after a heavy rainfall or typhoon.
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i realize this is an old post… but I just did this hike today, and here is a small FYI for anyone who also wants to go on this hike: at the quilian MRT station exit #1, there are no signs for this trail. there are however steps that look like part of a trail which are roped off. perhaps that was old entrance? instead i walked about 3 lights straight ahead (direction toward shipai MRT) to yang ming university, and from there once i found the main road inside i found signs pointing to this trail. after that, all was perfect!
or i could’ve been really blind and everything was still there, but in the end i did make it to the top. thank you for writing about this place!
Thanks for the information Cathy!
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so does this trail lead you down to beitou in the end
Yes. It’s a ways from downtown Beitou if I recall correctly, but you are bound to come across a bus stop once you’ve found a main road.
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