The Four Beasts
Four Beasts Hiking Tour in Taipei
The Four Beasts is one of the best short hiking areas in Taipei, famous for close-up views of Taipei 101, city skyline viewpoints and easy access from central Taipei. This private Four Beasts hiking tour can be arranged as a short scenic walk, a half-day Taipei hike or a longer loop through several connected trails.
The Four Beasts are Elephant Mountain, Tiger Mountain, Leopard Mountain and Lion Mountain. The trail system also connects with Nangangshan and Jiuwu Peak, giving hikers a surprising amount of variety in a compact area just southeast of Taipei 101.
Taiwan Adventures can arrange a private guided Four Beasts hike with English-speaking guides, flexible route planning, meals and optional transport. This is a good choice for visitors who want a Taipei day hike with famous skyline views, temples, forest paths and hidden side trails without travelling far from the city.
Four Beasts Trip Details
Location: Xinyi / Nangang area, Taipei
Duration: Half day to full day
Difficulty: 1 to 3 out of 5
Hiking time: From a short viewpoint walk to around 4–6 hours
Best for: Taipei 101 views, easy Taipei hikes, night views, photography, families, private groups and first-time visitors
Why Hike the Four Beasts?
The Four Beasts is one of Taipei’s most convenient hiking areas. In a short time, you can leave the city streets behind and climb into forested hills with excellent views over Taipei 101, Xinyi District and the surrounding mountains.
Elephant Mountain is the most famous part of the route and is popular for sunset and night views. Tiger Mountain has well-maintained paths and skyline viewpoints, while Leopard Mountain and Lion Mountain offer quieter trails and hidden corners away from the busiest photo spots.
Because there are many trailheads, stairways, temples, viewpoints and side paths, the route can be adjusted for different fitness levels and available time.
Typical Four Beasts Itinerary
There is no single fixed itinerary for the Four Beasts. The trail system has many access points, including routes starting near Xinyi Road, Songren Road and nearby MRT stations.
For a shorter trip, we can hike to Elephant Mountain or nearby viewpoints for classic Taipei 101 photos. For a longer route, we can link several of the Four Beasts together and continue towards Nangangshan or Jiuwu Peak.
The main trails are also lit at night, making this a good option for sunset or evening skyline views if weather conditions are suitable.
The exact route can be adjusted depending on your group’s fitness, interests, weather, timing and whether you want a relaxed walk, photography-focused route or more active Taipei day hike.
Difficulty and Fitness
The Four Beasts is rated 1 to 3 out of 5, depending on the route chosen. A short Elephant Mountain viewpoint walk is relatively easy, but longer loops through the full trail system can involve several hours of stairs, forest trails and steep sections.
Some routes may include fixed ropes, uneven ground or exposure to heights, but we can usually choose easier alternatives if needed.
Most reasonably active people can enjoy this hike. It is a good choice for families, first-time visitors, mixed-ability groups and people who want a flexible Taipei hiking experience.
Pricing
Private Four Beasts hiking tours start at NT$12,800 for groups of 1 to 3 people.
Each additional person is NT$2,625.
Contact us with your preferred date, group size, pickup location and route style for an exact quote.
Transportation
Private transportation can be provided from Taipei, New Taipei or Taoyuan Airport to the trail area. Pickups from other locations can usually be arranged, sometimes for a small extra fee.
Vehicles are insured, drivers are licensed and we follow Taiwan traffic regulations.
Food and Dietary Requirements
Main meals are provided for the hike. You only need to bring your own snacks, water bottle and any personal trail food.
We can usually accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements if you tell us in advance.
Safety and English-Speaking Guides
All Taiwan Adventures leaders are Wilderness First Responder certified and carry first-aid kits. Our guides are native English speakers, speak Mandarin, and have extensive experience hiking and guiding in Taiwan.
For Four Beasts hikes, we pay attention to heat, rain, slippery steps, night hiking conditions, crowded viewpoints, fixed-rope sections, road crossings, group pace and safe route choice. If conditions make one route unsuitable, we can adjust the itinerary.
Plan a Private Four Beasts Hiking Tour
Contact Taiwan Adventures to plan a private Four Beasts hiking tour in Taipei. Tell us your preferred date, group size, fitness level and whether you want a short skyline walk, a sunset photography hike or a longer Taipei day hike.
