Mt. Shiti (石梯嶺）

This is one that I don’t see on Top 10 lists, but one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen in the Taipei area was from here.

Mt. Shiti is not very easy to get to – it’s halfway between the popular and more convenient Qingtiangang Grassland in Yangmingshan and Fengguizui in Shilin.

If you want to hike from the Shilin side, you’ll need to take a car or scooter to Fengguizui. If you’re coming from Yangmingshan side, there are various public transportation options to Yangmingshan. The S15 bus stops at Qingtiangang but is not an option to get back after dark (see last bus times below).

Whatever side you’re coming from, you’ll have to hike about an hour to get to the viewpoint at Mt. Shiti peak.

From the Shilin side, walk from Fengguizui up the Dingshan Shitiling Trail. The hike isn’t too challenging, but there are a fair amount of uphill stairs. On clear days, there’s a nice view out to Wanli in the east for the first part, and a few times you’ll be able to see through the other side to Taipei 101 in the southwest. About 20 minutes in, you’ll reach Dingshan. There’s a viewpoint marker, but I didn’t see much of a view from there. I would suggest continuing another 40 minutes, which will take you through a forest and up the side of a grassy hill.

When you get close to Shitiling, you’ll have an opportunity to see water buffaloes – a common sight here and at Qingtiangang. There are pretty as they graze across the grass, but be careful and don’t get too close! You might also see other critters along the way – we saw a pangolin.

Before you get to Mt. Shiti, you’ll walk up a big grassland. The view from here is very pretty, so it’s an option for the sunset. Or, continue walking up just a few minutes, and you’ll reach the official peak.

From the peak, you’ll have a magnificent view in all directions. The sun will set somewhere near the mountains of Yangmingshan in the northwest.

Going back through the forest on the Shilin side is dark, and you’ll hear the noises of night critters. Make sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight! And when you get back to your vehicle, drive safely back down the mountain to the city. Watch out for night bicyclists along the road.