Keelung Mountain (基隆山): Short but Scenic Hike Overlooking Jiufen & the Pacific

Full Hiking Guide: Transportation, Trail Route & Best Time for Sunset Views.

Overview

Keelung Mountain (also spelled Jilongshan, 基隆山) rises 588 meters above the coastal hills of Ruifang District in New Taipei City. It’s one of Taiwan’s Top Small 100 Peaks (Xiaobaiyue) and sits right above the famous Jiufen Old Street (九份老街) and the gold mining town of Jinguashi (金瓜石). The trailhead is just a 10-minute walk from Jiufen Old Street, making it an easy side trip for visitors.

This short but steep hike is one of the most popular side trips for visitors exploring Jiufen. The main trail is entirely made of stone steps — only 1.2 km one way — but climbs quickly and offers spectacular ocean and mountain views from the summit.

Although the distance is short, there’s almost no shade, so it can feel hot and exposed on sunny days. Most hikers reach the top in 30 – 40 minutes, with a round trip taking about 1 hour.

For a more comfortable and scenic experience, take the shadier side trail (the “contour path”) that winds gently around the mountain. This route offers more natural paths, ocean views, and a cooler walk under partial tree cover.

👉 Recommended route: Start around 4 PM via the contour path, enjoy the coastal scenery on the way up, watch the sunset and Jiufen night lights from the top, and descend via the main stair trail after dark.

Trail Highlights

• Sweeping Views from the Summit
  • Panoramic views of both Jiufen’s hillside village and the blue Pacific Ocean.
  • A top-rated photo spot for sunset, sea, and night views — all from one peak.
• Short but Rewarding
  • A short 1–2 hour hike with ever-changing scenery — well-paved & beginner-friendly.
  • Climb up via the shaded contour path and descend the main stair trail for a scenic loop.
• Easy Access from Jiufen Old Street
  • Located right above Jiufen, it’s ideal to combine hiking and sightseeing in one day.
  • Reach it easily by bus from Taipei or Ruifang, or walk up from the old street in about 10 minutes.

How to Get to Keelung Mountain

Trailhead Location

• Keelung Mountain Trailhead | Google Maps

By Public Transport

You can reach the Keelung Mountain trailhead from two bus stops:

1. Geding (隔頂)
   ✔ The closest stop to the trailhead
   ✔ The entrance is directly across the road
2. Jiufen Old Street (九份老街)
   ✔ A good option if you plan to visit Jiufen first
   ✔ Requires a 5–10 minute uphill walk to the trailhead

By Car/Scooter

• Navigation: Geding Parking Lot, Jiufen.
• Parking:
  • Weekdays: NT$150 per entry
  • Weekends: NT$50 per hour
  • No temporary parking allowed near the trailhead.

Hiking Information

• Route: Trailhead → Junction (Main Trail / Contour Path) → Contour Path → Keelung Mountain → Main Trail → Trailhead
• Distance:
  • 2.4 km round trip (main trail).
  • 2.5 km loop (contour up, main down).
• Difficulty: Easy (Suitable for beginners and families)
• Trail type: Stone stairs (main) / dirt path (contour path).
• Permit: No permit required
• Best season: Year-round.
  • Best in autumn (silver grass season). 
  • Avoid midday heat in summer.
  • Bring warm layers in winter when strong winds blow.
• Suggested Time: 1 – 2 hours round trip, depending on breaks.
• My Time Log:
  • 17:20 Trailhead
  • 17:30 Junction (Main Trail / Contour Path)
  • 17:58 Rejoined the main trail
  • 18:05 Keelung Mountain
  • 18:50 Started descent
  • 19:20 Trailhead
• Note: As a reference, I completed the Tokyo marathon in 6 hours. Your timing may vary based on fitness level and rest time.

GPX Track Download

• Recorded on: August 29, 2025.
• Download GPX track (waypoints included) from my Google Drive: Keelung Mountain.

Weather Forecast

• Central Weather Administration website: Keelung Mountain (Chilungshan).
• Check Jiufen live webcam below for the current weather.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Restrooms: Available only at Geding Parking Lot across from the trailhead.
• Bring water and sun protection: The trail is fully exposed to the sun.
• If staying for sunset or night views, bring a flashlight or headlamp — the trail has no lighting.
• Watch your step: The stone stairs can be slippery after rain.
• Bus tip: Since this is the same route as Jiufen Old Street, buses fill up quickly. Start from the first stop (e.g., MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Station) to secure a seat.

Nearby Attractions

Jiufen Old Street (九份老街)

• A must-visit stop before or after the hike. Wander through the narrow alleyways, enjoy scenic mountain and sea views, and try famous local snacks like:
  • A-Lan Grass Rice Cake (阿蘭草仔粿) — a glutinous rice cake filled with savory or sweet fillings (read more about Grass Rice Cake here).
  • A Gan Yi Taro Balls (阿柑姨芋圓) — chewy taro and sweet potato balls served with syrup or shaved ice.
• Tip: Start your afternoon at Jiufen Old Street for local snacks, then hike Keelung Mountain to enjoy the sunset and see the mountain town illuminated at night.
• Getting there – Google Maps. About 10 minutes on foot from the trailhead (or 1 bus stop away).

Jinguashi (金瓜石)

• Explore the Gold Museum (黃金博物館), Baoshi Mountain Trail (報時山步道), and Teapot Mountain Trail (茶壺山步道), learning about Taiwan’s gold mining history while hiking through scenic hills.

Shuinandong (水湳洞)

• A coastal area known for the Golden Waterfall (黃金瀑布), the Yin-Yang Sea’s striking color contrast, and the 13-Layer Remains (Remains of Copper Refinery).
• It’s the perfect extension to complete your Jiufen–Jinguashi–Shuinandong one-day trip.

In Pictures/Videos