First, how safe are the hiking trails around Taipei?
I ask this because back in the USA, we always hear stories about weirdos hanging out in the woods, drunks/homeless/trolls, and even the occasional murder or robbery… in remote locations. The trails close to Taipei I assume are safe.
Call me paranoid, but I really don’t like hiking, but my girl wants to go. She is a native but not really the outdoors type - she just sees this as a form of exercise for the day. So what kind of safety precautions or a checklist of preparing for a day hike? I am assuming some food/water, good boots, and possible rain gear.
Or like I said, am I too paranoid and I am going to see a paved road all the way to the top of the mountain with bubble milk tea trucks on the way up and an occasional scooter? Laugh.
[quote=“downtownandrew”]First, how safe are the hiking trails around Taipei?
I ask this because back in the USA, we always hear stories about weirdos hanging out in the woods, drunks/homeless/trolls, and even the occasional murder or robbery… in remote locations. The trails close to Taipei I assume are safe.
Call me paranoid, but I really don’t like hiking, but my girl wants to go. She is a native but not really the outdoors type - she just sees this as a form of exercise for the day. So what kind of safety precautions or a checklist of preparing for a day hike? I am assuming some food/water, good boots, and possible rain gear.
Or like I said, am I too paranoid and I am going to see a paved road all the way to the top of the mountain with bubble milk tea trucks on the way up and an occasional scooter? Laugh.[/quote]
For a lot of the hikes, a paved road and bubble tea truck is more likely. Seriously.
Most of the hikes, esp during the week, will be packed with old folk exercising. No safety issues (from other people) at all to worry about.
Most possibly a stairway to heaven kind of thing… an endless, carefully plotted stone staircase all the way to the top. I reccomend Taipei Day Trips I and II for ideas. The safest routes include Jinmei and the Park that shall be kept a secret.
Dangers derive from 1. getting lost 2. meeting a snake/centipede 3. running into a pack of wild dogs protecting their nest/owners plot
ps.
there are more weirdos and homeless along the riverside parks
meh. So its not really dirt trails and tranquility.
There’s enough of those on forumosa.
You’ll find tranquility enough. Maybe even a dirt trail. Your checklist seems fine to me for a taipei day hike. i’d take sunblock, a small towel and a hat too.
Please don’t listen to most of these people, good folk though they are. Other than Yangmingshan, which yes, is mostly paved, you will find all the trails dirt and natural in character. In fact a lot of trails are a lot rougher than would ever be allowed back home, with rickety bamboo bridges, and sections along knife-edge ridgelines.
It’s fantastic to be out on the trails as you get immersed in nature so fast. Just head out to Wulai and it’s another world, a lost world of thick jungle, with birds, butterflies, lizards, snakes and the occassional monkey.
Other good areas include Maokong, Pingxi, and Pinglin.
Checkilist:
food
water
decent boots
quick drying shirt (never cotton)
walking stick (to poke around when the trail is overgrown for snakes and balance on steep sections)
maps
basic first aid is a long hike
umbrella (gortex is useless in lower elevation because of the humidity)
flashlight (always have one as trails often take longer than you think)
You have very little to worry about regarding the potential for muggings or assaults on the trails of Taiwan (not to say that it could never happen). Nature is more of a concern than man.
Taiwan was made for hiking, and there are tons of trails just outside (and some within) the city limits. Trails close to the city will sometimes be paved with stone steps, and most will be well marked. You’ll usually see a fair number of other hikers on the trails.
Once you get farther afield, the majority of trails will be unpaved. The dangers (albeit very unlikely) on the more remote trails include getting lost, landslides and/or falling rocks, dangerous animals like snakes and hornets, falls and injuries, etc. Some wilder trails may become so overgrown that they become hard to discern. Keep a lookout for the ribbons that hiking clubs use to mark the trails.
The main caveat is to be adequately prepared. You should always be properly dressed for the hike. Wear layers, since it can start out hot but suddenly get cold or start raining while you’re up there. In lower elevations, wear a good pair of sneakers/running shoes, since the flexible soles are better at gripping smooth, algae-slicked rocks than rigid-soled hiking boots. (Up in the high mountains, wear hiking boots.) Long trousers prevent your legs from being cut up by vegetation. Also bring ample food and water, and a headlamp: you may underestimate the length of time you’ll be out there. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are advisable.
I always bring a rain poncho (available at 7-11), a survival knife, a space blanket, a firestarting kit with tinder, a simple first aid kit, and some other emergency gear. But then, I hike a lot.
Most of all: enjoy your hikes! Stop and smell the flowers and admire the views. Commune with nature and breathe the fresh air!
One of your greatest dangers is getting lost in the jungle.
[quote=“tommy525”]One of your greatest dangers is getting lost in the jungle.[/quote] and then getting bitten by a poisonous snake and not being able to get out in time to be treated.
Given the poster’s description of his girlfriend as “not really the outdoors type” and his mention that “she just sees this as a form of exercise for the day” I’d be surprised if he’s going to encounter anything much wilder than Elephant Mountain or the stone steps up shuǐguǎn lù.
that is a danger indeed. Or being bitten to death by the yellow jackets . Another danger.
Thats why I play it safe, i never went anywhere my car couldnt 
But seriously snake bites are rare, make a lot of noise, snakes dont like to be surprised and stepped on. And hornet attacks are also rare. But getting lost in dense foliage is not that hard to do.
ah, i thought you were being facetious, so I followed. As cranky says, I doubt this OP + gf will be straying anywhere near dense enough foliage. Still it’s good enough advice, if you’re new to hiking, stay on the path 
. It’s a jungle out there.
Did a very mild hike up Xianjiyan.
Beautiful views of Taipei 101, etc. Yes, it was paved the entire way up the “hill”, with very tight tiny stairs with broken edges in some spots. Would not want to have to walk down these stairs in the rain. Some loose lazy dogs were around, but not hostile. The Temple had bathrooms, another beautiful view, and workout equipment ( surprisingly), with only 10Kg on it, but hey its there. Was pretty peaceful, I must admit. On to the next hike - elephant trail.
I like to climb Xianjiyan after day or just at twilight to see the sunset. We usually grab a few beer and sit on the rocksm, dangling our legs over the edge as we watch the city.
If you like short hikes like that go to Bitan. Take the Xindian MRT to the end and cross over to the river. Cross the suspension bridge and then take the stairs immediately to the left (going up). Beautiful views of the rivers and Wulai mountains further back. Some raised section of the trail like going through a rainforest. Get up to Hemeishan and you can see over the city (it looks beautiful up there). Trails are all clear and well marked. Can hike 1-2 hours.