Jiufen Mountain Trails: A Hiking Journey Through Gold Mine Ruins and Tea Aroma

Jiufen Mountain Trails is one of the most representative hiking routes in northern Taiwan, spanning approximately 5 kilometers, connecting Jinguashi and Jiufen two mountain towns. Along the way, you can see more than 20 historical sites including gold mine tunnels from the Japanese colonial period and abandoned mining equipment. Currently, this route attracts approximately 800,000 visitors annually, making it a popular hiking choice for experiencing the intertwining of mining culture and tea aroma. Would you like to visit these gold mine ruins in person?

• Shengping Coal Mine: The iconic tunnel witnessing Jiufen's mining development, see details
• Gold Museum Area: A national-level exhibition hall showcasing the complete history of the Jinguashi mining district, see details
• Ah-Mei Tea House: The tea house that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's Bathhouse in "Spirited Away," see details

For more Macao and Taiwan special attractions, view the complete guide.

Introduction

Jiufen, the mountain town built into the hills of northern Taiwan, flourished from a gold rush dream, only to be reclaimed by the mountain forests within a single generation. Today, while visitors wander through the old street tea houses, few know that along the mountain ridge surrounding this ancient town, traces of the gold seekers from days past still remain. Jiufen's hiking trails are not simply nature paths—they are three-dimensional history books—every steep slope, every platform, recording the ambitions and hardships of the gold mining era.

The hiking experience here is unique compared to other parts of Taiwan. Unlike Alishan's misty seas or Taroko's geological grandeur, Jiufen's mountain trails place you on a micro stage of human geography: overlooking the red lantern-lit roofs of the old street, gazing out at Keelong Islet and the northeastern coast, with the ancient mining paths beneath your feet. In recent years, as hiking tourism has become a mainstream leisure activity in northern Taiwan, the number of visitors to Jiufen trails has grown from an annual 50,000 in 2023 to 150,000 per month in 2025, making it the most popular mountain hiking destination in the New Taipei City suburbs.

Highlights

1. Living Museum of Gold Mine Ruins

Unlike other trails, each hiking route in Jiufen passes by or offers views of gold mining pit ruins. Along the mid-section of Mt. Keelung Trail, you can see abandoned vertical shaft structures, while the Tea Mountain Trail is dotted with stone water channels from those years—these are silent witnesses, telling of the gold-rush era from the late 19th to mid-20th century. Many hikers discover that these ruins, compared to cold museum exhibits, evoke more直观 imagination of history.

2. Fusion of Tea Mountain Culture and Hiking

After the decline of gold mining, Jiufen turned to embrace the tea industry. Many trails today still retain tea terrace fields, especially along the Tea Mountain Trail. During your hike, you'll pass by open small tea gardens, and if you're lucky, you can catch local tea farmers harvesting. Many trail endpoints or rest stops have simple tea houses, where hikers can directly taste freshly brewed highmountain Tieguanyin or Baozhong tea (a pot usually costs NT$100-200), a uniquely local resting experience.

3. Panoramic View from the Urban Fringe

The summit of Mt. Keelung Trail (elevation 588 meters) offers the best viewpoint for panoramic views of Jiufen Old Street. From here, the L-shaped building cluster of the old street is clearly visible, with changing light and shadow at different times making it irresistible for photography enthusiasts—morning mist at sunrise, red lanterns lighting up at dusk, scattered lights at night, each presenting a completely different visual narrative. You can also gaze out at the northeastern coast and the outline of Keelong Islet, with broad and unique views.

4>Subtle Seasonal Changes

The mountain town trails of northern Taiwan are significantly affected by monsoons. In spring, new tea buds sprout (March-April), summer is relatively cooler due to frequent rain and fog (but with more mosquitoes), autumn is the most stable hiking season, and winter, though cold, often features incredible foggy scenery. Each season gives the trail a completely different character.

Recommended Spots

1. Mt. Keelung Trail (Jiufen Mt. Keelung)

This is the most famous hiking route in the Jiufen mountain area, with moderate difficulty, taking 2.5-3 hours round trip. The trailhead is located above Jiufen Old Street (behind the convenience store), starting steep but not difficult, passing by abandoned mine ruins and tea gardens. The summit has a photo platform (small area, crowded during peak tourist season), offering 360-degree views of Jiufen Old Street, Keelong Islet, and the coastline. This is a popular sunrise spot, with many hikers starting before 5:30 AM to catch the best light.

Practical Tips: The summit is windy with no shelter, please bring a windproof jacket; mobile signal is unstable at the summit.

2. Tea Mountain Trail

A less commercialized traditional mountain town trail, with easy difficulty, taking about 1.5-2 hours round trip. The starting point is on the side of Jiufen Old Road (you need to ask local bed and breakfast owners to find the exact entrance), following the stone-paved ancient path upward, with old tea trees decades old on both sides. The mid-section has 2-3 simple pavilions, used as resting spots by local tea farmers. Along the way, you can also see ancient stone water facilities from the past, the route that best reflects the historical transition from "gold mining to tea industry."

Feature: The most "authentic" old path, away from crowded tourist trails, where you can buy freshly picked tea (usually NT$200-400/100 grams).

3. Songde Trail

One of the ancient paths connecting Jiufen and Ruifang, with moderate difficulty, spanning about 4 kilometers, taking 2.5 hours. The starting point is not on Jiufen Old Street but on the Ruifang side. This trail's special feature is having multiple viewing platforms, with the "Shizhujian" platform offering excellent views—not only seeing Jiufen but also the entire Ruifang area and the northeastern coast. The upper section of the trail has WWII-era air raid tunnel ruins, adding another layer of historical witness.

Best Time: Depart at 3-4 PM, arriving at the viewing platform during sunset, when the evening light is most enchanting.

4. Houchengshan Trail

This is the easiest trail option in the Jiufen mountain area, taking about 1 hour round trip, suitable for those with limited energy or visitors with children. The trail preserves the old commuting path between Jiufen and Houtong, with visible residential ruins and ancient stone steps. Though the scenery is not as grand as Mt. Keelung, the trail's atmosphere is rich, making it an excellent choice for experiencing the mountain town's humanistic culture.

Accessibility Information: The first half is fully paved, suitable for elderly or young children.

5. Jiufen Waterfall Trail (Nuannuan Waterfall Hiking Line)

If you want to experience the cool feeling of mountain streams and valleys, you can choose the route from Jiufen boundary to Nuannuan Waterfall, with easy to moderate difficulty, taking about 1.5 hours. This is one of the few trails in the Ruifang area with a flowing waterfall, with abundant stream water in summer, making it a great place to cool off. However, note: stream currents become rapid after rain, avoid wading; non-slip shoes are essential.

Practical Information

Transportation

Public Transportation

• From Taipei: Take the Taiwan Railway to Ruifang Station (about 40 minutes), then transfer to a local bus (Ruifang-Jiufen, about 15 minutes, fare NT$15-20) to Jiufen Old Street. Many trailheads are just above the old street.
• Or take a coach: From Taipei Station, take the Guo Guang Bus to Jiufen Old Street (about 1.5 hours, fare NT$75-95).

Self-Drive

• There is parking in Jiufen (NT$30/hour on weekdays, NT$50/hour on weekends), taking about 5-10 minutes to reach various trailheads. It is recommended to avoid peak hours from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekends.

Costs

Hiking itself is free, but related expenses include:

• Parking: NT$30-50/hour
• Tea drinks (mountain tea houses): NT$100-300/person
• Lunch (old street or mountain foot B&B): NT$80-200/person
• Guide service (optional): NT$2000-3000/group (3-5 people)

Opening Hours

The trails are open year-round (no official regulation), but it is recommended to hike between sunrise and sunset for safety. Tea houses and B&Bs are usually open 08:00-18:00, possibly extended to 20:00 on peak holidays.

Season and Climate

• **Best Season**: Autumn (September-November), cool temperature, clear visibility, moderate number of visitors.
• **Second Best Season**: Spring (March-May), new tea buds flourish, but prone to afternoon showers.
• **Avoid Season**: June-August, hot and humid with many mosquitoes; December-February in winter, though crisp, with frequent haze and low visibility.

Travel Tips

1. Don't Skimp on Hiking Gear: Even though the elevation is not high in northern Taiwan mountain areas, weather changes quickly. Be sure to bring windproof and rainproof jackets, sufficient water (at least 1.5 liters), sunscreen, and hiking shoes. Many visitors hike in flip-flops or canvas shoes, which is very dangerous.

2. Allow Sufficient Time: Don't rush, especially on the downhill sections of Tea Mountain Trail and Songde Trail, as unsteady footsteps easily slip. It is recommended to slow down the ascent pace and spend more time enjoying the scenery at the summit.

3. Respect Local Tea Farmers and B&B Owners: Many trails pass through private tea gardens or residential areas; please ask permission before taking photos. If purchasing freshly picked tea, please trade at reasonable prices to support the local economy.

4. Check Weather and Trail Conditions: Rain in northern Taiwan mountain areas can change unexpectedly. Before hiking, be sure to check the Central Weather Administration forecast and search for previous days' trail reports (hikers often share real-time conditions on forums). Some sections may temporarily collapse due to rain erosion, and official announcements are not always immediate.

5. Night Hiking Requires Extra Caution: Although many people hike at night to watch the sunrise, visibility is low in northern Taiwan mountain areas at night, and wildlife activity is frequent. If you are not experienced, it is recommended to depart in the evening and return during sunset instead.

6. Accessibility Options: The first half of Houchengshan Trail and Jiufen Waterfall Trail are relatively flat, suitable for elderly companions. However, be sure to hike in groups and not venture alone.

7. Leave No Trace: There is no garbage collection in mountain areas. All beverage bottles and food packaging must be brought down with you. Many visitors leaving garbage at summits is the biggest problem for local residents.

8. Winter Haze Alert: From December to February, Jiufen is often engulfed in sea fog, with visibility possibly only a few meters. If encountering thick fog, it is recommended to turn back and descend, do not force your way up.

9. Be Sure to Descend Before Dark: Sunset in Taiwan mountain areas is around 16:30 in winter and around 18:30 in summer. Be sure to allow sufficient time to descend; there are no lighting facilities in mountain areas at night.

10. Develop Hiking Habits: Inform family and friends of your hiking plan, expected return time, and bring a fully charged phone. If any accident occurs, at least someone will know your whereabouts.