Jiantan Mountain: Running to "The Old Place" for the Ultimate View of the Taipei Basin

Wild Fun Trail Runner｜#2 · Starting from the Urban Core｜The Convenient Urban Backyard
 Jiantan Mountain Trail｜Trail Training Base｜Taipei Grand Hike Section 5｜Post-Work Run

01｜Starting from the Urban Core: A "High-Reward Base" for Runners

Are you looking for a route that allows you to quickly complete training after work or on weekends while boosting stair climbing power? Jiantan Mountain Trail is definitely the number one choice for runners. For those living in Taipei, this mountain is not only extremely accessible via the MRT but also features the most iconic viewpoint in the entire basin—"The Old Place" (Lao Difang) Plane Spotting Platform, providing double satisfaction for the mind and vision after a short run and climb.

The greatest charm of Jiantan Mountain is the ability to start running directly from the MRT station. Its terrain is distinct, primarily featuring long, continuous stone stairs on the ascent, making it an excellent venue for trail runners to practice quadriceps and cardiovascular endurance. Despite this, the entire trail is well-paved, highly shaded, and offers multiple exit points, truly making it a family-friendly mountain route suitable for all ages.

Photographer: Mountain Trail Shots

02｜Historical Corridor and Nature Path: The Cultural Heritage of Yuanshan Scenic Area

Although Jiantan Mountain (H153m) is not high in altitude, it is the famous starting point of the Taipei Grand Hike Section 5 and an indispensable part of most Shilin trail training routes. The Yuanshan mountain range, to which the Jiantan Mountain Trail belongs, is not just a lush urban hill but a time capsule of Taipei's city history. The Yuanshan area, adjacent to the confluence of the Keelung and Tamsui Rivers, was a settlement area for the prehistoric Yuanshan Culture thousands of years ago. Entering modern history, the foot of the mountain was the site of the Taiwan Grand Shrine during the Japanese colonial period (now the Grand Hotel and Martyrs' Shrine area), leading to the area being well-protected and regulated early on.

After the war, Jiantan Mountain was designated as a military restricted zone, heavily guarded until it was gradually opened to the public after the lifting of martial law. Because of this, you will see many abandoned sentry posts (e.g., the "Wu Mei Sentry Experience Area") along the trail. These ruins are witnesses to those heavily guarded years. Transitioning from a religious site during the Japanese era to a post-war military fortress and finally to today's accessible trail, the Grand Hotel and Martyrs' Shrine at the foot of Jiantan Mountain still lend this running route a profound historical atmosphere and architectural beauty.

03｜Transport & Route Extension: Start from the MRT, Connect to the Grand Hike

The most attractive feature of this route is its extreme urban accessibility. Starting at **MRT Jiantan Station Exit 2**, there's no need for long commuting times. You only need to walk along Zhongshan North Road for about 10 minutes to reach the Yuanshan Scenic Area archway entrance. This flat section serves perfectly as a slow jog warm-up before the main climb. For trail running beginners, the convenience of being able to "just go" significantly lowers the barrier to entry.

Compared to the steep, rocky terrain of other trails, the steps here are mostly designed to be neither overly steep nor excessively long. After a period of ascent, you quickly connect to a gentle ridge path. Because of this, you will see a constant stream of hikers and families on weekends and holidays.

🏃 Advanced Challenge: Taipei Grand Hike Section 5

Jiantan Mountain's true allure is its role as the starting point for challenging the "Taipei Grand Hike Section 5." This section heads east from Jiantan Mountain, linking Wenjian Mountain and Scissor Stone Mountain (Jinmianshan system), eventually extending to Bishan Temple—widely recognized as a segment rich in changing scenery.

Photographer: Mountain Trail Shots

Photographer: Mountain Trail Shots

Once you master the gentle stairs of Jiantan Mountain, you can follow the markers to complete longer trail running paths. Not only can you accumulate solid elevation gain, but this mountain range is also a classic route for "Shilin Trail Running" training. It allows you to experience varied terrain—from accessible trails near the city edge to the dirt paths and rock scrambling (Scissor Stone) in the Neihu mountain area—making it an excellent warm-up and testing ground for challenging the entire Grand Hike and laying a solid foundation for future long-distance trail races.

04｜Gear Choice for Stair Challenges: NNormal Tomir 2.0 Robust Support

The Jiantan Mountain Trail tests not just cardiovascular fitness; the continuous steep stairs are a tough battle for a running shoe's cushioning, grip, and stability. For this ascent, I chose the NNormal Tomir 2.0. Frankly, my first impression was that it was "super easy to style"—the colors and sleek fit meant it didn't look out of place in the city, making it great for everyday Gorpcore outfits and even fully capable as a casual hiking shoe. However, when I truly ran up Jiantan Mountain's long stairs, I discovered its deeper power.

NNormal Tomir 2.0 Trail Running Shoe

Cushioning and Support Analysis

I believe its most outstanding feature is the supportive cushioning feel. The upgraded EExpure supercritical foam effectively filters out most of the impact from the steps on the downhill, allowing you to increase your cadence confidently without worrying about knee complaints.

Grip and Lightweight Design

The Tomir 2.0 features the **Vibram® MEGAGRIP outsole** utilizing **Litebase** technology. This reduces the sole's weight by 30% and thickness by 50% compared to the first generation, without sacrificing grip. This weight reduction is noticeable during the ascent! Combined with the **TRACTION LUG** tread pattern, it firmly grips the ground even on the occasional flat dirt paths or slightly wet roots found on Jiantan Mountain, providing solid stability and confidence.

Conclusion: The Tomir 2.0 finds the perfect balance between performance and everyday use on "mixed urban terrain."

View NNormal Tomir 2.0 Details Now

05｜Ridge Views and the Promise at "The Old Place"

If you head all the way up from the trailhead, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes of walking to reach the ridgeline. When you finish the main stair climbing segment and arrive at the flatter trail, don't forget to slow down. The ultimate reward everyone looks forward to here is the "The Old Place" Plane Spotting Platform. This is the best location to overlook Songshan Airport takeoffs/landings and the panoramic metropolitan view of the Taipei basin.

"The Old Place" has become a secret base where runners and hikers make a promise with nature within the city. Whether you simply do a short loop or run towards the extended Taipei Grand Hike, this mountain—closest to the city center—will definitely help you turn the rhythm and courage found in the mountains into a longer story!

Find an evening, head up Jiantan Mountain right after work, and let "The Old Place" be a small promise between you, the Taipei night view, and yourself.