2013年台北捷運信義線象山站開通後，所有人與象山的距離自此更近了，出站步行小段即能抵達健行步道口，山腳下一間飮料礦泉水小攤定時開張，正好也成了過路山友們的水份補給站。
400公尺處的六巨石我想是大多數台北人上山的目的地，雖地圖解說牌上標示約15分鐘抵達，但我認為是按平時有運動習慣的人給的參數，不過就算極度缺乏運動，其實沿著步道緩緩而上應該也不出30分鐘，想想，只有海拔181公尺的象山眞是一座極度友善城市人的山啊！
總是習慣在接近傍晚出發，就能一次拾獲台北白晝與向晚的點滴況味。攀 上巨石等著天色由蔚藍漸層至落日薄霧籠罩只餘光影，從未見過如此美的台北，也是在山底下無緣見著的風光。
巨石區有一條通往市立聯合醫院松德院區的小徑，稍往下走就少了枝葉遮避，此面一望無際台式高矮樓房不禁回憶，以前總覺得台北景致比不上異國，然而日子久了才明白，我們只是時刻身處於其中而不知，台北一直都是這般迷人。
此文節錄自《台北多謝(to-siā)》一書城東，中英雙語。 購書連結：https://reurl.cc/e9Ravm/
Since the completion of the Taipei Metro Xinyi red line in 2013, the popular hiking trail up Elephant Mountain has become even easier to get to. The start of the trail is only a short walk from the exit of the Xiangshan metro station. At the base of the mountain, is a stall that is ran by a friendly old lady, stocking a variety of items that are useful for the hike. Frequent hikers up Elephant Mountain will tell you about their friendship with her.
The 400m checkpoint called the Six Giant Rocks, is the goal for most hikers. Despite many maps suggesting that it takes 15 minutes to reach this point, beginners should probably be prepared for a longer hike. However, even at a slower pace, most people should be able to reach it within 30 minutes. With an elevation of only 181 metres, Elephant Mountain is a highly approachable hiking trail suitable for urbanites.
We prefer visiting the mountain in the early evening hours, for a lovely view of the Taipei basin under both day and night light. Sitting on the giant rocks on the mountain, you’ll witness the beautiful transition of the blue sky gradually turning to an autumnal orange.
At the Six Giant Rocks, there’s also a small path that leads towards the Taipei City Psychiatric Center. This small trail is discrete and not many people know of it – but for those that know, it affords a much clearer view of the Taipei skyline. Like most people, we used to value trips abroad more than local trips, but it’s only when you explore more of Taipei, that you realise how beautiful the city is.
This article is excerpted from the book《Taipei, to-siā》, Chinese – English Bilingual Version. Book link｜https://reurl.cc/e9Ravm
