Longgang Trail: Half-Day Coastal Hike in Keelung

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Discover hidden gems and breathtaking coastal views in Keelung with this easy half-day hike.

Table of Contents

Overview
Getting There (from Taipei)
Hiking Information
GPX Track Download
Weather Forecast
My Hiking Experience
Additional Tips

Overview

The Longgang Trail (龍崗步道), located within the campus of National Taiwan Ocean University, offers a well-maintained concrete path with abundant natural beauty. From April to May, you can even witness the enchanting glow of fireflies. The trail’s ridge line provides panoramic vistas of Badouzi Coast, Keelung Island and the Northeast Coast. Along the way, you can also visit the nearby Ganziliao Mountain and Ganziliao Fort.

• Mount Gangziliao (Gangziliaoshan, 槓子寮山): This 163-meter peak is a popular hiking destination, renowned for its amazing coastal scenery. It can be reached via the Longgang Trail from the university, a hike of approximately 20-30 minutes.

• Gangziliao Fort (槓子寮砲台): As the largest and best-preserved fort in Keelung, Gangziliao Fort is a national-level historical site. Its vast expanse and imposing structure are impressive.

Getting There (from Taipei)

• Bus: Take bus 1579 (bound for TRA Badouzi Station) from Exit 4 of Zhongxiao Dunhua Station. Other MRT stations like Yuanshan Station, Taipei City Hall Station, and Nanjing Sanmin Station are also served. Get off at the Xiangfeng Gate of National Taiwan Ocean University (海洋大學祥豐校門). Travel time is approximately 40-60 minutes, depending on traffic. (Time table of bus 1579)
• Train + Bus: Take a train from Taipei Main Station to Keelung Station. From Keelung Station, transfer to bus 101, 103, 104, or 108.

Hiking Information

• Route: Circular route of Longgang Trail, Mount Gangziliao and Gangziliao Fort.
• Distance: Approximately 4.5 km (2.8 miles).
• Permit: No
• Suggested Time: 1.5 ~ 2 hours.
• My Time Log:
• 10:15 Trailhead of Longgang Trail
• 10:30 Public Toilet
• 10:43 Mount Gangziliao (rested for 17 minutes)
• 11:15 Gangziliao Fort (rested for 30 minutes)
• 12:15 Archery range 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: January 14, 2025.
• Download GPX track (waypoints in English included) from my Google Drive: Longgang trail_Mt. Gangziliao_Gangziliao fort

Weather Forecast

Check the Central Weather Administration for the weather in Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, where Longgang Trail is located.

My Hiking Experience

Upon arriving at the Xiangfeng Gate of National Taiwan Ocean University by taking bus 1579, follow the signs towards the university and enter the campus from the motorcycle parking lot. The trailhead of Longgang Trail is located within the campus, a short 7-10 minute walk from the parking lot.

Trailhead of Longgang Trail

The trail primarily consists of well-maintained concrete steps, making it a relatively easy hike for most people.

Well-maintained trail

Once you reach the end of the steps of the trailhead, you'll find public toilets and benches for a rest. From here, you can already enjoy the beautiful ocean view.

Public toilets and resting area

The view just beside the public toilet

Continue on the right side following the asphalt road. At the fork, choose the right trail to reach Mount Gangziliao.

At the red signpost, there's another fork. Both paths lead to Mount Gangziliao. The right path is steeper with ropes, while the left path is a gentler asphalt road leading to another trailhead. I’d recommend taking the right path uphill and the left path downhill.

At this fork, I'd recommend going right and coming back left.

The right-side trailhead is equipped with ropes.

Soon after the rope section, you'll reach a ridge with even better views than the summit of Mount Ganziliao. The panoramic ocean view is breathtaking!

Panoramic view from the ridge line

Continue along the ridge and you'll quickly reach the summit of Mount Gangziliao (162 meters). Although the view is slightly obstructed by trees, it's still quite impressive.

The view from the top of Mt. Gangzilaio

Descend from the other side of the mountain. The slope is gentler here. After descending, you'll rejoin the asphalt road and head back to the public toilets. Continue forward to visit Gangziliao Fort.

Part of the Gangziliao Fort

Gangziliao Fort is quite large and offers stunning views.

The view from Gangziliao Fort

The view from Gangziliao Fort

Retrace your steps back to the public toilets and then descend along the Longgang Trail. At the junction with the trail map, choose the other trail to descend. There are about three forks along the way that connect to the North Creek Valley Trail, leading back to the trailhead. I chose the path marked D-E-F on the below map and returned to the archery range trailhead.

The Longgang Trail Map

Additional Tips

• Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months.
• Check the weather forecast before your hike as Keelung is prone to rain.
• Follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash.
• For your safety, please download the offline map and GPS tracks in advance to avoid getting lost.
• To extend your adventure, consider visiting nearby attractions like Badouzi, Heping Island, and Zhengbin Fishing Harbor after the half-day hike. These locations offer unique coastal views and historical sites.
• A 7-Eleven convenience store is located near the trailhead, allowing you to easily restock on water and other hiking essentials.