Battleship Rock (軍艦岩) is located within National Yang Ming University in Beitou District, Taipei, with an elevation of 185.6 meters. It offers excellent views and panoramas. The summit rocks resemble a ship cutting through waves when viewed from a distance, hence the name Battleship Rock. With convenient access and diverse terrain, the trail has multiple branching paths that can be adjusted in length according to your preference. Since the elevation is not high, the overall ascent is minimal, making it ideal for beginners to practice single-day trail running.
Route Arrangement
Yang Ming University Trailhead → Yang Ming University Boundary Marker (round trip) → Fitness Area → Battleship Rock → Zhao Biao Training Area → Trailhead beside Rongyang Tunnel
Notes
1. There are many branching trails outside the main path at Battleship Rock; it is recommended to download offline maps.
2. Weekends tend to be crowded; starting from the trailhead near the tunnel may encounter fewer hikers.
For this trip, the socks used were FORSET TRAIL wool hiking socks, and the backpack was the MONSOON Trail Running Hydration Vest Pack.
Battleship Rock has multiple trailheads. The traditional one is inside Yang Ming University, where you can drive in and park on campus. From there, you can directly enjoy city views—a trail running oasis amid the concrete jungle.
The main trail has many stairs, while the branching paths offer more variation, often dirt paths with sandstone. To avoid crowds or practice trail running skills, it is recommended to take the side paths instead of the main trail.
The branch leading to the Yang Ming University boundary marker is mainly sandstone, evidence of the area's former coastal history, and offers good views along the way.
On the other side is the former American community, Wellington Villa, a place with distinct foreign charm.
The boundary marker is near the Yang Ming University playground; if the route feels too short and you want extra endurance training, you can run ten laps there.
On flat forested dirt paths, you can practice your running form and adapt to uneven terrain, using your body to feel the ground.
For trail running, it is generally recommended to use a vest-style backpack, which provides stability during intense running, while making it easier to access water and gear on the move.
In addition to natural terrain, there is a fitness area marked on the map, with some tires for mobility training, although it is essentially just a slightly larger open space.
No equipment is necessary; as we train manually, every movement is practiced thousands of times to gain basic proficiency. Looks like training will continue until dark.
The views from Battleship Rock are impressive, making you want to pause trail running for a moment and simply enjoy the scenery and take photos.
The rocks are somewhat elevated, so be mindful of safety when taking pictures.
For the return, we chose a non-main trail route, which is slightly steeper and has more unmarked branching paths, but the direction is generally easy to follow. Still, it is recommended to download offline maps as a precaution.
The non-main trail section has fewer hikers, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility of the forest and challenge your trail running skills.
After a short path segment, it reconnects with the main trail and leads down to the back of Rong General Hospital.
Finally, passing through Rongyang Tunnel, you return to Yang Ming University.
The route is short, not steep, and easily accessible, making it a perfect practice ground for beginners wanting to try trail running. This concludes our Battleship Rock trail running share. Thank you!
