The trailhead of Keelung Mountain is located about 350 meters along the road at the entrance of Jiufen Old Street, with a parking lot right next to it. A prominent stone stele also marks the start of the trail. Keelung Mountain is so named because its shape resembles a huge chicken coop; in the past it was called “Chicken-coop Mountain,” later euphemistically changed to Keelung Mountain. In fact, it has little connection with the important northern-Taiwan port of Keelung, other than being relatively close in terms of location. Viewed from the side, it also looks like a reclining pregnant woman, hence it is also known as “Big-belly Beauty Mountain.”
Keelung Mountain was originally a conical extinct volcano. Its rock strata are hard, and year-round sea breezes and the northeasterly monsoon bring salty rain, so the mountain is sparsely wooded and covered with silvergrass. The summit is not high, but because it faces the coast, the view is broad and open, offering a full 360-degree panorama that makes one feel a lifetime of regret if the peak is not reached. The entire Keelung Mountain hiking trail to the top consists of stone steps; if there are young children or elderly people along, they can rest and catch their breath at the pavilions along the way.