Keelung｜Keelung Islet (Part 2) — Summit Trail × Island Lighthouse: Frame the Northeastern corner of the sea and sky in 360° of blue 💙🏝️

#SeptemberGoodPlaces2025 Keelung Island has so much to offer, there's so much to share, so Heinrich has divided it into three travel moments. This post focuses solely on the "hiking route" after landing on the island—climbing from the summit trail all the way to the ridgeline, and finally enjoying the ocean view by the Keelung Island Lighthouse. In the previous post, we took the coastal route (the harbor trail, the coastal trail, and the promenade). This time, we'll take to the mountains and sweat through the scenery. ⸻ • Location: Keelung Island (Ruifang, New Taipei City/Off the coast of Keelung) • Route: Landing → Entrance Interpretation Area → Summit Trail (approximately 1,200 steps) → Ridgeline Viewpoint → Keelung Island Lighthouse • Time Required: 60–90 minutes (for both ascent and descent, depending on walking speed and weather conditions; island-wide stops are scheduled by the ferry company) • Difficulty: Moderate to easy, with continuous steps and strong exposure to the sun. Elderly and children should proceed slowly. • Season: April–October is relatively stable; sailing is often suspended or shortened due to sea conditions during the northeast monsoon. • Essentials: Non-slip shoes, a sun hat, sunscreen, at least 500–1,000 ml of water, and a light jacket (sea breezes can get chilly). • Friendly reminder: Stay on controlled routes throughout the trip; do not cross railings, do not use drones, and take all trash home. ⸻ A Little Background | A "Vertical Reading" of a Volcanic Island Keelung Island is an isolated volcanic island. Its hard rock, carved by monsoon winds and wave action over the years, has resulted in the gray-black cliffs and ridges that plunge directly into the sea. In the past, the island housed military and lighthouse facilities, maintaining long-term control. In recent years, it has been opened seasonally for conservation purposes, with limited capacity. The summit trail allows us to explore the island's "vertical profile" with minimal disturbance: from sea level to the ridgeline, wind direction, salt spray, and vegetation layers all change chapters beneath our feet. ⸻ Actual Route | Step-by-Step Ascent Based on My Photos ① Entrance Warm-up: Signposts and First Rise Before embarking on the trail, you'll see a striking green sign (indicating approximately 1,200 steps). The first section is a series of steps arranged in a contoured pattern, with occasional glimpses of the ocean on the right. The key here is a steady pace: avoid explosive bursts of energy, and maintain a breathing rhythm that allows for conversation. Photography Tip: Keep the signpost or wooden railing in the foreground, while pushing the background back to the blue ocean and the island's mountains. The scale of the small figure and the large landscape tells the story best. ⸻ ② Middle Forest Belt: The sea breeze transforms sweat into the taste of salt As you ascend, the forest trees (pandanus) and shrubs on both sides become more numerous, their leaves sculpted into streamlines by the sea breeze. Looking back, the horizon resembles a stretched ribbon; waves glitter on the reef edge, and the blue of the northeast corner will naturally make you pull out your phone. Safety Tip: Most stairs are made of stone with metal edging and can be slippery after rain. Hold onto the railings, take small steps, and walk on the inside. ⸻ ③ Ridgeline View: 360° Sea and Clouds Upon reaching the gentle section of the ridgeline, the breeze suddenly picks up, and cloud shadows race across the sea. This is the perfect spot to pause for three minutes: drink water, catch your breath, and calm your heart. On clear days, you can gaze out over Keelung Harbor and the mountain curve, while on cloudy days, the clouds create a dramatic spectacle, each with its own unique character. Photography Tip: Use the wooden railing as a guide toward the sea; EV -0.3 preserves the layers of cloud and creates a more refreshing color palette. ⸻ ④ Keelung Island Lighthouse: A Vertical Landmark, the Eye of the Navigation A short distance further, you'll see the white island lighthouse at the end of the ridgeline, its simple and powerful appearance. This isn't a fancy lighthouse for sightseeing, but rather a crucial navigational aid for ships sailing at night and in dense fog. Standing in the open space next to the tower, the sound of the wind seemed to come from all directions simultaneously. Looking down, the seaside promenade and the gravel bay shrank into a few lines, and the sea line we walked along in the previous episode now became a map. Photography Tip: Stand about one-third of the way up the tower, facing the sea with your back to the sea. Or, zoom out to include the tower and the ridgeline. This will create a picture that captures the island's "vertical language." ⸻ 9 Reasons I Recommend Climbing the Lighthouse 1. A Complete Cross-Section of the Island: From sea level to the ridgeline, you can see it all at once. 2. Excellent Photographer: The stairs, railings, ridgeline, and tower all serve as natural compositional lines. 3. The sound of the wind is the soundtrack: No filters needed; the sea breeze itself embodies the emotion. 4. Manageable Time: 60–90 minutes round trip, easily arranged before or after embarking on the boat. 5. No Skill Required: The continuous stairs don't require any technical climbing; the key is steady breathing. 6. Rich seasonal expressions: Summer clouds are dramatic, autumn and winter are highly transparent. 7. Complementary with the sea route: The previous episode focused on the sea, this episode focuses on the top, providing a complete story. 8. Educational value: Along the way, you can observe wind-sheared vegetation, joint collapse, and sea erosion. 9. Just the right sense of accomplishment: It's not a hardcore adventure, but it offers a tremendous view. ⸻ Super Practical Guide (Pitfall Avoidance List)⚠️ • Time Management: If the boat operator has requested a 120–150-minute stop on the island, ascend the mountain first and then take the sea route; midday is the hottest time, so staggering is best. • Hydration and Electrolyte Replenishment: Due to strong sunlight, it's recommended to combine water with salt, sugar, or sports drinks, and wear sunscreen. • Shoes: Non-slip and comfortable are key; if it rains, stairs and areas with black algae are even more slippery, so go slow, steady, and hold onto the fence. • Don't cross the fence: Strong winds and landslides along the ridge are real, and the risk of beautiful photos isn't worth it. • Leave a trace: Light items (invoices, plastic bags) are most likely to be carried away by the sea breeze, so please pack them in your backpack. • Back-up: If the sea conditions deteriorate, you can switch to a boat trip around the island or to the harbor, and the trip will still be worthwhile. ⸻ Photography Cheat Sheet (Shoot Great Photos with Your Phone) 📸 • S-Shaped Stairs: Stand at the turning point and let the stairs form an S-curve in the frame, guiding the eye up the mountain. • People and Towers: Use a wide-angle lens to get close to the tower and move the subject back to create scale; or do the reverse to create a silhouette. • Ridgeline Blue Ribbon: Tuck the promenade and gravel bay into the lower third, and the ridgeline will resemble a painted blue ribbon. • Color Tone: The blue of Keelung Island is very pure. Avoid warming the white balance too much to retain the refreshing salty texture. ⸻ Post-flight Supplies | Food Review (with Address) Bisha Fishing Port Tourist Fish Market Address: No. 211, Beining Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City My Order: Mixed Sashimi, Grilled Shredded Fish, and Clam Soup Review: After climbing the stairs and enjoying the sea breeze, the fish market offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. The pick-up counters are clean, the prices are clearly marked, and the food is served quickly. ⸻ Suggested Itinerary (Uphill Version) Half-Day Highlights: Ascent → Ascend the Summit Trail → Rest and Photo Stop at the Lighthouse Platform → Descend the Mountain and Walk the Coastal Promenade (10-15 Minutes) → Return to the Harbor for a Fish Market Dinner Full-Day Version: Morning Summit + Coastal Route → Afternoon: Marine Science Museum/Chaojing Park → Dusk: Zhengbin Colorful Houses/Heping Island → Evening: Keelung Miaokou Night Market ⸻ My Real Experience What I Remember Most: The wind on the ridgeline: It blew sweat into a salty film and pushed the clouds into shape. Standing by the lighthouse and looking down, the coastline we walked on in the previous episode looked like two arcs folded on blue paper. I suddenly understood—Keelung Island isn't meant to be conquered, but rather to be slowly understood from different perspectives. Next time, I'll take you back to the beach to watch the waves, or on the clearest days of autumn and winter, to walk these blue steps again. 👏🏻 ⸻ Keelung Island Summit Trail | Keelung Island Lighthouse | Keelung Island Ridgeline Viewpoint | Bisha Fishing Harbor Tourist Fish Market (No. 211, Beining Road) | National Museum of Marine Science and Technology | Chaojing Park #KeelungIsland #SummitTrail #KeelungIslandLighthouse #NortheastCorner #Badouzi #Bisha Fishing Harbor #SeaBreezeandClouds #WuTanShanLin #Geotourism #KeelungTravel 🌊