A Guide to Applying for Hiking Permits to Trek the Popular High Mountains in Taiwan
The stunning scenery of the high mountains in Taiwan has attracted local and international hikers. However, most high mountain trails are within the national parks. Therefore, hikers need to apply for permits to hike those trails. Although there are English versions of how to apply for hiking permits on the national parks' websites, it is still confusing to understand the process.
Luckily, the National Parks decided to make the application process easier by updating the website and putting all the applications in one place. Some sections might still be confusing, and some don't have English translations, but at least they tried.
Affiliate disclaimer: Taiwan Hikes may include affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, you support our ability to continue providing FREE content — at no additional cost to you.
Table of Contents:
The New Application Website: Hike Smart Taiwan Service
Please remember to send your application to Hike Smart Taiwan Service 臺灣登山申請一站式服務網 between 7:00 - 23:00 (GMT+8).
Improvements on the New Permit Application Website
After using Hike Smart Taiwan Service 臺灣登山申請一站式服務網 for a while, there are several improvements.
Of course, there is still room to make the application process more user-friendly and easily understood. For example, it's not fully English-translated on the page of "National Trail."
Uncover Taiwan's hidden gems - hotels, restaurants, transport, and more — on 
Please do your homework before you hike those popular trails. Several local governments have specific regulations for activities in mountain areas. Please read the post Essential Guide to Hiking Regulations in Taiwan to avoid unnecessary hefty fines.
Your support empowers Taiwan Hikes to create more FREE content, making your hiking adventures in Taiwan even more enjoyable. Click "Buy Me A Coffee" or use our affiliate links to support.
How to Use the Hike Smart Taiwan Service to Apply for Hiking Permits
Since "Hike Smart Taiwan Service" has been improved and made more straightforward, I have only included a short video to help you understand how to use the website.
High Mountain Trails with Advanced or Priority Applications
The national parks provide advanced applications to accommodate international visitors' schedules and ensure they get cabin spots. Those spots are only available on weekdays, and there is a ratio requirement between foreign nationals and local Taiwanese guides.
Only a handful of high mountain trails provide advanced applications for foreign nationalities. Shei-pa National Park even excludes those foreign nationalities with APRC or ARC cards for advanced applications by asking applicants to provide flight tickets or passport records.
- Yushan National Park: Paiyun Lodge for the Yushan hike
- Shei-pa National Park: Qika Lodge for the Xueshan (Snow Mountain) hike
- Shei-pa National Park: Jiujiu Lodge for the Mt. Dabajian hike
- National Trail: Kuaigu Lodge for the Mt. Beidawu hike
- National Trail: Siangyang Cabin and Jiaming Lake Cabin for the Jiaming Lake trail
- National Trail: Tianchi Lodge for the Qilai Nanhua hike (This trail is closed till the end of December 2024.)
- Taroko National Park: Zhuilu Old Trail (Trail is closed due to the earthquake on the 3rd of April, 2024.)
Hiking Insurance and Regulations
Five local governments, Miaoli County, Taichung County, Nantou County, Hualien County, and Pingtung County, require hikers to purchase hiking insurance. Otherwise, hikers might get a hefty fine of up to NT$30,000.
One thing about hiking insurance in Taiwan is it doesn't cover the cost of flying with a helicopter. The rescue team will evaluate the patient's condition, the terrain, the weather, and other things to decide whether they can airlift the patient to the hospital.
So far, hikers don't have to pay for a helicopter if they need to be airlifted. This topic has been under debate for a while because some hikers abused these resources and caused several public outrages in the past.
The Most Popular High Mountains in Taiwan and The Detailed Routes
Those are the most popular high mountain trails in Taiwan. When applying for permits, you can use the routes below as a reference.
1. Yushan (Jade Mountain) Trail
Nobody can deny that Yushan (Jade Mountain), the highest mountain in Taiwan, is Taiwan's most popular hiking trail, aka most difficult to apply.
Day 1 Itinerary: Paiyun Mountaineering Service Center ➔ Tataka Trailhead ➔ Paiyun Lodge
Day 2 Itinerary: Paiyun Lodge ➔ Yushan Main Peak ➔ Paiyun Lodge ➔ Tataka Trailhead ➔ Paiyun Mountaineering Center
Day 2 Itinerary: Paiyun Lodge ➔ Yushan Main Peak ➔ Paiyun Lodge ➔ Tataka Trailhead ➔ Paiyun Mountaineering Center
2. Xueshan (Snow Mountain) Trail
Xueshan (Snow Mountain, Sylvia Mountain) is the second-highest mountain in Taiwan.
Day 1 Itinerary: Trailhead of Xue Mountain ➔ Qika Cabin ➔ East Peak of Xue Mountain ➔ Saliujiu Temporary Campground
Day 2 Itinerary: Main Peak of Xue Mountain ➔ Saliujiu Temporary Campground ➔ East Peak of Xue Mountain ➔ Qika Cabin ➔ Trailhead of Xue Mountain
Day 2 Itinerary: Main Peak of Xue Mountain ➔ Saliujiu Temporary Campground ➔ East Peak of Xue Mountain ➔ Qika Cabin ➔ Trailhead of Xue Mountain
3. Mt. Dabajian and Mt. Xiaobajian (Daba Peaks Trail)
Mt. Dabajian is the mountain depicted on Taiwan's $500 banknote.
Day 1 Itinerary: Trailhead of Daba Peaks Trail ➔ Trailhead of Madara Creek ➔ Jiujiu Cabin
Day 2 Itinerary: Jiujiu Cabin ➔ Jiali Mountain ➔ Yizhe Mountain ➔ Jhongba Hut ➔ Dabajian Mountain ➔ Xiaobajian Mountain ➔ Dabajian Mountain ➔ Jhongba Hut ➔ Yizhe Mountain ➔ Jiujiu Cabin
Day 3 Itinerary: Jiujiu Cabin ➔ Trailhead of Madara Creek ➔ Trailhead of Daba Peaks Trail
Day 2 Itinerary: Jiujiu Cabin ➔ Jiali Mountain ➔ Yizhe Mountain ➔ Jhongba Hut ➔ Dabajian Mountain ➔ Xiaobajian Mountain ➔ Dabajian Mountain ➔ Jhongba Hut ➔ Yizhe Mountain ➔ Jiujiu Cabin
Day 3 Itinerary: Jiujiu Cabin ➔ Trailhead of Madara Creek ➔ Trailhead of Daba Peaks Trail
4. Jiaming Lake Trail (Traditional Route)
See the post of Jiaming Lake for details.
Route 1:
Day 1 Itinerary: Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area ➔ Siangyang Cabins
Day 2 Itinerary: Siangyang Cabin ➔ Sancha intersection ➔ Siangyang Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin Installation ➔ Sancha Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite
Day 3 Itinerary: Jiaming Lake Cabins / Jiaming Lake Campsite ➔ Siangyang Cabin ➔ Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area
Day 1 Itinerary: Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area ➔ Siangyang Cabins
Day 2 Itinerary: Siangyang Cabin ➔ Sancha intersection ➔ Siangyang Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin Installation ➔ Sancha Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite
Day 3 Itinerary: Jiaming Lake Cabins / Jiaming Lake Campsite ➔ Siangyang Cabin ➔ Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area
Route 2:
Day 1 Itinerary: Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area ➔ Siangyang Cabins ➔ Sancha intersection ➔ Siangyang Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite
Day 2 Itinerary: Jiaming Lake Cabin ➔ Sancha Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite
Day 3 Itinerary: Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite ➔ Siangyang Cabin ➔ Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area
Day 1 Itinerary: Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area ➔ Siangyang Cabins ➔ Sancha intersection ➔ Siangyang Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite
Day 2 Itinerary: Jiaming Lake Cabin ➔ Sancha Mountain ➔ Jiaming Lake ➔ Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite
Day 3 Itinerary: Jiaming Lake Cabin/Jiaming Lake Campsite ➔ Siangyang Cabin ➔ Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area
5. Qilai Nanhua (Trail Closed)
The Qilai Nanhua: Mt. Qilai South Peak and Mt. Nanhua Trail is closed due to landslides. The route and trailhead have been changed, too (an update is coming soon.)
Another popular high mountain is Hehuanshan, but it's easy to access and requires no permits. So, Hehuanshan is not discussed here.
How to Hike All 100 Peaks in Taiwan
If you aim to hike other 100 Peaks trails in Taiwan, please check out the post How to Complete 100 Peaks to see how to group those mountains and plan your hikes.
Hire Me: Simplify Your Taiwan Hike with Our Services
Tackling the intricacies of permit applications and deciphering public transport routes in Taiwan can be daunting. We're here to make your hiking adventure hassle-free.
Our service takes care of all the nitty-gritty details, from permit applications to transportation arrangements, weather reminders, and more. Let us handle the complexities, so you can focus on the breathtaking trails and unforgettable experiences. Visit Taiwan Hikes Shop or click the button below for all the details.
Disclaimer:
All content provided is for inspirational and informational purposes only. Creating, using, hiking, or traveling with Taiwan Hikes' suggested services or itineraries is at your own risk. Please use your best judgment and follow all safety precautions, as Taiwan Hikes and Anusha Lee are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from using this information.
Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
All content provided is for inspirational and informational purposes only. Creating, using, hiking, or traveling with Taiwan Hikes' suggested services or itineraries is at your own risk. Please use your best judgment and follow all safety precautions, as Taiwan Hikes and Anusha Lee are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from using this information.
Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
