How to Get Hiking Permits in Taiwan: The Complete Application Guide for Foreign Hikers

Everything You Need to Know About Park Entry Permits, Mountain Entry Permits & Mountain Hut Reservations in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s high mountains are breathtaking — but the permit system can feel like a maze. Between park entry permits, mountain entry permits, and a mix of lotteries and first-come-first-served systems for huts, even locals get confused.

This guide will walk you through the essentials, focusing on hikes over 3,000m and the famous Baiyue (Taiwan’s 100 Peaks), many of which require permits due to their location in national parks or restricted mountain areas.

Types of Permits

​​Before diving into the details of each permit, here’s a simple flowchart that shows how the application process works from start to finish.

This will give you a clear picture of the order: Park Entry Permit and hut/campsite reservations first, followed by the Mountain Entry Permit, and finally you’re ready to hit the trail.

Park Entry Permit (入園證)

Required for entering ecological protection zones within Taiwan’s three national parks:

• Yushan National Park (玉山國家公園)
• Shei-Pa National Park (雪霸國家公園)
• Taroko National Park (太魯閣國家公園)

🚶‍♀️ Trail Availability & Quotas

Whether you’re planning a single-day hike or a multi-day expedition, all trails within these parks have daily quotas.

🔗 Check availability here:

• Yushan 1-Day Route
• Yushan Cabin & Campground
• Shei-Pa Trails Availability
• Taroko Trails Availability

📅 Application Opening Times

Check Application Window for Selected Route on the Hike Smart Taiwan. It shows the exact dates each trail opens for permit applications. (See the images below for instructions)

🥾 Single-day hikes

• Lottery System: Applies to Yushan 1-Day Routes (Main Peak, East Peak, North Peak, West Peak). 
• First-Come-First-Served: Applies to other routes. 

🏕️ Multi-day Hikes

• If your itinerary includes overnight stays in huts or campgrounds, you must apply for both the Park Entry Permit and accommodation together.
• If any required accommodation is unavailable, your application will be rejected.
• For more details, see the Mountain Hut & Campsite Reservations section below.

⚠️ Changes & Cancellations

Once your permit is approved, it’s almost locked — only cancellations are possible.

• Before approval:
  • Basic info (e.g. address, email) can be updated online.
  • Major changes (date, hut, members) require cancellation and reapplication.
• After approval:
  • No changes allowed to dates or team members. You can only cancel (individual or entire group). 
  • Adding members requires a new application.

Mountain Entry Permit (入山證)

Required for entering restricted mountain areas. 

If your route requires both permits, you need to obtain the Park Entry Permit before applying for the Mountain Entry Permit.

📝 How to Apply

There are three ways to apply for a Mountain Entry Permit.

1. Together with Park Entry Permit
   • Most common and convenient.
   • More info: If I already received a Park Entry Permit, how do I apply for a Mountain Entry Permit?
2. Online self-application
   • Apply 3 – 124 days before your hike.
   • Processing time: a few working days.
   • Application Portal: Mountain Entry Permit Application
3. In-person at a police station near the trailhead
   • Can be done even on the same day as your hike.
   • Takes 10–20 minutes.
   • Not all stations are open 24/7 — check hours in advance.
   • More info: How to apply for the Mountain Entry Permit from the National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior?

Important Notes of Permits

• Both permits are free of charge.
• Not All Routes Require Permit. Some routes are permit-free (No Park Entry or Mountain Entry required), including:
  • Hehuanshan peaks (Main Peak, East Peak, North Peak, West Peak)
  • Shimen Mountain
  • Pingfeng Mountain (hut application needed if staying in Pingfeng Hut)
  • Baigu Mountain
  • Ganzhuowan Traverse
• Each trail has different permit requirements, please check route status and permit requirements here: Current Status of Trails. (See the tutorial picture below)

Mountain Hut & Campsite Reservations

Authorities & Application Platforms

Applying for mountain huts in Taiwan can be tricky, especially for foreigners. The system is split between two authorities:

🏞️ National Parks (Yushan, Shei-Pa, Taroko)

• Application Portal: Hike Smart Taiwan 
• Possible to apply for Park Entry Permits, Mountain Entry Permit, and huts/campsites in one go. 
• Permit will only be approved if you successfully reserve all required accommodations. If one hut is full, your entire application may be rejected.

🌲 Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency

Manages huts outside national parks. These must be applied for separately via their own websites:

• Siangyang Cabin (向陽山屋) & Jiaming Lake Cabin (嘉明湖山屋): https://jmlnt-en.forest.gov.tw/
• Tianchi Lodge (天池山莊): https://tconline.forest.gov.tw/
• Kuaigu Lodge (檜谷山莊) https://kgonline-en.forest.gov.tw

Reservation Systems: Lottery vs First-Come-First-Served

There are two main systems: Lottery and First-Come-First-Served. 

Some huts use a lottery system (see table below), while most others are first-come-first-served.

Note: NP = National Park

Application Timelines & Rules

Yushan National Park

📝 Application

1. Lottery
   • Before Lottery: From 2 months before hike up to the lottery date (which is held 1 month before the hike).
   • After Lottery: If you missed the lottery or didn’t win, you can still apply until 5 days before your hike date. These late applications are placed on a waitlist and processed in order of submission until all slots are filled. Applications submitted within 5 days of the hike will not be accepted.
   • Lottery held 1 month before the hike date. Check: Yushan Lottery Schedule.
   • Lottery results will be announced by email/SMS. Or check the Yushan Draw Result.
2. First-Come-First-Served
   • Apply 2 months to 5 days before hike.

🌍 Foreign Quota at Paiyun Lodge

• 24 reserved spaces per night (Sunday – Thursday only)
• Apply 4 months to 35 days before hike
• More info: How do foreign visitors apply for the reserved spaces at Paiyun Lodge when hiking the Yushan Main Peak Route?

🔄 Team Changes

• Leader: Change allowed once, up to 1 days before entry (excluding holidays) (foreign leader must be replaced by foreigners)
• Members: Cannot be changed, only removed
• Solo hikers: Can only cancel if unable to attend. Changing the leader is not allowed.

ℹ️ More Info

• Yushan National Park Important Notices for Park Entry
• Yushan National Park Application Regulations and Notices

Shei-Pa National Park

📝 Application

• All huts use first-come-first-served
• Apply 2 months to 5 days before hike

🌍 Foreign quota

• Applies to: Qika Cabin, Saliujiu (369) Cabin, Jiujiu (99) Cabin
• 24 reserved spaces per night (Sunday – Thursday only)
• Apply 4 months to 65 days before hike

🔄 Team Changes

• Leader: Change allowed once, up to 1 days before entry (excluding holidays) (foreign leader must be replaced by foreigners)
• Members: Cannot be changed, only removed
• Solo hikers: Can only cancel if unable to attend. Changing the leader is not allowed.

ℹ️ More Info

• Shei-Pa National Park Important Notices for Park Entry
• Shei-Pa National Park Application Regulations and Notices

Taroko National Park

📝 Application

• All huts use first-come-first-served.
• Apply 2 months to 5 days before hike

🔄 Team Changes:

• Leader: Change allowed once, up to 3 days before entry (excluding holidays) (foreign leader must be replaced by foreigners)
• Members: Cannot be changed, only removed.
• Solo hikers: Can only cancel if unable to attend. Changing the leader is not allowed.

ℹ️ More Info

• Taroko National Park Important Notice for Park Entry
• Taroko National Park Application Regulations and Notices

Foreign Quota

Important Rules for Overseas Visitors

If you’re planning to apply for the foreign quota, here are the key rules you need to know:

• Who can apply: Only short-term foreign tourists with an overseas address. Exchange students and foreigners residing in Taiwan must use the Standard Application instead.
• Documents required: Proof of short-term stay must be provided (such as flight ticket or passport entry stamp) to confirm eligibility.
• Application window:
  • Foreign quota applications are open from 4 months before exit date until 65 days before entry date. When submitting your application, please select Foreign Advanced Application.
  • After this period, the Foreign Advanced Application no longer applies — you’ll need to apply through the Standard Application together with local applicants for the remaining spots.

Application Timeline for Foreign Quota

Foreign hikers have a dedicated quota for some specific huts (weekdays only, Sunday – Thursday).

For other mountain huts, applications can be submitted from 2 months before entry until 5 days prior, daily between 07:00–23:00 (Taiwan time).

Note: 

• Foreigners can apply up to 4 months in advance only for the 2-day Tataka–Yushan Main Peak route. 
• For all other itineraries — even if they include Paiyun Lodge — the standard application window of 2 months to 5 days applies.

Mountain Hut & Campsite Fees

Some mountain huts require a fee, while the rest are free of charge.

Note: 

• Holiday rates apply on Fridays, Saturdays, and the day before national holidays or consecutive holidays.
• Based on experience, reducing the recommended tent occupancy by one person usually makes for a more comfortable stay.

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Taiwan’s hiking permits may feel complex, but with early planning you’ll be ready to enjoy some of Asia’s most stunning high-mountain trails.

👉 Want to learn more about Taiwan’s 100 Peaks (Baiyue)? Check out our guide: Unlocking Taiwan’s 100 Peaks (Baiyue): What They Are and How to Start Your Journey

✨ If this guide helped you explore Taiwan a little deeper, a coffee encourages me to keep unlocking more hidden gems to share. 👇