Planning to hike one of Taiwan’s Baiyue (100 Peaks)? One of the first things to check is whether your route requires a permit.
Taiwan has two main types of hiking permits: a Park Entry Permit and a Mountain Entry Permit. Some routes require one, some require both, and some require no permit at all.
This guide explains the difference and how to apply.
1. Do I Need a Permit to Hike a Baiyue?
Not necessarily.
Being one of Taiwan’s Baiyue does not automatically mean that a mountain requires a permit. Permit requirements depend on the specific route and the areas it enters.
For example, several peaks in the Hehuan Mountain area, including Hehuan Main Peak, East Peak, North Peak, West Peak, and Shimen Mountain, can currently be hiked without either permit.
By contrast, many high-mountain routes inside ecological protected areas or restricted mountain areas require one or both permits.
Before planning your hike, always check the permit requirements for your specific route.
2. What Is a Park Entry Permit?
A Park Entry Permit is required for certain routes entering protected areas managed by Taiwan’s national parks, particularly Ecological Protected Areas.
This is different from simply entering a national park. Many scenic areas and regular hiking trails inside national parks are open without a permit.
For example, the Hehuan Mountain area is within Taroko National Park but is not part of its Ecological Protected Area, so several popular Baiyue routes there do not require a Park Entry Permit.
On Taiwan Hiking Guide, check the National Park Permit field on each trail page:
YES means a Park Entry Permit is required.
NO means it is not required for that route.
3. What Is a Mountain Entry Permit?
A Mountain Entry Permit is different from a Park Entry Permit.
Mountain Entry Permits are administered by Taiwan’s National Police Agency and apply to designated restricted mountain areas.
Because national park ecological protected areas and restricted mountain areas sometimes overlap, a hiking route may require both permits.
However, being a remote or high-altitude mountain does not automatically mean that a Mountain Entry Permit is required. The requirement depends on whether your route enters a designated restricted area.
On Taiwan Hiking Guide, check the Police Permit field on each trail page to see whether your route requires one.
4. Do I Need Both Permits?
Sometimes. A hiking route may require both a Park Entry Permit and a Mountain Entry Permit if it passes through both an Ecological Protected Area within a national park and a restricted mountain area.
The two permits serve different purposes and are managed by different authorities. Having one does not necessarily mean that you have the other.
Always check the requirements for your specific route before applying.
5. Permit Rules by National Park
Most permit-controlled Baiyue routes are found in three high-mountain national parks:
Yushan National Park
Yushan National Park includes Yushan (Jade Mountain), Taiwan’s highest mountain, as well as many other high-mountain routes.
Routes entering the park’s Ecological Protected Area require a Park Entry Permit.
The popular Yushan Main Peak two-day route normally includes an overnight stay at Paiyun Lodge, where accommodation is limited. This means planning a Yushan hike involves both the park-entry application and securing accommodation.
Foreign visitors have a special advance application option for the Yushan Main Peak two-day route. Currently, 24 spaces at Paiyun Lodge are reserved for foreign visitors from Sunday through Thursday, and eligible applications can be submitted 35 days to four months before the entry date.
This special quota does not apply to every Yushan route, so check the rules for your chosen itinerary.
Shei-Pa National Park
Shei-Pa National Park contains many popular Baiyue routes, including Xue Mountain and the Wuling Quadruple Mountains.
Many of these routes enter Ecological Protected Areas and require a Park Entry Permit. Overnight routes may also depend on the availability of designated cabins or campsites.
Application deadlines and route availability can change, especially during holidays, trail closures, typhoons, or other special conditions.
Always check the current route status and application window before making your travel plans.
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park includes the Nanhu, Qilai, Bilu, Yangtou and Hehuan mountain areas.
Permit requirements vary considerably by route.
Some routes require a Park Entry Permit, some require both Park and Mountain Entry Permits, while several Hehuan-area Baiyue require neither.
For example, current official information lists the Hehuan Main, East, North and West Peaks among routes that do not require permits, while routes in areas such as Nanhu may require both permits.
This is why you should check the individual trail, rather than assuming that every mountain inside Taroko National Park follows the same rules.
6. Applying as a Foreign Hiker
Foreign hikers can use the English version of Taiwan’s official Hike Smart Taiwan Service.
Before starting your application, prepare the information required for your route and group. This may include personal and contact information, your hiking itinerary, group member information, emergency contact details, and identification information.
Some foreign-visitor programs may also require proof of nationality, such as the photo page of a valid passport.
The exact requirements vary by route, so read the application notices shown for your selected itinerary before submitting your application.
If your route includes a cabin or campground, check availability before finalizing your travel plans.
Choose the appropriate national park and hiking route, then complete the required itinerary and participant information.
The system also allows you to save a draft before submitting your application.