Taroko National Park World Wide Web-English VersionTaroko National Park World Wide Web-English Version

The classification system of hiking trails in Taroko National Park:
Grade 0-5

Classification Type of Trail Suitable Hikers Equipment Required

Grade 0 Trail: Level 0 trails are flat, well maintained, and fairly level. Complete facilities and information are available. The trails are suitable for all ages without restriction. 

Grade 0 Trail: Taroko Terrace Trails

 

Grade 1 (Scenic) Trails are flat, and fairly level. A minumum (some water) or no equipment is required and the trail can be completed in less than half a day.

Grade 1 (Scenic) Trails are:

Provincial HIghway No. 9:
Chongde Tunnel North Opening Trail, and Huide Trail

Provincial Highway No. 8:
Xiaozhuilu Trail, Shakadang Trail, Buluowan Lower Terrace Meander Core Trail, Swallow Grotto Trail, Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail, Lushui Trail, Baiyang Trail


Grade 2 (Hiking) Trail may be some change in elevation. You should be in relatively good shape for these trails, take along light provisions such as water and some food and the trails can be completed in a half day. 

Grade 2 (Hiking) Trails are:

Eternal Spring Shrine (Changchun Shrine) Trail and Idas Trail at Buluowan 

Grade 3 trails are located in high mountain areas or the distance is relatively longer. The trail markings are clear bu may be rough in some sections. Only those who are in good shape should attempt these trails and should have basic map reading ability. Take along water, light provisions, maps, extra clothing, basic medicines, a flashlight and where indicated accessories for staying overnight such as a tent and sleeping bag. The time for these trails is generally one or more than one day. 

Grade 3 Trails are:

1. No need for any permits:
Dali-Datong Trail (required a 2-day trip for Datong), Lushui-Wenshan Trail, Huoran Pavilion Trail.

2. Park Entry Permit required:
Zhuilu Old Road, Mt. Yangtou Day Ascent, Mt. Shuan Trail

Grade 4 and 5 (Mountaineering) Trails are located with Eco-protection areas (application required 5 days or 2-month before entering) where the path is not well marked or where there have been natural landslides that may have recovered the trail in some places. Permits are required. You must have experience in the outdoors. You should take complete mountaineering equipment with you,  including food, water (sufficient to last serveral days), map, warm clothes, and lighting, tent.)

Grade 4 (Mountaineering) Trail:

1. No need for any permits at/near Mt. Hehuan area:

Mt. Pingfeng, Mt. Hehuan Main Peak, Mt. Hehuan North Peak,  Mt. Hehuan West Peak (required 10-12 hours a round trip), Mt. Shimen, Mt. Xiaoqilai (0-1.4 km trail section, This trail beyond 1.4 km required a park entry permit application prior to your visit.)

2. Park Entry Permit required:
Mt. Bilu Trail, Mt. Bilu to Mt. Yangtou Traverse Trail, Mt. Qingshui

3. Both Park and Mountain Entry Permit required:
Mt. Nanhu Trail, North Section 1 (The Nanhu Peaks or Nanhu to Zhongyangjian route)

Grade 5 (Challenging) Trail:

Within the restricted mountain areas, ecological protection areas, or remote mountain areas (application required before entering), fit and experienced hikers with map-reading and wildness survival knowledge. Most trails are in the wilderness without artificial construction. Some parts of the trails may have disappeared from natural collapse or destruction. Prepare complete mountaineering equipment. (Food, water, map, warm clothes and lighting, tent for several days.)

1. Park Entry Permit required:
 Mts. Qilai, Mt. Qilai North/ Main Peaks, Qilai East Ridge, Qilai South Peak.

2. Both Park and Mountain Entry Permit required:
North Section 2 (Mt. Shuan to Mt. Lingming to Ganshu Peak route)

*Note: Trails are often destroyed during earthquakes and heavy rains. Please call for updated trail conditions. Please consult our website for details of highway and trail opening conditions: https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/ "News/Roads and Trails" 


* For further information, please contact:

(Tel): +886-3-862-1100

(Tel): +886-3-862-1576 (Park entry permits application contact phone)

(Fax): +886-3-862-1523

Or please check our "Online Application for the Park Entry Permits" website: https://npm.nps.gov.tw/en/sitemap.aspx


For the latest trail and highway opening conditions, please get on our website “News>Roads and Trails” for more details before your visit.

 

Note:

FAQ: Which sections of the Taroko Gorge are still closed after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on April 3, 2024? Can I take the easy (Grade 1) trails (hikes)? What are the closed trails?

Answer: The Grade 1 (easy) trails are still closed. The eastern side of Taroko National Park, including the Taroko~Tianxiang Gorge section, sustained severe damage from the 403 Earthquake on April 3, 2024. As a result, Grade 1 (including Grade 0), Grade 2, and some Grade 3 trails and scenic spots along Provincial Highway 8 remain closed. It is not safe to visit. Please do NOT enter unless absolutely necessary. Due to the higher risk of rockfalls after earthquakes, it is recommended to re-plan your trip to visit areas in Taiwan that have not been affected by earthquakes for your safety.

 

The following trails are closed due to severe damage from the 403 earthquake in 2024.

A: The trails are closed from Taroko to Tianxiang (Taroko Gorge section) road section on Provincial Highway 8 (Central Cross-Island Highway) at the east side of the park.

 

Grade 0: (1) Taroko Terrace Trail (located at Taroko National Park Headquarters Visitor Center)

Grade 1: (1) Shakadang Trail, Buluowan Lower Terrace Trail: (2) Meander Core trail and (3) Idas trail (Idas trail, including Buluowan suspension bridge), (4) Yanzikou trail (Swallow Grotto trail), (5) Tunnel of Nine Turns trail (Jiuqudong trail), (6) Lushui trail, and (7) Baiyang trail.

Grade 2 trails: (1) Dekalun trail, (2) Xiaozhuilu trail, (3) Eternal Spring Shrine trail (Changchun Shrine trail), (4) Huoran Pavilion trail.

Grade 3 trails: (1) Zhuilu Old Road, (2) Lushui-Wenshan trail, (3) Dali-Datong trail

Grade 4 trails: (1) Mt. Qingshui trail

 

B: The trails are closed on the Provincial Highway 9 (Su-hua Highway).

Grade 1: (1) Chongde trail, (2) Huide trail.)

Please check Question 3 for details and re-plan your trip in Taiwan.

 

Entry to Mt. Nanhu and Mt. Qilai Areas Ecological Protection Areas in Taroko requires a permit.



1.Nanhu Mountain Area (Required both a park entry permit and a mountain enry permit)

Nanhu－Mt. Zhongyangjian Tour Suggestion

Day 1: Siyuan Akou－Miaopu－Mountain Entrance－Mt. Duojiatun－Mugan Hill－Yuleng Cabin

Day 2: Yuleng Cabin － Mt. Shenmazhen－Mt. Nanhu North Peak － Wuyan Peak－ Nanhu Cirque

Day 3: Nanhu Cirque －Mt. Nanhu－Mt. Nanhu East Peak－Tousai Peak－Nanhu Hut

Day 4: Nanhu Hut－Mt. Nanhu South Peak－Zhongyangjian River Cabin

Day 5: Jhongyangjian River Hut－Mt. Jhongyangjian－Jhongyangjian River Cabin

Day 6: Jhongyangjian River Cabin－Nanhu River Cabin－Mugan Saddle－Mt. Duojiatun

－Trailhead



2. Qilai Mountain Area (Required a park entry permit )

Qilai Mountains Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Songxue Lodge－Heishuitang hut (2710m Hill)－Chenggong Cabin

Day 2: Chenggong Cabin－Chenggong No. 1 Hut－Chenggong Cabin－Mt. Qilai N. Peak－Chenggong Cabin

Day 3: Qilai Cabin－Mt. Qilai－Mt. Kaluolou－Mt. Qilaili Eastern Campground

Day 4: Mt. Qilaili Eastern Campground－Mt. Qilaili－Mt. Qilai S. Peak forked road－Qilai S. Peak－Fork Road－Tianchi (Tian Pond)－Mt. Nanhua－Tianchi (Tian Pond)－Tianchi (Tian Pond) Hut

Day 5: Tianchi (Tian Pond) Hut－Yunhai－Tunyuan－Lushan



3. Hehuan Mountain Area (No permit needed)

It is recommended that you use Songxue Lodge as your base for hiking in neighboring mountains since most areas (except some high mountains) can be reached by car.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1: Dayuling－Mt. Shimen－Mt. Hehuanjian －Mt. Hehuan East Peak－Songxue Lodge

Day 2: Songxue Lodge－Mt. Hehuan North Peak － Mt. Hehuan West Peak －Songxue Lodge

Note:
1. Mt. Hehuan North Peak and Mt. Hehuan West Peak require at least 11-12.5 hours for a round trip. Please do evaluate your physical conditions before hiking for these two trails. 
2. The Mt. Hehuan North Peak trail requires a four-hour round trip (out and back).  



4.Inquiries Service:

Tel: +886-3-8621576, +886-4-25991195 (Mt. Hehua Service Station of the Taroko National Park)

Fax: +886-3-8621523



5.Note: Since the Hehuan Mountain Area is not part of the Ecological Protection Area in the Taroko National Park, you aren't required to apply for a Park Entry Permit. 


6.You can refer to this page for detailed information.  Tourism Info/ Trails/ Level 3-5 trails, https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/AttractionTrail.aspx?type=Trail&n=7900&sms=11273

Generally speaking, you do not need a permit to visit Taroko National Park if you stay on or near the main highways that run through the park (Provincial Highways 8 and 9).

Permits not required: The most commonly-visited landmarks and trails are usually located in the Special Scenic Area for which no permits and no fees (except Zhuilu Old Road) are needed, and visitors can come and go as they please (pending special traffic restrictions). These areas include: Chongde Trail, Huide Trail, Dekalun Trail, Xiaozhuilu Trail, Shakadang Trail, Buluowan Upper Terrace Trail, Buluowan Lower Terrace Meander Core Trail, Lushui Trails, Baiyang Trail, Changchun (Eternal Spring) Shrine, Swallow Grotto Trail, Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail, Huoran Pavilion, Xiangde Temple Trail at Tianxiang, Dali and Datong, Lushui-Wenshan Trails. Additionally, the Mt. Hehuan Main and East Peaks, Mt. Shimen, Mt. Hehuanjian, Mt. Xiaoqilai, Mt. Hehuan North Peak, Mt. Hehuan West Peak as well as Mt. Pingfeng do not require any permits.

Permits required: If you travel more than 50 metres away from Provincial Highways 8 or 9, or are in a restricted area, you will need to apply for a Park Access Permit ahead of your planned visit. Additionally, if you plan on conducting research or plan on entering a Cultural/historic Area or Ecological Protection Areas, you will need to apply for an appropriate park permit beforehand. Some trails are requied a Mountain Entry Permit as well as. Most high-mountain trails fall within this category. The Zhuilu Old Road is required a park entry permit.

Check Zhuilu Old Road entry fee details, please consult our website: https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/ Announcements/Fees and Permit
for the online application. 

Approved Mountain Access Permits allows the authorized persons to access mountainous areas that are within the restricted zone. Mountain Access Permits are managed by the National Police Agency. Sometimes, these areas overlap with the Ecological Protection Area of some of Taiwan's National Parks. A second Park Access Permit is needed to access overlapped areas. The Park Access Permits are jointly managed by the high-mountain National Parks of Taiwan (Sheipa, Taroko, Yushan):

Only trails listed under "Grade 4 and Grade 5" (Mountaineering Trails) may require one or more permits, including "Grade 3" (Zhuilu Old Road- Park Entry Permit Required). Trails listed under “Grade 1"(Scenic Trails) or “Grade 2" (Hiking Trails), in addition to all Scenic Spots require no permits whatsoever. Specifically (not exhaustive):


Both Park Permit and Mountain Permits required:
• Mt. Nanhu
• Mt. Nanhu – Mt. Zhongyangjian (North Section 1)
• North Section 1 to 2 (via Mt. Wuyan)
• Other (non-traditional) routes (Entry Eco-Protection Areas and Yilan County premises)


Park Access Permit only:
• Mt. Yangtou
• Mt. Qingshui
• Zhuilu Old Road
• North Section 2
• Mt. Shuan – Mt. Lingming
• Mt. Shuan (single day ascent)
• North Section 1 to 2 (not including Mt. Wuyan)
• Mt. Yangtou (single day ascent)
• Mt. Bilu – Mt. Yangtou
• Mt. Bilu (single day ascent)
• Mt. Qilai Main/North Peak
• Mt. Qilai Range
• Mt. Qilai South Peak
• Qilai East Ridge
• Other (non-traditional) routes (Entry the Park's Ecological Protection Areas)

No permits needed:
• Mt. Hehuan Main Peak
• Mt. Hehuan East Peak
• Mt. Hehuanjian
• Mt. Shimen (Main and North Peaks)
• Mt. Xiaoqilai
• Mt. Hehuan North Peak
• Mt. Hehuan West Peak (Required 12-14 hours)

No camping allowed at Mt. Hehuan area.
• Mt. Pingfeng
• Dali-Datong Trail
• Lushui-Wenshan Trail

Alternatively, please visit our website for a list of which trails need which permits: https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/  Announcements/Fees &Permits

Only trails listed under "Grade 4 and Grade 5" (Mountaineering Trails) may require one or more permits, including "Grade 3" (Zhuilu Old Road- Park Entry Permit Required). Trails listed under “Grade 1"(Scenic Trails) or “Grade 2" (Hiking Trails), in addition to all Scenic Spots require no permits whatsoever. Specifically (not exhaustive):


Both Park Permit and Mountain Permits required:
• Mt. Nanhu
• Mt. Nanhu – Mt. Zhongyangjian (North Section 1)
• North Section 1 to 2 (via Mt. Wuyan)
• Other (non-traditional) routes (Entry Eco-Protection Areas and Yilan County premises)


Park Access Permit only:
• Mt. Yangtou
• Mt. Qingshui
• Zhuilu Old Road
• North Section 2
• Mt. Shuan – Mt. Lingming
• Mt. Shuan (single day ascent)
• North Section 1 to 2 (not including Mt. Wuyan)
• Mt. Yangtou (single day ascent)
• Mt. Bilu – Mt. Yangtou
• Mt. Bilu (single day ascent)
• Mt. Qilai Main/North Peak
• Mt. Qilai Range
• Mt. Qilai South Peak
• Qilai East Ridge
• Other (non-traditional) routes (Entry the Park's Ecological Protection Areas)

No permits needed:
• Mt. Hehuan Main Peak
• Mt. Hehuan East Peak
• Mt. Hehuanjian
• Mt. Shimen (Main and North Peaks)
• Mt. Xiaoqilai
• Mt. Hehuan North Peak
• Mt. Hehuan West Peak (Required 12-14 hours)

No camping allowed at Mt. Hehuan area.
• Mt. Pingfeng
• Dali-Datong Trail
• Lushui-Wenshan Trail

Alternatively, please visit our website for a list of which trails need which permits: https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/  Announcements/Fees & Permits

Both Park Access Permits and Mountain Access Permits and their registrations are free of charge. All other areas of the park (scenic spots, level 0-6 trails) are similarly free of charge. However, a ticket (NT$200) is required to enter Zhuilu Old Road (required a Park Entry Permit). Please consult our Fees website for more details: https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/ Announcements and Regulations /Fees and permits
Online Application for a Park Entry Permit: https://hike.taiwan.gov.tw/en/web_index.aspx

You can make an application through the Online Application for Taiwan National Park Permits website. From the below link, you can find out the application window dates by using the widget located on the lower right of the web page. For all routes, the application window opens two-month before the intended hiking start date. Applicants can prepare a draft of their application before this date, which is saved on the system for up to 5 full days after the draft was last modified. The system accepts applications daily from 07:00 to 23:00 in the order which they are received: https://npm.nps.gov.tw/

Revisions to the "Notes on Application for Entry into Taroko National Park Ecological Reserve and Existing Use Area (General Controlled Area)" will be implemented starting July 1, 2021. The process for entry applications is modified from the current maximum of 30 days prior to entry and extended to a two-month in advance application. Entry applications for all trails within the Taroko National Park Ecological Protection Area and other Existing Use Area (General Controlled Area) may be applied for two months before entry.

Notice:

A: Qilai (Main/North Peaks, Range from North to South Peak, South Peak, East Ridge); Nanhu (out-and-back to Nanhu Cabin, North Section 1); North Section 1 (Mts. Nanhu and Zhongyangjian), North Section 2 (Y-route, Mt. Shuan/Mt. Lingming, Mt. Shuan Day Ascent); North Sections 1 and 2 traverse; Bilu-Yangtou Traverse; Mt. Qingshui; Other non-traditional routes. The application window opens five days – 2 months before the date of intended entry (closing at 3 pm, five days before the date of planned entry). Applications can be made five days before at 3:00 pm to two months before entering the park, and it is possible to apply for a continuous day trip.

B: Mt. Yangtou Day Ascent, Mt. Bilu Day Ascent: The application window opens three days to 2 months before entry (closing at 3 pm, three days before the date of intended entry). Applications can be made three days before at 3:00 pm to 2 months before entering the park, and it is possible to apply for a continuous day trip.

C: Zhuilu Old Road Day Ascent (out-and-back to 3.1 km): Application window opens one day to two months before entry (closing at 3 pm, one day before the date of intended entry).

D: Zhuilu Old Road Day Ascent (out-and-back to 3.1 km) for Foreign Visitors:

Foreign Visitors may apply up to 4 months ahead
Starting 01 September 2019, foreign visitors are able to submit applications 35 days - 4 months before date of entry via the “Online Application for Taiwan National Park Permits” website. We hope that the new measures will allow more foreign visitors to experience the exquisite scenery within Taroko Gorge. Please contact our Recreation and Services Section (Tel：+886-3-8621576 or +886-3-8621100 ext. 605; Office Hours: Mon – Fri 08:30 – 12:30; 13:30 – 17:30) or review the following details if you wish to apply through this method:

(1): Application window: 35 days to 4 months prior to the date of intended entry (date of intended entry restricted to between Monday – Thursday)
(2): Application Website: Through the English version of the “Online Application for Taiwan National Park Permits” website https://hike.taiwan.gov.tw/en/web_index.aspx
(3): Restrictions: Applicants can submit one application (maximum 12 persons per application) for Zhuilu Old Road per date of intended entry. An applicant can be a team member or a team leader only once per day (e.g. one cannot be a member of a team and the leader of another team on the same day.) All team members must possess foreign nationality; please upload the photo page of your valid passport or a resident ID Card as proof.
(4): Once an application has been approved, the date of entry and the names of all team members (including the leader, team members, and the emergency coordinator) cannot be altered, and additional team members cannot be added to the same application. Cancellation (for an individual or for the entire party, excluding the team leader) can be accepted. Separate applications should be submitted if additional members wish to hike on the same date of intended entry.
(5): Standby Measure: There will be no standby measures (i.e. waitlist) for foreign visitor applications to Zhuilu Old Road. All applicants regardless of nationality are welcome to apply through the standard application window (1 – 30 days before date of intended entry) if the quota for foreign visitors has already been reached.

E: All application cases are filed by the time of online application. Please refer to the latest revision of the "Important Notices on Application for Entry into the Park Ecological Protection Areas and Other Existing Use Area (General Controlled Area) " for more information.

You can apply for the Mountain Access Permit in three ways:

A. If you have already received your Park Entry Permit, you can automatically transfer your details from the Park Permit application to the Police Mountain Permit application. To do this, on the Online Application for Taiwan National Park Permits website, please go to: Online Application > Check Status/Print Permit/Apply for Mountain Permit > [Enter in your details] > Apply Mountain (Police) Permit. This option should be the second of four, on the bottom of the main column. The processing time for the application should be a few working days. This options is only available 5-30 working days before the starting date of your hike: https://hike.taiwan.gov.tw/en/web_index.aspx

B. You can obtain a Mountain Access Permit in-person by visiting a police station nearby the trail entrance. This can be done any day up to the day of the hike, and should take 10-20 minutes. Note that most police stations are not open 24 hours, so it is best to check their opening hours before arriving. Please visit our website for a list of which police stations can process which trails: https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/Announcements and Regulations/Fees & Permits

C. You can apply for the Police Mountain Permit online by yourself. The processing time for the application should be a few working days. This option is only available 5-30 days before the starting date of your hike. Registration for a restricted mountain areas entry permit is done online through this link: https://nv2.npa.gov.tw/NM103-604Client/ 

Most mountaineering routes, as well as Zhuilu Old Road, require advanced application before departure. The application window varies by route:
5-30 days before entry:
• Mt. Nanhu
• Mt. Nanhu – Mt. Zhongyangjian (North Section 1)
• North Section 2
• Mt. Shuan – Mt. Lingming
• Mt. Shuan (single day ascent)
• North Section 1 to 2
• Mt. Bilu – Mt. Yangtou
• Mt. Qilai Main/North Peak
• Mt. Qilai Range
• Mt. Qilai South Peak
• Qilai East Ridge
• Mt. Qingshui
• Other (non-traditional) routes
3-30 days before entry:
• Mt. Yangtou (single day ascent)
• Mt. Bilu (single day ascent)
1-30 days before entry:
• Zhuilu Old Road: The application window time is before 15pm the day before entering on Tuesday to Friday and before 15 pm on Friday for Saturday to Monday entry.
35 days-4 months before entry:
• Zhuilu Old Road Day Ascent (out-and-back to 3.1 km) for Foreign Visitors: Application window open 4 months to 35 days before date of intended entry; weekdays only (Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays). The application window closes at 3 pm, 35 days before the date of intended entry.
Applicants can prepare a draft of their application before this date, which is saved on the system for up to 7 full days after the draft was last modified. The system accepts applications daily from 07:00 to 23:00 in the order which they are received: https://hike.taiwan.gov.tw/en/web_index.aspx
Applicants can use the widget on the lower right section of the Online Applications for Taiwan National Park Permits homepage to calculate the dates of the application window given the intended hiking dates: https://npm.nps.gov.tw/en/sitemap.aspx

Foreign Visitors may apply up to 4 months ahead
Zhuilu Old Road:
Starting 01 September 2019, foreign visitors are able to submit applications 35 days - 4 months before date of entry via the “Online Application for Taiwan National Park Permits” website. We hope that the new measures will allow more foreign visitors to experience the exquisite scenery within Taroko Gorge. Please contact our Recreation and Services Section (Tel：+886-3-8621576 or +886-3-8621100 ext. 605; Office Hours: Mon – Fri 08:30 – 12:30; 13:30 – 17:30) or review the following details if you wish to apply through this method:

A: Application window: 35 days to 4 months prior to the date of intended entry (date of intended entry restricted to between Monday – Thursday)
B: Application Website: Through the English version of the “Online Application for Taiwan National Park Permits” website https://hike.taiwan.gov.tw/en/web_index.aspx
C: Restrictions: Applicants can submit one application (maximum 12 persons per application) for Zhuilu Old Road per date of intended entry. An applicant can be a team member or a team leader only once per day (e.g. one cannot be a member of a team and the leader of another team on the same day.) All team members must possess foreign nationality; please upload the photo page of your valid passport or a resident ID Card as proof.
D: Once an application has been approved, the date of entry and the names of all team members (including the leader, team members, and the emergency coordinator) cannot be altered, and additional team members cannot be added to the same application. Cancellation (for an individual or for the entire party, excluding the team leader) can be accepted. Separate applications should be submitted if additional members wish to hike on the same date of intended entry.
E: Standby Measure: There will be no standby measures (i.e. waitlist) for foreign visitor applications to Zhuilu Old Road. All applicants regardless of nationality are welcome to apply through the standard application window (1 – 30 days before date of intended entry) if the quota for foreign visitors has already been reached.

Applicants are allowed to make as many applications as they wish, as long as dates do not overlap. For example, the following is allowed:
• Two separate applications for Zhuilu Old Trail for 01 January and 02 January
• Two separate applications for Mt. Nanhu for 01-04 January and 04-07 January
• One application for Mt. Nanhu for 01-04 January and one application for Zhuilu Old Trail for 05 January
Important: Please remember to cancel the applications that you do not end up using as soon as possible, so that the freed places may be offered to others on the waiting list.