As one of Asia’s most mountainous destinations, Taiwan’s peaks give it a unique advantage in attracting outdoorsy visitors. But more could be done to promote the island’s high-altitude offerings.

A frequently touted figure in Taiwan tourism campaigns — “286 peaks over 3,000 meters” — seems to be little more than a convenient byline for the island’s beauty. Beyond this description of Taiwan’s high mountains, you rarely see or hear much else. Once the obligatory photo of Yushan or mountain silhouettes is out of the way, it’s straight on to images of tea plantations, Taipei 101, and Sun Moon Lake. Of course, each of these features is a distinct representation of Taiwan’s beauty and diversity. And while the mountain scenery is attractive, it may not be enough to get visitors to actually go and experience it for themselves.

Taiwan’s mountain trails are usually never more than a few hours’ drive or bus ride from its major cities. But their mist-veiled ridge lines and biodiverse forests are also some of the island’s least well-known, underutilized, and, tellingly, least-promoted natural features, particularly for non-Chinese-speaking visitors. In contrast, the country’s beaches and waterways are well publicized.

The sheer variety of trails is staggering, offering everything from easy strolls to urban-access viewpoints, to coastal walks and multi-day, high-altitude alpine hikes.

“Despite its small size, Taiwan has one of the greatest concentrations of high mountains” of anywhere on Earth, says Daniel Rios, tour director at Taiwan Outdoors and Parkbus Taiwan. “And being an island, Taiwan has unique endemic flora and fauna that can be found nowhere else on Earth.”

Rios says Taiwan’s geography creates unique biospheres that change with elevation. Depending on how high you go, the scenery may include giant cypress trees, the “Sea of Clouds” phenomenon, lush bamboo and fern forests, and sweeping panoramic views.

That could translate to big tourist dollars for Taiwan. Globally, market demand for active travel and nature-based tourism is on the rise. U.S.-based Grand View Research (GVR) valued the ecotourism market in 2023 at over US$230 billion and forecasts it will nearly triple by 2030. The Asia Pacific market is expected to expand at the fastest pace over the same period.

This growth is mainly driven by the rising popularity of immersive travel and outdoor recreational activities — and Taiwan has no shortage of spectacular natural offerings.

The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) says visitors from Europe and North America tend to spend more time in Taiwan than travelers from many other markets — often seeking out immersive experiences that go beyond the typical sightseeing itinerary. These visitors are drawn to outdoor adventures, authentic cultural encounters, and close connections with nature, according to the TTA, which makes them a key target market. But westerners are not the only group with a growing interest in outdoor activities abroad.

“Since we launched Taiwan Outdoors and Parkbus Taiwan, I’ve seen an increase in international guests,” says Rios, noting that most of his company’s clients are from Southeast Asia and Singapore.

Applying for permits

Joining a tour group is generally a more convenient way for travelers to experience Taiwan’s high mountains. That’s because for more involved hikes, visitors must first obtain the required permits, an often-complicated process that can turn some away before they’ve even had a chance to hit the trails.

“Generally, permits are first-come, first-served,” says Rios, “which means you need to know what date you want to start hiking, and then reverse calculate the first date and time applications will open.” He says other hikes use a lottery system, and getting a permit for those is “just a matter of luck.”

For a few specific, popular hikes, the government also sets aside “pre-reserved” permits to encourage tourism, Rios says. “But these are very limited and often sell out four months in advance, so knowing how to maneuver through the national park website is crucial to getting a permit.”

Besides the National Park Service of Taiwan web portal, the government also hosts the bilingual website Hike Smart Taiwan Service.

Both sites are kept up to date, hosting news, stunning photos, and conservation and research information, as well as mountain safety videos. But only Hike Smart Taiwan has information regarding hiking and trail areas. It also features a permit application window on the landing page. However, it is not promoted at all on social media, making it difficult for visitors to find.

That lack of awareness can keep non-Chinese-speaking hikers in the dark about relevant news. For example, two stunningly beautiful routes in the Taroko region have recently been partially reopened after sustaining damage during the magnitude-7.4 earthquake in April 2024. Applicants may now apply for mountain huts and campsites along these trails. But outside of Hike Smart Taiwan, you’re unlikely to find that information elsewhere in English. By expanding the website’s digital footprint, more tourists would be able to enjoy Taiwan’s natural beauty.

Tourism officials counter that work is being done to boost mountain tourism. The TTA is “actively promoting the island’s forest and hiking resources through the administration’s 16 overseas offices” and is “leveraging official websites, social media platforms, and a range of digital channels,” says Su Ming-hui from the administration’s International Affairs Division.

The TTA also runs a comprehensive program to help visitors access mountain areas. “The Tourism Administration continues to integrate rail, high-speed rail, bus, and tourist shuttle services,” says Su. “The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle and Taiwan Tour Bus routes connect trailheads, mountain towns, and scenic areas, allowing travelers to easily reach mountain destinations without having to drive themselves.”

Protecting the trails

But getting more people into the mountains requires striking a balance between overtourism and the current low visitor numbers. Fragile routes and sensitive areas need to be regulated and protected — but many of these places are not easily accessible by large tourist buses.

According to data from Taiwan’s National Park Administration (NPA), over the past decade, around 210,000 applications have been approved for hiking activities within ecologically protected areas of Taiwan’s national parks each year. The NPA says this level remains below the ecological carrying capacity established for conservation management in the national parks.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t some very well-traversed trails in Taiwan. Tour director Rios points to Taiwan’s two highest mountains, Yushan and Xueshan, as particularly popular routes. But there are also less strenuous options. “In terms of lower elevation walks, the Syakaro Historic Trail, the Alangyi Historic Trail along the coast, and the Mianyue Line (in Alishan) are probably the three most popular day hike options that visitors ask about,” Rios says.

These trails all offer breathtaking views and are a big draw for both domestic hikers and international visitors. However, maintaining the routes is demanding, both physically and financially. And the many typhoons, landslides, and earthquakes Taiwan experiences each year make keeping them safe and intact even more challenging.

“When a trail is damaged, especially if it’s on a popular route, it’s usually repaired or rerouted in a matter of days,” says Rios. “The issue is that the road leading to the trail is damaged, which requires more repairs.”

Rios also notes that repairs are most frequently made to trails inside national park boundaries, while those outside the parks are not regularly maintained and are more subject to long-term damage. That’s where the island’s dedicated hikers come in. “There is a large community of volunteers in Taiwan who take it upon themselves to set up ropes, create detours, and post signage on unmaintained routes,” he said.

Seeking guidance

Another challenge is the perception of hiking in the high mountains as dangerous, and not without good reason. Search and rescue missions, many of which involve fatalities, have dominated local headlines in recent years. While most of Taiwan’s hiking trails are not technically challenging, the rise in incidents is mainly down to more people hiking post-pandemic, rapidly changing weather, hikers using unauthorized routes, and rock falls.

This is where trail guides are worth their weight in gold. Years of experience and intimate trail knowledge can make the difference between a safe, hassle-free trip and a potentially dangerous one.

There are other advantages to hiring a guide as well. For one, they often come with a driver, which makes transportation and logistics much easier. Guides can also speak and read Chinese, a boon for international visitors who may have trouble interpreting maps, reading trail signs, and interacting with other people on the trails. And guides can help find water sources, locate dangerous sections of trails and emergency exits, and share equipment and packing tips, as well as local history, culture, and flora and fauna.

But you’re also paying for peace of mind and convenience, particularly in Taiwan. “By hiring a guide, all the notoriously frustrating permit paperwork and applications, plus meal ordering, sleeping bag rentals, and other things are all taken care of, and you simply just need to show up,” says tour director Rios.

Of course, the downside to getting a guide is generally the price. And paying someone for an inherently dangerous job over multiple days can be expensive for solo hikers and smaller groups. For medium- to large-sized groups, though, sharing the cost of a guide can make a trip safer while still being cost-effective. Still, it’s important to screen guides to confirm their qualifications, certifications, and experience.

Looking upward

Beyond the advantages for international travelers, mountain tourism in Taiwan could give a significant boost to the local economy. Carefully managed and properly promoted, it could see visitors extend their stays in high-altitude, rural towns, helping lift up local communities, supporting indigenous townships, raising cultural awareness, and providing year-round work.

The potential benefits are there. And with Taiwan being one of the most accessible mountainous countries in the world, they are right at the island’s fingertips. A trifecta of good flight times from international hubs, first-world amenities, and well-maintained trails could further help raise international visitor numbers. If Taiwan hopes to diversify its tourism appeal in the years ahead, one of its greatest assets may not be something it needs to build, but something that has been there all along.