About Taiwan Hikes
What is Taiwan: A Gem under the Radar for Avid Hikers
Hi, I'm Anusha.
I've hiked Yushan 10 times — including 7 as a day hike — and spent 7+ years navigating Taiwan's permit system, mountain lodges, bus routes, and trail regulations so you don't have to.
I built Taiwan Hikes to give independent international hikers everything they need in English. My guides do the talking. I don't.
Taiwan Hikes sells digital guides only — we do not arrange hikes, apply for permits on your behalf, or offer free trip-planning advice. For premium consulting, see our shop.
What Taiwan Hikes Is
The English-language resource covering self-guided hiking in Taiwan end-to-end: permit applications, public transport routes, gear, safety, and trail guides — built from personal experience, not aggregated from other websites.
If you're an independent hiker who wants accurate, practical information without hiring a guide or spending weeks in Facebook groups, this is the site for you.
Taiwan: More Mountains Than You Think
Taiwan is small — 35,980 km2, about the size of the Netherlands or Switzerland. Most people think of the food and the tech industry. Hikers should think of the mountains.
Nearly 70% of Taiwan is covered by hills and mountains, with 268 peaks rising above 3,000 meters (9,843 feet). On a clear day, you can see the layers of mountains from the summit of Yushan, showcasing this small yet biodiverse island.
For context:
- Similar size to the Netherlands and Switzerland
- Slightly larger than the US state of Maryland
- 268 peaks over 3,000m (9,843 ft)
- Yushan (Jade Mountain) stands at 3,952m (12,966 ft) — the highest peak in Northeast Asia
The trail network is extensive, and most trails are well-maintained. However, the permit system, signage, and planning resources can be difficult to navigate for individuals who do not speak Mandarin. This is the gap that Taiwan Hikes addresses.
Why I Started This
I started hiking in early 2017, joining local groups to learn the trails.
On those group hikes, I kept meeting international visitors who'd found trails by Googling — and sometimes gotten into serious trouble. Taiwan's trail safety rules differ from what most international hikers are used to. One example: in many countries, hikers are taught to follow streams when lost. In Taiwan, following a stream can be fatal.
There was no single English resource covering Taiwan hiking properly — permits, safety, regulations, transport, and trail conditions together. So, I built one.
That was 2019. Taiwan Hikes has since grown into a full guide library, running as a digital product business: everything I've learned, packaged into downloadable guides you can use.
Credentials
- Hiked Yushan (Jade Mountain) 10 times, including 7 as a day hike
- Completed 42 of Taiwan's 100 Peaks — and counting
- Researched and documented public transport routes to trailheads across every county in Taiwan — covered in detail in the guides
- 7+ years hiking in Taiwan
- Did a backpacking trip on foot from Hualien to Kenting
What I don't do
To be direct, because I get a lot of requests:
- I don't arrange hikes or apply for permits on your behalf
- I don't offer free trip-planning advice or trail suggestions by DM or email — the guides exist precisely so you don't need to ask me
If you need specific advice beyond what's in the guides, I occasionally offer paid consulting — fixed format, limited slots. Check the shop for availability.
The guides are designed so you don't need me. That's the point.
Important Things to Know Before Hiking in Taiwan
- How to Stay Alive and Get Found Soon While Getting Lost on the Trails in Taiwan
- Hiking Regulations in Taiwan
- Things You Need to Know Before Hiking in Taiwan
Also Seen and Heard On...
Taiwan Hikes has been featured by:
- 用英文寫登山指南!外國人也能輕鬆踏入台灣山林! ft. Taiwan Hikes 英文部落格創辦人-Anusha
- 挪威三大奇岩行後開啟了登山及自媒體經營不歸路! ft. Taiwan Hikes 英文部落格創辦人-Anusha
- I Love The Outdoors Interview #10 – Anusha From Taiwan Hikes.
- Making Taiwan's trails more English accessible on Island Adventures, Radio Taiwan International (RTI) on August 21, 2022.