The Jiamei Lake Trail has become a popular hiking route. The Taitung Forest District Office urges hikers to carefully choose guides and team leaders. Additionally, starting in July, applications for same-day round-trip hikes will switch to an appointment system.
The Taitung Forest District Office under the Forestry Bureau stated that recently, they have received complaints from the public about hiking operators promoting all-inclusive (meals and lodging) package tours to climb Jiamei Lake. After hikers register and pay, the operators often delay providing detailed itineraries and sometimes even withhold information about the route and mountain hut accommodations.
As a result, many hikers only find out on the day of entry that the operator did not apply for mountain hut beds for them. They are then brought into the trail entrance on-site under the pretense of applying for a same-day round-trip permit, unknowingly staying in the mountain huts in violation of regulations.
The Taitung Forest District Office explained that mountain hut administrators, prioritizing hiking safety, have been using the expedient measure of offering emergency refuge public beds. However, these hikers not only have to pay the bed fees afterward but also face suspension penalties.
To prevent similar incidents from recurring, the Taitung Forest District Office urges hikers heading to the Jiamei Lake National Trail to carefully select hiking operators, guides, or team leaders. Before entering the mountains, hikers should verify whether they have obtained beds in accordance with regulations and completed payments, to avoid being unable to enter the trail on-site and ultimately having to return disappointed.
The Taitung Forest District Office pointed out that public beds are intended for emergency rescue or official use and are not available for general hikers. The Jiamei Lake National Trail enforces a total capacity control based on facility limits. Hikers wishing to stay at Jiamei Lake or Xiangyang Mountain Huts must obtain a bed or campsite permit before entry. All hikers are urged to comply.
Additionally, to improve the Jiamei Lake National Trail mountain hut application system, the new system will go live on July 1. In the future, same-day round-trip applications will adopt an appointment system. Details regarding the adjusted policies will be announced on the Taiwan Mountain Adventure Network in mid-June. Alternatively, you can call the Taitung Forest District Office service hotline at 089-324121, ext. 715 or 713 for inquiries. 1050611
(Central News Agency)