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Taiwan Traverse by Road Bike
Duration
12 days
Site savings
$143
From
$4,592 USD
On this hilly, and in places steep, ride you will be challenged as you head up and over the Central Mountain Range twice, culminating at 3,275 m (10,745 ft) on the Hehuanshan Road. You will ride just under 927 kilometers (576 miles) in 9 days of riding on smooth tarmac roads. The trip is fully supported and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks, ice and fresh fruit.
- CategoryAdventurous
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration12 days
- Culture LevelOut There
- Skill Level4 - Advanced
- Activity Level4 - Challenging
- Elevation4 - Challenging
- TerrainHilly
- Distance454.8 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance57.2 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration12 days
- Main DestinationTaiwan
- Distance454.8 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance57.2 miles
- Elevation4 - Challenging
- TerrainHilly
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Meet in Taipei
- Day 2Taipei - Sanxia - Baling
- Day 3Baling - Heping
Get ready to dial it up today! Right from the start, you'll tackle an 11 km climb with an average gradient of 5%, winding through the forest-lined switchbacks of the Northern Cross-Island Highway to the top of your first pass at around 1,200 metres above sea level. The road then rolls gently before, at around the 25 km mark, rewarding you with a long, twisting 13 km descent into the Lanyang River valley.
From there, you'll follow this wide, braided waterway south for around 30 km, riding a gently ascending road through a patchwork of cabbage fields. At around 68 km, you'll leave the valley behind as the gradients steepen and the road coils uphill for approximately 10 km, climbing to the highlands of Heping at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level. The final 10 km level out, giving you a gentle finish to your guesthouse nestled in one of Taiwan’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. Take a moment to relax and enjoy the crisp mountain air.- 59 miles
- 3,280.8 ft
8,202.1 ft
4,921.3 ft - Wuling Farm Guesthouse
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 4Heping - Ren'ai
Your journey through Taiwan’s Central Mountains continues today. You'll begin with a steady 5 km climb that takes you high above the winding Qijiawan River as it snakes through the high-altitude valley. A 9 km descent then brings you down to the riverbanks before you take on one of the tour’s greatest challenges—a 50 km climb to Wuling Pass, Taiwan’s highest paved road at 3,275 metres above sea level.
Don’t be fooled by the seemingly gentle 3–5% average gradient. The legendary final 10 km to the summit delivers a sting in the tail that tests even the most experienced riders. Reaching the top is a true achievement, as Wuling Pass marks the iconic finish of the annual Taiwan KOM Challenge, making this climb a badge of honour for cyclists visiting Taiwan.
From the summit, you'll enjoy a thrilling 31 km descent into the rugged highlands of Ren’ai, dropping to around 1,200 metres above sea level where you'll spend the night. Along the way, take in sweeping views of the beautiful Wanda Reservoir below.- 57.2 miles
- -1,640.4 ft
6,561.7 ft
8,202.1 ft - Shan Ju Lake Villa
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Ren'ai - Taroko National Park
Today, you'll experience a unique take on Taiwan’s iconic King of the Mountain (KOM) Challenge. While the official race begins at sea level and winds its way through Taroko Gorge to finish at Wuling Pass (3,275 metres above sea level), you'll ride the route in reverse.
Starting from Ren’ai, you'll first take on a 28 km climb with an average gradient of 6–7%, following the same road you descended the previous day to reach Wuling Pass. This Hors Catégorie (HC) climb is one of the tour’s biggest challenges, but you're welcome to shorten it with the support of the vehicle if you prefer. Whichever option you choose, you'll regroup with the rest of the group at the summit before heading east on a spectacular descent through Taroko National Park.
Over the next 90 km, you'll ride through high-altitude forests and past the towering marble cliffs of the world's deepest marble gorge before the road gradually levels out at sea level on Taiwan’s Pacific coast. Your day ends in the small town of Xincheng, nestled at the entrance to Taroko Gorge, where you'll spend the night.- 77.7 miles
- -3,280.8 ft
8,202.1 ft
11,482.9 ft - Taroko Liiko Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 6Taroko National Park Rest Day
- Day 7Taroko National Park - Antong Hot Springs
Today, you'll get back on the bike as you ride into Taiwan’s spectacular East Rift Valley, your cycling paradise for the next two days. Setting off from Xincheng, the first 30 km are a little busier as you make your way through Hualien City, but the scenery soon changes to a peaceful landscape of winding rivers, rice paddies, quiet country roads, and Indigenous villages.
Nestled between the Central and Coastal mountain ranges, the East Rift Valley is the most fertile region on the island and is often referred to as Taiwan’s "rice basket." You'll ride an undulating route along the foothills, passing what feels like an endless sea of rice fields stretching across the valley floor.
Your day ends in Antong, a historic hot spring destination that has been prized since the Japanese colonial era. Still a popular wellness retreat today, it's the perfect place to unwind with a therapeutic soak in the hotel's natural hot springs after your ride.- 69.6 miles
- 492.1 ft
2,132.5 ft
1,640.4 ft - An-Tong Hot Spring Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 8Antong Hot Springs - Zhiben Hot Springs
Your day begins with a crossing of the Coastal Range, tackling a 7 km climb with an average gradient of 7–8% and a challenging sting in the tail before passing through the Yuchang Tunnel. Emerging on the other side, you'll enjoy a spectacular descent to the coast, rewarded with sweeping views across the Pacific Ocean.
From there, you'll head south along the coastline, picking up the pace on flat, smooth roads as you ride through a string of fishing villages and lively coastal towns. At around the 95 km mark, you'll enter the Zhiben River Valley, another of Taiwan’s renowned hot spring regions. Tonight, you'll stay at a hotel where you can unwind with a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs after another rewarding day in the saddle.- 62.8 miles
- -328.1 ft
2,624.7 ft
2,952.8 ft - Hoya Hot Spring Hotel & Spa
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 9Zhiben Hot Springs - Kenting
Today, you'll set off from Zhiben and join Route 9, riding parallel to the Pacific Ocean for around 50 km to Dawu Township. Although you're following the coastline, Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range often rises directly from the shore, so expect a series of rolling climbs and descents along the way.
The main challenge begins after crossing the river near Daren, where you'll tackle a 12 km climb with an average gradient of 4–5% into the southern highlands. Once at the summit, you'll enjoy a gradual descent across the southern tip of the peninsula, passing lush forests and Indigenous villages before reaching Taiwan’s west coast.
Your ride finishes with a flat 20 km stretch into Kenting, one of Taiwan’s most beautiful beach destinations. If it looks familiar, that's because Life of Pi filmed many of its beach scenes here. After checking in and enjoying some free time, you'll regroup with your fellow riders for dinner before taking a stroll through Kenting’s lively night market.- 77.1 miles
3,280.8 ft
3,280.8 ft- Howard Beach Resort Kenting
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 10Kenting Loop
Today, you'll enjoy a scenic shake-out ride through the coastal roads and forested hills of southern Taiwan. Setting off from your hotel in Kenting, you'll cruise 10 km to "Taiwan’s Tail," the island’s southernmost point, where you'll take a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Back on the bike, you'll tackle a short 3 km climb before enjoying a fast descent and a flat section that leads inland through farmland and forests. A final short climb takes you to the top of a hill before you cruise back south, retracing your route past Kenting National Park to your hotel.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Relax by the pool, head to the beach, or, if you're keen for more time in the saddle, you can choose to ride an extended loop of around 100 km.- 26.1 miles
1,312.3 ft
1,312.3 ft- Howard Beach Resort Kenting
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 11Kenting - Kaohsiung
Having reached the southernmost point of the island, you've officially completed your road bike journey across Taiwan. But the adventure isn't over just yet!
Today, you'll travel by vehicle to Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second-largest city, often nicknamed the "Harbour Capital" for its important role in the country's maritime trade. The drive from Kenting takes around two hours, but you'll make a worthwhile detour to visit the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.
Take your time exploring this remarkable spiritual site, home to soaring pagodas, an avenue of monumental shrines, and a magnificent 108-metre bronze Buddha overlooking the valley. After enjoying lunch, you'll continue the short drive to Kaohsiung, where you'll celebrate your incredible journey with a farewell dinner and spend your final night of the tour.- Kindness Hotel Chi Hsien Branch
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 12Kaohsiung Departure