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Taiwan Traverse by Road Bike
Duration
11 days
Site savings
$110
From
$3,540 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
- Duration11 days
- Culture LevelOut There
- Skill Level4 - Advanced
- Activity Level4 - Challenging
- Elevation4 - Challenging
- TerrainHilly
- Distance582.2 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance64 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration11 days
- Main DestinationTaiwan
- Distance582.2 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance64 miles
- Elevation4 - Challenging
- TerrainHilly
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Taipei – Fusing
The tour operator will pick you up from your Taipei hotel then drive to Fusing to start the ride. It will only be a short bike ride that will start at sea level and end at about 450m (1,476ft). Start gently through undulating hills to get the legs warmed up before you get on with the serious climbing. Along the way you'll be riding through thick forest with the thick moss and huge ferns lining the narrow road gives the whole place a Jurassic aura.
- 31.1 miles
- 1,079.4 ft
1,686.4 ft
607 ft - Da Kung Hotel
- Lunch and Dinner
- Day 2Fusing – Wuling Farm
Your second day begins with your first big climb starting from the hotel. The first 35km (28mi) will warm you up for the first steep sections and first peak of the day at 60km (37mi). Afterwards, you’ll make a sharp descent down to the base of the plateau before the long climb begins to the top of Shih Yin Pass, nearly 2,000m (6561ft) above sea level.
Today's ride will let you admire the dense forest which changes from cedar to bamboo along the way. Breathe in the fresh air as you power on with your bike.
- 62.1 miles
- 2,044 ft
7,217.8 ft
5,173.9 ft - Wuling Farm
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Wuling Farm – Lu Shan Hot Spring
You'll start the day by continuing up the north cross island highway to Li Shan, and after 25 km (15.5 mi) you will be at the highest point, just above 3,000m (9,843ft). You'll then descend into one of the most remote parts of the island, a highlight of the trip!
- 55.9 miles
- -629.9 ft
5,124.7 ft
5,754.6 ft - Honey Moon Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 4Lu Shan – Taroko Gorge
Today you'll tackle the highest road in East Asia, Hehuanshan Pass, at 3,275m (10,745ft). It will be an early start with a 32 km (20 mi) climb up 2,175m (7,136ft) and then an exhilarating ride down some 3270m (10728ft) into Taroko National Park and the world famous Taroko Gorge. You'll be riding through twists and turns, endless tunnels, multitudes of eco zones and marbled walled passageways, simply spectacular!
A car transport and options to start at different points along the way are available.
- 77.7 miles
- -3,034.8 ft
7,463.9 ft
10,498.7 ft - Crossing the Rainbow Bridge Guest House or Taroko Delight Villa
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Rest Day in Taroko National Park
Take a break off the bikes by visiting and hiking in Taroko Gorge. The group will visit the Siangde Temple with a giant statue of Guanyin and a pagoda that provides views of the valley from the top, and walk the Zhui Lu Ancient Trail. From the trail you will be high above the gorge allowing you to see breathtaking views.
There are many other hikes to choose from which can be decided on the day itself.
- Crossing the Rainbow Bridge or Taroko Delight Villa
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 6Taroko Gorge – An Tong Hot Spring
From Taroko Gorge you'll ride out onto the east coast and into the superb East Rift Valley. The undulating route hugs the foothills and takes you through numerous Aboriginal villages. Tonight the group overnights at yet another wonderful hot spring resort!
- 83.9 miles
- 685.7 ft
2,628 ft
1,942.3 ft - An-Tong Hot Spring Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Yu Li – Jhihben Hot Springs
Today you'll head south and then up into the Badlands area, enjoying splendid views from the deserted mountain road. The ride eventually connects with back roads to the lush Jhihben River valley, where the hot springs are between 75-96 degrees Celsius (167-205 degrees Fahrenheit).
- 68.4 miles
- -659.4 ft
2,342.5 ft
3,002 ft - Hoya Resort and Spa
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 8Jhihben Hot Springs – Kenting National Park
Today's ride takes the group over the top of the Capricorn pass and down to the white sand beaches of Kenting. Starting with a 50km (31mi) ride down the south-east coast, make your first crossing of the island from east to west. This is the route taken by most riders traveling around the island.
As you ride over the southern mountains, descend down to the west coast and around the Kenting peninsula and overnight at Bai Sha Wan beach, famous for being a setting in the movie "Life of Pi."
- 74.6 miles
- -95.1 ft
3,323.5 ft
3,418.6 ft - White Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 9Kenting – Wutai Aborigine Village
Starting early in the morning from the guest house, you'll explore the southern part of Taiwan which has the most dramatic coast line and the best beaches on the island.There will be a 2 hour transfer from the coast to the mountain area in order to navigate around busy roads.
After lunch, you will start climbing the into the mountains to reach the aboriginal village of Wu Tai, famous for its stone house architecture. On the road up to village, you'll be able to cross the highest bridge in Taiwan which is approximately 100m (328ft) above the river. Cap off the day with a 17km (11mi) climb to your next destination.
- 65.2 miles
- 2,181.8 ft
4,481.6 ft
2,299.9 ft - Shenshan Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 10The Last Ride
On the last ride of the tour, you'll leave behind the mountain village and head towards the vibrant southern city of Kaohsiung. You'’ll lose elevation as you start cruising downward out of the peaks that have defined your journey through Taiwan. Fertile farmland lines the mountainous slopes along the ride, and you'll stop for lunch in one of the many indigenous villages for some traditional aborigine food.
Only a few small climbs remain until you reach the Kaoping River on the very outer limits of Kaohsiung city. The day doesn’t end here with one more surprise in store, the fantastic Fo Guang Shan Monastery. Multi-level pagodas and endless gilded Buddha statues line the pathways of this incredible Buddhist establishment. Following a wide-eyed wander through the monastery, transfer the rest of the way to your hotel in the city for the evening. There will be plenty of time to disassemble bikes, pack, and rest up for the next day of onward travel.
- 49.7 miles
- 1,259.8 ft
4,156.8 ft
2,897 ft - Kindness Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 11Departure