4 D y D i s c o v e r T a i w a n T o u r
14 DAY TOUR
s o e T i w a
This adventure is perfect for anyone who’s a first time traveler to Taiwan and would like to explore the best of the country on bike. Over the course of the trip, you’ll ride from the southern tip in Kenting National Park, all the way back to the north of the island, finishing in Taipei. This route will give you the chance to explore the most beautiful areas of rural Taiwan including the Taitung coast and the Hualien rift valley, as well as the bucket list ride up through Taroko Gorge and the Taiwan K.O.M.
DAY 1
Arrival into Taipei
Arrival into TPE Airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the capital city, Taipei.
After a quick briefing and any necessary bike fiddling, our local guide will show you around one of Taipei’s most loved night markets and give you a first taste of Taiwanese street food.
DAY 2
Maokong Ride
Sticking to the mountains that surround Taipei for your first day of riding, it’s time to test out your bike (and your legs)! A relaxed 40 km heading out of Taipei city along the dedicated river cycle path will bring you to the foot of Maokong mountain. Maokong first became famous as a meeting place for confucian academics, who would use the tranquility of the local plantations to discuss and debate.
After a short climb into the foothills we arrive at one of Taipei’s oldest and most famous teahouses where you can enjoy a hot lunch and some of the best tea in the world. Back at the hotel by mid-afternoon, there’s plenty of time remaining for you to shower and change, before heading off with our guide to see some of the city sights, as well as to dine in one of the finest restaurants in the city.
Distance: 55km
Total Elevation: 673m
DAY 3
Transfer to Kenting National Park
To begin our riding from the very southern tip of the island we have to get there first. Luckily, Taiwan has a state-of-the-art high-speed rail service which will take us to Kaohsiung, most of the way down the island. Traveling at 300 kmph the journey is an experience in itself, and in no time at all you’ll be on the golden sands with waves lapping at your toes. Spend the afternoon in the national park, which is famous for its excellent snorkeling and hiking spots, and enjoy wandering through the small local street food stalls that fill the main street of Kenting town in the evening.
DAY 4
Kenting - Daren
The beginning of an epic ride north. Starting in Kenting you’ll spend almost the entire day riding through the pristinely kept national park, winding between jungle mountains and golden beaches. It’s a gorgeous ride but also not without a couple of longer climbs to test the legs. After reaching the top of the biggest and final climb, you’ll descend all the way back to the coast before having a local lunch at Dulan. From here it’s up to you whether you prefer to ride or transfer the remaining 40km along a busier stretch of coastal road to the quiet indigenous town of Taimali where our accommodation is for the night.
Distance: 100km
Total Elevation: 1,432m
DAY 5
Taimali - Chenggong
A relatively gentle day along the east coast road, continuing north until we reach the spot for our coffee break (or brunch, depending on how much of a lie-in you want!) at the old Duoliang Station. This station, now abandoned, has become a popular tourist attraction thanks to the beautiful view it offers of the Pacific ocean. From here it’s just a little further to the bustling city of Taitung , in time for a quick lunch before you begin the afternoon’s ride along the pristine pacific coastline. A couple of stops and photo opportunities will break up the ride, firstly at the Jialulan Cultural park where you can view Aboriginal Taiwanese art installations, and then again at the mesmerising uphill river. We don’t want to give the game away too much about this one, but trust us, it will blow your mind! You’ll reach your accommodation for the night in Chenggong, where our guide will lead to you one of the freshest delicacies to be found anywhere in East Asia and the town’s specialty – swordfish sashimi.
Distance: 75km
Total Elevation: 558m
DAY 6
Chenggong - Ruisui
Back on the bike for one of the most beautiful days of riding, you’ll begin the day continuing north along the Pacific coastline, with not long before you come to the first wonder of the day – Sanxiantai Bridge. The bridge is an incredible piece of architecture designed to resemble a dragon, which connects the mainland to the ‘Island of the Three Immortals’. Take a short coffee break overlooking this incredible man-made structure before continuing along the spectacular coastline (crossing the Tropic of Cancer in the process), and stopping for lunch at the Baxian Caves. After lunch we start our first real ascent of the day, climbing 200m over Haian Ridge and descending to Ruisui in the Rift Valley where our hotel is. Thermal hot springs await in the evening, as well as a fantastic traditional Taiwanese restaurant.
Distance: 74km
Total Elevation: 923m
DAY 7
Ruisui - Hualien
Having taken in the stunning ocean views the day before, you’ll ride through equally spectacular countryside in the rift valley. Largely untouched by Taiwan’s development boom, these small farming communities continue in much the same way as they have for centuries. Heading north along one of Taiwan’s most loved cycling routes, winding between the paddy fields and the foothills to the east, gorgeous food as well as landscapes await. In Fenglin the local dumpling restaurant should provided just the boost needed to propel you towards Hualien. Before you get there, however, you can make a small detour east to gorgeous views at Farglory Park, and if you’re feeling brave enough, the steepest road climb in Taiwan! In the evening our guide will take you to visit an authentic Taiwanese aboriginal restaurant, to get a taste of indigenous flavours.
Distance: 77km
Total Elevation: 740m
DAY 8
Liyu Lake Rest Day
Created back in the mists of time, when two tectonic plates pulled apart, the natural lake is an ocean of tranquility, flanked on both sides by the spectacular central mountain and Hualien rift valley. It’s a relaxed way to spin the legs around the local countryside and a wonderful way to explore the surrounding area.
DAY 9
Hualien - Lishan (KOM)
One of the toughest cycling routes in the world, no cycling trip in Taiwan would be complete without attempting the route of the Taiwan KOM Challenge up Taroko Gorge. Won in 2017 by Vincenzo Nibali and Britain’s Emma Pooley, this climb is guaranteed to push you to the limit. Alarms will be set early for the huge day of climbing through the amazing Taroko Gorge and along the route of the world famous KOM – 87km of climbing, winding and phenomenal cycling through the gorge and all the way up to Wuling Pass. You’ll pass over stunning bridges and some spectacular stretches of tarmac as you climb ever higher. Supported all the way by our amazing crew, you’ll be able frequently to refuel, take on water and simply to admire the views. After 65km there’s a quick descent to take you to the base of the final climb – 1000m of high altitude climbing over 18km on one of the world’s most stunning roads. From the summit our team will drive you on to your accommodation in the mountain village of Lishan.
Distance: 83km
Total Elevation: 4,230m
DAY 10
Lishan - Jiaoxi
With the exertions of the day before, you’ll no doubt be glad to hear that this will be one of the quickest 100km rides you’ll do in your life. Two small climbs are hidden in a day of descending, as you ride back down the other side of the mountain you came up the previous day. The advantage of this quicker ride is that it will allow plenty of time to enjoy all the other treats of Yilan county. Finish at the multi-award-winning Kavalan Whiskey distillery, where you can enjoy a tour of the facilities followed by whiskey tasting for those who’d like to. After a couple of first-class single malts, you may be in the mood for a hot bath, and luckily Jiaoxi hot springs are just the place! Depending on just how much whiskey you’ve sampled, it’s a short 20km ride or an even shorter drive back to the gorgeous accommodation in Jiaoxi.
Distance: 121km
Total Elevation: 1,620m
DAY 11
Jiaoxi - Keelung
After a couple of big days in the mountains, we’re heading back to the coast…before going back into the mountains! With just one beautiful climb for the day, we’ll have plenty of time to see the magnificent sights on the way back down. Our first stop will be at Juifen, the magical old Japanese gold mining town that is known for being the inspiration behind the spirit bathhouse in the animated film ‘Sprited Away’. Explore the bustling market street before descending a little further to the Golden Waterfall. A short 15km along the coast we reach our hotel in Keelung, a thriving port city, famous above all for its fabulously fresh seafood.
Distance: 84km
Total Elevation: 1,079m
DAY 12
Keelung - Taipei
Meandering out from Keelung, you’ll have completed the biggest climb of the day before your morning coffee stop in Shifen old street, where you can learn a little more about the village’s traditional fire lantern festivals. After refueling, you’ll head a couple of kms up the valley to visit Shifen Waterfall – perhaps the most famous in Taiwan. From there, you’ll make your final climb and descent, which will lead you back to the Taipei river cycle path that served you so well at the very start of the adventure. Take the evening to enjoy another ofmTaipei’s fabulous local restaurants, as well as reflecting on a truly awesome trip!
Distance: 76km
Total Elevation: 1,116m
DAY 13
Taipei Rest Day
After a few long days of riding, a well-earned rest day can be enjoyed in Taipei city. Spend the time exploring the sights of Taipei, such as the Chiang Kai-shek memorial or Taipei 101 before taking a short hike up Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) for sunset. End the day with a group dinner at one of Taipei’s best-loved local restaurants.
DAY 14
Departure
Transfer from your hotel, back to Taipei in time for your departing flight from Taipei International Airport.
We’ll be sad to see you leave, but we know you’ll be back soon!
TRIP gallery
4 D s c o v e r T a i w a n T o u r
Our cycle tours are designed to capture the incredible treasures of Taiwan. A unique opportunity to ride stunning and challenging routes in one of the most beautiful corners of the world. With its imposing mountain ranges, rolling paddy fields, gorgeous ocean roads, ultra-modern cycle lanes and world-famous cuisine, Taiwan provides the perfect blend of safety, comfort and adventure to make it an ideal location to explore by bike.
With a highly experienced guide and a support vehicle with you at all times, you can simply relax and enjoy the ride, as well as savour the delights Taiwan has to offer: think night markets, national parks, temples, waterfalls, natural hot springs and so much more!
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