Taiwan Bike Tour
PEDAL HAPPY: Computer generated elevation statistics for the routes on this tour are inherently exaggerated due to bridges, tunnels and overhangs. The daily elevation stats shown here have been measured using a GPS device for better accuracy.
Itinerary
Day 01
Go for a warm-up ride along the Tamsui River's bike path.
Meals
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Grand Victoria HotelDistance
27 milesElevation
+407 ft / -407 ftDay 02
Pedal an amazing route through Yangmingshan National Park to the east coast.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Grand Victoria HotelDistance
49 miles (or less)Elevation
+4133 ft / -4036 ftDay 03
Jump on the high-speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung City. Ride to Kenting National Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
Chateau Beach ResortDistance
21-47 milesElevation
AM: +743 ft / -709 ft (21mi)
PM option: +2026 ft / -1991 ft (26mi)
Day 04
Ride the island's east coast, then inland through rice paddies, past palm trees and into the jungle.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Hoya Hot Springs ResortDistance
79 miles (or less)Elevation
+4,298 ft / -4,190 ft (or less)Today’s ride is hilly, lush and completely memorable. Start off with a cruise along protected bike paths and bike lanes beside the ocean, then head inland through rice fields and past palm trees. Revel in the quiet: you’ll see few cars once we leave the coastline. After lunch at an oceanside park, pedal onward to visit Duoliang Station, once Taiwan’s most beautiful railway station. The site is now a lovely seaside park with blissful views of mountain, jungle and seashore. Back on the bike, ride onward to Chihpen, a popular hot spring area where canyon gives way to lush jungle and beautiful banyan forest. After a restful soak, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant serving aboriginal cuisine… and then maybe another soak. Lodge at .
Day 05
Ride the border of the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area from Chiben to Jui-shaing.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Dinner
Lodging
Silence ManorDistance
68 miles (or less)Elevation
+3,028 ft / -2,631 ft (or less)Cycle through the wondrous Rift Valley today, pausing to take in views of rice paddies and mountain ranges. Discover Taiwan waxes eloquent about the East Rift Valley: “…it stretches from Mugua River in Hualien to the north to Taitung City and covers a total of 138,386 hectares, encompassing mountains, valleys, and hot springs, together with fields of rice, daylilies, pomelos, tea, and sugar apples in rich abundance.” It’s also home to four of Taiwan’s indigenous tribes. Finish today’s ride with a soak in the mineral springs of Jui-shaing. Lodge at the luxurious and aptly named .
Day 06
Visit the Cave of the Eight Immortals before riding back to the coast along the foothills.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Hualien Sugar FactoryDistance
75 miles (or less)Elevation
+5,023 ft / -5,171 ft (or less)Start today with a ride to Bashian Cave, the “Cave of the Eight Immortals.” One of Taiwan’s geological wonders, the cave dates to the Stone Age and houses a Buddhist temple carved into the side of a cliff. Explore a bit. Then continue riding up the pristine coast and then a challenging climb up and down back into the green rift valley to the in Guangfu Township. This honest-to-goodness sugar factory was built during the days of Taiwan’s occupation by Japan. Tonight, sleep in the Japanese-style sugar factory’s guesthouse. Dinner is a guest favorite, a Japanese-influenced meal offered in a quaint, intimate setting.
Day 07
Begin one of the world's most epic rides into the mountains and gorge of Taroko National Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Silks Place TarokoDistance
62 miles (or less)Elevation
+3,796 ft / -2,831 ft (or less)Day 08
Explore Taroko National Park. Or enjoy the luxury of Silks Place Taroko's hotel and spa. Or do both.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Dinner
Lodging
Silks Place TarokoDay 09
Try for the summit if you like. Afterward, enjoy the long descent to Lishan.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Swallow Castle Resort & HotelDistance
50 miles (or less)Elevation
+8,062 ft / -3401 ft (or less)Day 10
Ride through the mountains past tribal villages, tea farms and palm trees en route to the coast.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
Kapok Hotel & ResortsDistance
68 miles (or less)Elevation
+3,602 ft / -10,141 ft (or less)Day 11
Back to Taipei, with a few stops along the way - including hot-air lanterns in the old town of Shifen. All meals provided.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner