FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE FRI 20 NOV | ARRIVAL
Welcome to the vibrant city of Taipei. After checking into our hotel, we will ensure your rental bike is a perfect fit, or assist with unpacking your own bike so all is ready for the first ride tomorrow. There will be time to relax and explore the immediate neighbourhood before the Welcome dinner and Tour Briefing over dinner.
DAY TWO SAT 21 NOV | YANGMINSHAN LOOP
We start our Taiwanese adventure with a gentle spin along the pristine riverside bike paths to wake up the legs. The flat warm-up soon gives way to the lush slopes of Yangmingshan National Park. We climb through volcanic terrain and dense forests, eventually reaching the magnificent Bishan Temple. As the largest temple of its kind, it features intricate dragon carvings and offers a commanding panoramic view of the Taipei Basin and the iconic 101 tower.
DISTANCE | 55KM | 35MI
ELEVATION | 850M | 2790FT
Longer ride option available.
DAY THREE SUN 22 NOV | TAIPEI TO YILAN
We venture south of the capital into the serene hills of Pinglin. This region is famous for its Baozhong tea and offers a landscape of terraced plantations that stretch as far as the eye can see. We pedal through quiet, curving roads where the air carries the faint aroma of roasting tea leaves. It is a day of smooth tarmac and green horizons that perfectly captures the peaceful side of island cycling. We will naturally take the time to stop and taste the local brew to fully appreciate the craft of this unique area.
DISTANCE | 54KM | 34MI
ELEVATION | 1000M | 3280FT
Longer ride option available.
DAY FOUR MON 23 NOV | YILAN TO HUALIEN
This is the ride that many cyclists dream of doing. The Suhua Highway is legendary for a reason. With the vast Pacific Ocean on one side and towering cliffs on the other, the scenery is nothing short of majestic. We hug the coastline, taking in the awe-inspiring Qingshui Cliffs that plunge vertically into the azure sea. The riding is exhilarating and the views are endless. It is a day where you will want to stop for photos at every turn, so keep your camera within easy reach.
DISTANCE | 62KM | 39MI
ELEVATION | 900M | 2950FT
Longer ride option available.
DAY FIVE TUE 24 NOV | REST DAY
Today is yours to unwind. Hualien is a laid-back city perfect for a slow morning coffee or a stroll through the creative parks. For those needing some body maintenance, we can arrange a visit to a local spa for a traditional massage.
In the evening, we regroup for a special dinner at an authentic indigenous restaurant. It is a fantastic opportunity to taste the wild herbs, roasted meats, and millet wine that define the distinct flavour of the region.
Option for a ride today.
DAY SIX WED 25 NOV | LOOP TO TAROKO NATIONAL PARK
We trade the open ocean for the vertical walls of Taroko National Park. Known as the Marble Gorge, this natural wonder is one of the distinct highlights of Taiwan. We ride through tunnels carved by hand and look up at cliffs that seem to touch the sky. The road snakes along the Liwu River, passing by the Eternal Spring Shrine and through the dramatic Swallow Grotto. The scale of the landscape here is humbling and provides a truly unforgettable backdrop for our ride.
DISTANCE | 56KM | 35MI
ELEVATION | 500M | 1640FT
Longer ride option available.
DAY SEVEN THU 26 NOV | HUALIEN TO RUISUI
Leaving the coast behind, we head into the East Rift Valley, often called the "land of milk and honey" due to its agricultural abundance, emerald rice paddies, and scenic, lush landscape. This verdant corridor sits nestled between the Central and Coastal mountain ranges. The riding here is sublime with long stretches of flat roads bordered by endless rice paddies. We pass through charming towns like Fenglin and Guangfu. Our destination is Ruisui, a town famous for its hot springs, where a soak in the mineral-rich waters awaits you at our hotel.
DISTANCE | 79KM | 49MI
ELEVATION | 570M | 1870FT
DAY EIGHT FRI 27 NOV | RUISUI TO CHENGGONG
We start the day by crossing the Coastal Mountain Range via a winding scenic road that delivers us back to the Pacific Ocean. Once we hit the coastal highway, the views are expansive. We pedal south with the sea breeze on our faces, passing the Tropic of Cancer marker and the prehistoric grandeur of the Baxian Caves and further down the dragon-like arch of the Sanxiantai Bridge.
DISTANCE | 74KM | 46MI
ELEVATION | 825M | 2700FT
DAY NINE SAT 28 NOV | LOOP TO LIJI BADLANDS & DULAN
Our final ride takes us off the beaten track, riding inland along quiet roads before arriving at the striking Liji Badlands. Known as Taiwan's "Moon World", this unique landscape is famous for its barren, sharply eroded mudstone formations. After a fantastic descent back to the ocean, we follow the coast to the laid-back surfing town of Dulan for lunch. It's then a short ride back to our favourite hotel in Donghe for a celebration dinner.
DISTANCE | 94KM | 58MI
ELEVATION | 1380M | 4530FT
DAY TEN SUN 29 NOV | GOODBYE
Early morning transfer to the train station for our scenic railway journey back to Taipei. We'll arrive back in the city around midday, so plan your onward journey for late afternoon onwards.
Unless of course, you are staying to explore a bit more of this beautiful island.
Time to say farewell, until next time.
Ride safe, Puntos.