Taiwan’s Top 100 climbs and routes for riders who want more.
Location: Tainan City/Kaohsiung City Distance: 76km Elevation Gain: 969m We have stated previously that it is our desire to cover at least one popular route or loop for each city/county in Taiwan. A quick scroll through our previous posts will show the reader that we…
In the heart of Taiwan’s mountainous terrain, a stark reality stands tall, much like the peaks themselves. To those who dare to climb, it’s a known fact that this island boasts an astounding 270 summits, all of them defiantly breaching the 3,000-meter mark, a veritable…
Location: Hualien County Distance: 90km Elevation Gain: 3,500m The most iconic of Taiwan’s climbs on fantastic country roads is the Taiwan KOM (King of the Mountains). Locally, we call it Wuling; the location of the summit is at 3,275m. It is also called the Central…
Location: Nantou County Distance: 53km Elevation Gain: 2,700m Occupying our number 2 spot in this epic list of 100 climbs and routes is the noteworthy Puli to Wuling climb. This registers as a rite of passage for many cyclists on the island. It starts at…
Location: Taitung County Distance: 54km Elevation Gain: 2,500m There are four Cross-Island Highways in Taiwan, three of which traverse the island from west to east, the fourth, ‘the New Central Cross-Island Highway, is a north-to-south traverse that skirts the Central Mountain Range. Of the four…
Location: Nantou County Distance: 58km Elevation Gain: 1,800m Local Road Nantou No. 89, also known as the Li Sying Industrial Road, is arguably one of the toughest rides for a road bike in Taiwan. It has gained prominence in recent years because of its inclusion…
Location: Tainan & Kaohsiung Distance: 140km Elevation Gain: 3,000m There are four Cross-Island Highways in Taiwan, three of which traverse the island from west to east, the fourth, ‘the New Central Cross-Island Highway, is a north-to-south traverse that skirts the Central Mountain Range. Of the…
Location: Chiayi City/Chiayi County Distance: 97km Elevation Gain: 2,800m Provincial Highway No. 18 (also known as ‘The New Central Cross-Island Highway or the Alishan Road’ starts at 0km in the center of Chiayi City – 10 to 15mins. ride from the train station. After the…
Location: Nantou Distance: 70km Elevation Gain: 2,500m If you have found yourself with the opportunity to do this climb you are really in for a great experience. This road offers some superb scenery, the gradients are not knee-breaking insane, and given the number of switchbacks…
Location: Yilan/Taichung Distance: 130km Elevation Gain: 3,500m This is one of the best rides in Taiwan because of the variety of scenery. Starting in Yilan at the 0km marker on the North Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway No. 7). There are actually 3 roads combined in…