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Komoot's 16,500 m elevation is faulty.
Northern Loop
Mountains, Sun Moon Lake and Taiwan's highest road, back via Jiufen
8 riding days +1 easier day · +1 rest day.
Summary
This cycling adventure through northern Taiwan begins beneath the gleaming Taipei 101, where the buzz of the city quickly gives way to winding mountain roads. A short first day takes you up into the hills to Fuxing, followed by a demanding but rewarding ride alongside the tranquil Shimen Reservoir to Neiwan and over the mountains to Nanzhuang. You can choose to take it easier on Provincial Highway 3, or push yourself on the breathtaking Yulao Pass.
Read the full summary
This cycling adventure through northern Taiwan begins beneath the gleaming Taipei 101, where the buzz of the city quickly gives way to winding mountain roads. A short first day takes you up into the hills to Fuxing, followed by a demanding but rewarding ride alongside the tranquil Shimen Reservoir to Neiwan and over the mountains to Nanzhuang. You can choose to take it easier on Provincial Highway 3, or push yourself on the breathtaking Yulao Pass.
From Nanzhuang, the route leads further south through lush valleys towards Taichung, where the descent into the city is best celebrated with a rooftop beer at Taihu Brewing. The next stage climbs the beloved Chikan Peak, passing the towns of Guoxing and Puli, before reaching the peaceful shores of Sun Moon Lake, where you'll want to spend an extra day exploring temples, boardwalks and forest trails.
After this comes your queen stage: an epic climb through the Bukai/Aowanda valley via Ren'ai and on to Wuling Peak (3,275 m), the highest road in Taiwan, followed by a sweeping descent into tea-covered Lishan. From here, you can either continue north through the desolate valley towards Jiaoxi, or drop east through the dramatic Taroko Gorge and via Hualien along the coastal Su'ao Highway, both ending in Jiaoxi, known for its hot springs.
Your final days bring you through an impressive cycling tunnel and the famous Buyan Pavilion climb to the misty hillside alleys of Jiufen. On your last day, you descend past Keelung and over Yangmingshan back into Taipei. Celebrate your finish among the lanterns and street food of Shilin Night Market, knowing you've conquered Taiwan's most iconic landscapes by bike.
Main stops: Taipei – Fuxing – Shimen Reservoir – Neiwan – Nanzhuang – Taichung – Chikan Peak – Sun Moon Lake – Bukai/Aowanda – Wuling Peak – Lishan – Yilan/Jiaoxi – Jiufen – Keelung – Yangmingshan – Taipei
Day by day
- 1Taipei → Fuxing+ easier
into the hills south of Taipei53 km970 m up - 2Fuxing → Nanzhuang+ harder
via Shimen Reservoir 石門水庫 & Neiwan 內灣101 km1,970 m up - 3Nanzhuang → Taichung+ shortcut
via Tai'an 泰安 & Dongshi 東勢97 km1,510 m up - 4Taichung → Puli
via Chikan Peak 赤崁頂 & Guoxing 國姓67 km1,190 m up - 5bPuli → Sun Moon Lake
a short hop to the lake38 km730 m up - restRest day at Sun Moon Lake
See the Sun Moon Lake guide →
- 16Sun Moon Lake → Lishan+ alternative
via Bukai/Aowanda 武界/奧萬大, Ren'ai & Wuling Peak 武嶺 (3,275 m)135 km4,230 m up - 17Lishan → Jiaoxi
down the mountains via Nanshan 南山120 km1,010 m up - 18Jiaoxi → Jiufen+ shortcut
via the cyclists' tunnel & Buyan Pavilion 不厭亭59 km630 m up - 19Jiufen → Taipei
via Keelung 基隆 & Yangmingshan 陽明山74 km970 m up
Total of the stages above: 744 km · 13,210 m up. Options per stage are on each stage page.