Jiaoxi → Jiufen 礁溪 → 九份
via the cyclists' tunnel & Buyan Pavilion 不厭亭
Dashed lines are the options for this stage, see below.
Stage 18
From Jiaoxi, keep following the main road that takes you back to the east coast. After about 30 km you'll find yourself at the entrance of a 2.5 km Japanese-era tunnel, now open only to cyclists, leading you to the north side of the mountain! If the weather is good, you may visit the sandy beach at Fulong.
Going further inland you'll pass picturesque small mountain villages. After Mudan, a famous cycling climb leads up to Buyan Pavilion 不厭亭, stretching 7 km to about 500 m altitude. Descend a few kilometres to stay in the touristy but cute village of Jiufen 九份, with hundreds of little shops, tea houses and restaurants all crammed into its small pedestrian-only alleys.
A famous hiking delight is the 6.6 km trail over Teapot Mountain 茶壺山, starting from the nearby gold and copper mine remains at Jinguashi 金瓜石.
Options for this stage
shortcutStraight back to Taipei65 km · 1,160 m up · saves a day
Jiaoxi – Fudekeng – Taipei
If you're a little short on time, take this shortcut to Taipei. Start off with a dazzling series of switchbacks straight out of Jiaoxi. Nothing crazy awaits though, as you won't go above 600 m altitude anymore. The lush hills closer to Taipei are very green, giving away that it often rains here.
The route guides you back via Fudekeng 福德坑, a graveyard hill. The final descent into Taipei will offer you the best views of its skyline, with amazing peeks of Taipei 101. Congrats on completing this route!