Full Island Tour
Not for the faint of heart, this full loop of the island (or 'quan dao' in Mandarin) will take you through every nook and cranny of the most amazing roads on the island. Heading south from Taipei you'll wind in and out of the western mountains through Sun Moon Lake and Qishan Old Street, before then heading north through Kenting National Park, the East Coast Rift Valley, and finally up into the high mountains as you take on the route of the Taiwan KOM. An exceptional 16 day extravaganza that will let you experience the very best of the island.
Arrival into Taipei
Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport to downtown accommodation. Local guide introduction, bike building/fitting, sightseeing opportunities, and night market exploration.
Yangminshan Ride
You'll spend the day riding to the north of Taipei, heading up the peaks of Yangminshan National Park. As well as the 3 dormant volcanoes, the park contains some stunning quiet back roads, alpine style climbs, and of course unparalleled views of the city below.
Taipei, Nanzuang Old Street
Heading south west, you first need to escape the city. Fortunately you can make full use of the extensive riverside bike network that connects downtown Taipei with the surrounding countryside. The bike paths carry you for 45km to Shimen Reservoir, before climbing through the Hsinchu foothills to Nanzuang.
Nanzuang Old Street, Puli
Another day tracking the foothills of the central mountain range, this time with a couple of bigger climbs but still the same spectacular views. The first 50km tends downhill towards the Da'an river, which separates Miaoli from Taichung. Two significant climbs to Heping and Puli bring you to the plateau surrounded by mountains below Sun Moon Lake.
Puli, Chaiyi
From Puli Township you'll climb up to the natural basin that has formed one of Taiwan's most popular tourist attractions, Sun Moon Lake. Sitting in the central mountains, around 800m above sea level, Sun Moon Lake attracts thousands of local tourists each year. Features a 20km descent to Zhushan valley and the ascent of "36 bend hill" with views of the central mountains and west coast plains.
Chaiyi, Qishan Old Street
A beautiful route that continues south, while keeping you off the busy industrial areas of the west coast around Chaiyi and Tainan. The road winds through the lower western hills dotted with indigenous villages. Sample indigenous cooking, lunch in Yujing, and arrive at Qishan Old Street, a former Japanese railway hub.
Qishan Old Street, Kenting National Park
The final day on the west coast. We'll continue to track the eastern edge of the plateau to stay away from the busier roads, until we meet the pinch point of the island at Jialu. Follow the only southbound road with exceptional strait views, on a clear day you can see all the way to Liuqiu Island.
Kenting National Park, Rest Day
Put your feet up and relax, and there can be no better place to recuperate than the beach town of Kenting. Popular with the locals, it is one of the best places to surf on the island. Optional beach exploration, surfing, or a light coastal ride through fishing villages and rock formations.
Kenting National Park, Zhiben Hot Springs
The ride north through Kenting National Park offers some of the best road riding to be had anywhere in Asia. Super smooth coastal roads with almost no traffic, and a couple of punchy little climbs through the jungle that open up into wonderful vistas of the Pacific Ocean. A 15km jungle descent to Daren, with the option to ride or transfer the final 40km to Zhiben Hot Springs.
Zhiben Hot Springs, Chenggong
A slightly easier ride than the route through Kenting National Park. You'll spend the whole day meandering up along the coastal road, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy golden Pacific beaches. Attractions include an aboriginal art exhibition and the village known for its fresh swordfish specialty.
Chenggong, Ruisui
For the first half of the day you get to enjoy more stunning coastline as you continue north along the Pacific coast. Pass the 3 Immortals Bridge and Baixian caves, cross the Tropic of Cancer, then head inland climbing across the eastern mountains through aboriginal farming communities to the rift valley.
Ruisui, Hualien
Taiwan's rift valley is a 180km stretch of flatland formed when the tectonic plates that dissect Taiwan pulled apart, leaving a fertile plain flanked by two mountain ranges. It's the agricultural heartland of eastern Taiwan. Cycle between paddy fields and orange groves before arriving at Hualien city for an early rest before the big climb.
Hualien, Lishan (Taiwan KOM)
The longest road climb in the world. The first 30km winds through Taroko Gorge at a 3% average gradient with towering marble cliffs. Beyond Tianxiang, 45km at 5% average through cloud forest. The final 10km averages 10% through alpine landscape. This isn't just a gruelling bucket list ride, it's a phenomenally beautiful route into the Taiwanese high mountains.
Lishan, Jiaoxi
With the tiredness still lingering from the KOM, the good news is that this is a very quick 120km. It's not all downhill, there are a few climbs, but there's also a 50km descent which has been well and truly earned. The day concludes at the Kavalan whiskey distillery in the Yilan Valley with a distillery tour and tasting.
Jiaoxi, Taipei
Nearly the end of the trip, but still with a classic day's riding to go. You'll ride up and over the old road connecting Taipei with Yilan county. Enjoy the best views of Yilan county on the climb, rice dumplings in Pinglin on the descent, and a final route through Fu De Keng, described as "beautiful, ethereal and also bloody good cycling."
Departure
Our guides will drive you to the airport to say goodbye. Time to leave us… for now!
Have questions about this tour? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions.