Northern Mountain Route Selection: A Comparison of Cycling Routes in Yangmingshan, Wulai, and Pinglin

The Taipei Basin is surrounded by mountains on all sides, making it easy for cycling enthusiasts who love mountain riding to reach winding mountain roads from the city center without a long commute. Yangmingshan, Wulai, and Pinglin are the three most popular mountain cycling destinations in the Greater Taipei area, each with its own unique appeal. This article provides an in-depth comparison of these three routes to help you make the best choice.

Yangmingshan Route

Route Overview

Yangmingshan National Park is the closest high-mountain cycling destination for Taipei residents. Starting from Shilin or Beitou, you can enter the mountain area in about 30 minutes.

Main Route: Beitou → Xiaoyoukeng → Lengshuikeng → Qingtiangang

• Distance: Approximately 25 to 35 km (depending on the starting point)
• Elevation Gain: Approximately 1000 to 1400 meters
• Highest Point: Qingtiangang at approximately 823 meters; Zhuzihu at approximately 800 meters
• Difficulty: Moderate

Featured Attractions

The highlight of cycling in Yangmingshan is the volcanic terrain scenery along the way:

• Xiaoyoukeng: Sulfur fumaroles with billowing smoke, like stepping into another world
• Lengshuikeng: A hot spring “milk lake,” a rare volcanic remnant
• Qingtiangang: Vast grasslands with a panoramic view of the Taipei Basin
• Zhuzihu: Stunning during calla lily and hydrangea season

Notes

Because Yangmingshan sits on the windward side, fog is heavy year-round, and during the winter northeast monsoon season it rains almost daily. It is recommended to avoid the weekend morning traffic peak or choose to ride on weekdays. Some sections have gradients exceeding 10%, so beginners should ride within their limits.

Wulai Route

Route Overview

Located in New Taipei City, Wulai follows the Xindian River from Taipei and is one of the most classic valley cycling routes in the north.

Main Route: Xindian → Xinwu Road → Wulai Old Street → Fushan Tribe

• Distance: Approximately 20 km from Xindian to Wulai; approximately 35 km if extended to Fushan
• Elevation Gain: Approximately 500 meters from Xindian to Wulai; an additional approximately 400 meters when extended to Fushan
• Highest Point: Fushan Tribe at approximately 840 meters
• Difficulty: Moderate (Xinwu Road section) to moderately hard (Fushan section)

Featured Attractions

The essence of the Wulai route lies in the “valley cycling” experience:

• Nanshi River Riverside: Crystal-clear streams accompany your ride, perfect for cooling off in summer
• Wulai Old Street: Indigenous Atayal specialty foods; wild boar sausage and millet wine are must-tries
• Wulai Waterfall: Accessible on foot after a ride on the sightseeing rail cart; even better when paired with a hot spring soak
• Fushan Tribe: One of Taiwan’s most remote lowland tribes, peaceful and pristine

Road Conditions and Recommendations

Xinwu Road (Provincial Highway 9A) is in good condition, but weekend traffic is heavy, so ride with caution. The road from Wulai toward Fushan is relatively quiet, with alternating steep and gentle gradients, suitable for riders with a solid fitness base who want to explore further.

Pinglin Route

Route Overview

Located in New Taipei City, Pinglin is renowned as a tea town and is also a stop along the Beiyi Highway (Provincial Highway 9), attracting many riders traveling between Taipei and Yilan.

Main Route: Shiding → Pinglin Old Street → Summit of Beiyi Highway

• Distance: Approximately 30 to 45 km from Muzha
• Elevation Gain: Approximately 800 to 1200 meters (depending on the endpoint)
• Highest Point: Highest point of Beiyi Highway at approximately 900 meters
• Difficulty: Moderate to moderately hard

Featured Attractions

• Pinglin Old Street: Preserves traditional street-house architecture with tea shops lining the streets; be sure to sample Wenshan Baozhong tea
• Feitsui Reservoir Watershed: Protected as a water source area, the ecology is well preserved and the air is fresh
• Beishi River: A crystal-clear stream in Pinglin, a great spot for summer water activities
• Pinglin Tea Industry Museum: An excellent place to learn about Taiwanese tea culture

Road Conditions and Recommendations

The section from Pinglin to the summit of the Beiyi Highway has a steady gradient, making it ideal for climbing training. The road surface is generally good, but traffic on the Beiyi Highway moves quickly, so stay alert. To fully experience the tea town atmosphere, it is recommended to stop at Pinglin Old Street for a cup of tea and slowly soak in the local culture.

Comprehensive Comparison of the Three Routes

Comparison Item	Yangmingshan	Wulai	Pinglin
Distance	25-35 km	20-35 km	30-45 km
Elevation Gain	1000-1400 m	500-900 m	800-1200 m
Difficulty	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate to moderately hard
Scenic Features	Volcanic terrain	Valley scenery	Tea town charm
Convenience of Supplies	High	High	Medium
Suitable For	All levels	All levels	Intermediate and above

Route Selection Recommendations

• First-time mountain riding: The Wulai route is recommended, with relatively gentle gradients and ample supplies along the way
• Preference for rich scenery: Yangmingshan is recommended; its diverse terrain and landscapes are unmatched in northern Taiwan
• Focus on climbing training: The Pinglin-to-Beiyi route is recommended; the steady gradient is ideal for building climbing strength
• Food exploration: Wulai (indigenous cuisine) or Pinglin (tea town cuisine) is recommended

Whichever route you choose, mountain cycling on the outskirts of Taipei lets you completely escape the urban hustle and embrace the natural mountain scenery in just half a day to a full day on the weekend.

Related Reading

• Taipei Yangmingshan Cycling Route: The Climbing Experience from Yangde Avenue to Zhuzihu
• Five Classic Yangmingshan Routes: Fengguizui, Lengshuikeng, Balaka, Datun Mountain, and Xiaoyoukeng
• Yangmingshan Trail Running: A Mountain Experience from Beitou to Qingtiangang
• One-Day Taipei Basin Cycling Tour: A Connecting Route Through Yangmingshan, Beitou, and Tamsui