Taiwan West Coast 400km Ride: Alternative Route Planning + Complete Coastal Refueling Guide

During the west coast leg of a 9-day round-island trip, many riders get confused about the difference between “Provincial Highway 61 (West Coast Freeway)” and “Provincial Highway 17 (Coastal Highway),” and end up accidentally riding into a bicycle-prohibited section. This article organizes the complete 400km alternative route along Taiwan’s west coast, so you can legally and safely ride from Tamsui to Fengang.

Road Network Structure of the West Coast

Taiwan’s west coast has three parallel road layers:

1. Provincial Highway 61 (West Coast Freeway): Elevated, fast, bicycles banned on most sections
2. Provincial Highway 17 (Coastal Highway): At-grade, bicycles allowed, moderate traffic
3. Provincial Highway 15 (old Taoyuan-Hsinchu section): At-grade, light traffic

West Coast route = mainly Highway 17 + connecting via Highway 15 + short legal at-grade sections of Highway 61.

Complete 400km Segmented Route

Total: approximately 400–450 km, 1,900 m elevation gain

Quick Reference: Legal Sections of the West Coast Freeway

Highway 61 is not entirely off-limits to bicycles. The following sections can be ridden:

• Houlong, Miaoli → Shengang, Changhua (many at-grade sections allowed)
• Shengang, Changhua → Mailiao, Yunlin (partially rideable)
• Basic rule: a “freeway” sign (blue background, white car icon) means no bicycles; a “general road” sign means bicycles are allowed

Practical rule of thumb: shoulder width over 1 meter, speed limit under 70 km/h, no elevated structure → usually rideable

Highlights and Refueling by Segment

Segment 1: Tamsui to Yong’an, Taoyuan

• Route: Tamsui → Bali → Linkou → Taoyuan → Yong’an
• Highlights: Taipei Port harbor scenery, Linkou plateau climb
• Refueling: Bali Old Street, Linkou Mitsui Outlet, Yong’an Fishing Harbor
• Note: Bali area is crowded with tourists on weekends

Segment 2: Taoyuan to Houlong

• Route: Yong’an → Xinwu → Hsinchu → Xiangshan → Zhunan → Houlong
• Highlights: Xinwu Green Corridor, Hsinchu 17km Coastal Bikeway
• Refueling: Xinwu Green Tunnel, Hsinchu 17km Sea-viewing Park, Zhunan Holiday Forest
• Note: Hsinchu’s “Jiu Jiang Feng” (strong seasonal winds) is very intense from October to March

Segment 3: Houlong to Changhua

• Route: Houlong → Tongxiao → Yuanli → Dajia → Qingshui → Shengang → Changhua
• Highlights: Tongxiao Beach, Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, Gaomei Wetlands
• Refueling: Tongxiao bento, Dajia 7-Eleven, small shops at Gaomei Wetlands parking area
• Note: Gaomei Wetlands gets extremely heavy traffic on weekends — recommend avoiding

Segment 4: Changhua to Chiayi

• Route: Changhua → Lukang → Mailiao, Yunlin → Taixi → Dongshi → Chiayi
• Highlights: Lukang Old Street, Mailiao Sixth Naphtha Cracker Complex, Dongshi Harbor oysters
• Refueling: Lukang A-Zhen Meat Buns, Mailiao bento, Dongshi fresh oysters
• Note: Air quality is poor near the naphtha cracker complex, and truck traffic is heavy

Segment 5: Chiayi to Tainan

• Route: Chiayi → Budai → Yanshui → Beimen → Jiangjun → Tainan
• Highlights: Budai Harbor, Qigu Salt Mountain, salt field scenery
• Refueling: Budai oysters, Yanshui noodles, Qigu oyster omelet

Segment 6: Tainan to Kaohsiung

• Route: Tainan City → Anping → Xingda → Qieding → Kaohsiung Zuoying
• Highlights: Tainan Chihkan Tower, Anping Old Fort, Xingda Harbor
• Refueling: Tainan street food all along the way (beef soup, danzai noodles)

Segment 7: Kaohsiung to Fengang

• Route: Kaohsiung → Linbian → Donggang → Fangliao → Fengang
• Highlights: Donggang bluefin tuna, Fangliao seaside
• Refueling: Donggang shuang gao run (rice cake dessert), Fangliao seafood restaurants
• Note: This segment enters the Hengchun Peninsula, where the “Luoshan Wind” (strong downslope wind) is intense in winter

Special Challenges on the West Route

1. Jiu Jiang Feng (Oct–Mar, Hsinchu section): Headwind speed can drop from 25 km/h to 12 km/h
2. Air quality: The Changhua and Yunlin sections have the Sixth Naphtha Cracker and Mailiao industrial zone
3. Heavy truck traffic: Highway 17 has many gravel trucks and container trucks — a mirror is essential
4. Strong western sunlight: Many sections have no shade; departing at 6am is coolest
5. Lodging options: Meals and lodging become sparser from north to south — book ahead

Suggested 4-Day Breakdown

• Day 1: Tamsui → Hsinchu (95 km)
• Day 2: Hsinchu → Qingshui, Taichung (100 km)
• Day 3: Qingshui → Chiayi (110 km)
• Day 4: Chiayi → Kaohsiung (100 km)
• Continue on to the southern round-island leg

Recommended Rider Types

• Round-island challengers: This is the core of the west round-island route — finishing it means you’re halfway done
• Speed chasers: Hsinchu and Taichung sections have very long flat roads, ideal for practicing steady cruising above 30 km/h
• Not recommended for: solo beginners (gravel truck risk), family group rides (road conditions and air quality)
• Foodies: The densest concentration of west coast street food — this is an all-you-can-eat riding route

The west coast may not be as dreamy as the east coast, but it has the densest refueling stops, the most lodging options, and the most convenient train support, making it the most practical road network for long-distance training. Ride with a partner, install a mirror, and wear a mask through the industrial zone sections — safety always comes first.

Related Reading

• Cycling the West Coast Freeway: Taiwan’s Longest Flat Coastal Training Ground
• Taiwan’s West Coast Cycling Tour: A Leisurely Coastal Ride from Hsinchu to Tainan
• Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Coastal Cycling Route: Riding the North Coast from Keelung to Yilan
• A Complete Overview of Taiwan’s Cycling Route Network: How the West, East, and Mountain Trunk Lines Connect