Nantou Bagua Mountain 3 Classic Climbs: Complete Analysis of County Roads 139B, 137B, and 154

Cyclists in Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou who want to practice climbing always think of the Bagua Mountain Range first. But “Bagua Mountain” is actually a mountain range stretching 40 km from north to south, from which dozens of climbing routes can be carved out. This article focuses on the three most classic ones: County Road 139-B, 137-B, and County Highway 154, detailing their gradients, distances, and recommended training methods.

Bagua Mountain Range Terrain Overview

• North-South Orientation: Extends southward from Dadu Mountain in Taichung to Mingjian in Nantou
• Elevation: 200–450 m (not high, but steep gradients)
• Climate: Dry in central Taiwan, no shelter from the northeast monsoon in winter
• Road Network: Highway 139 is the main ridge, with multiple east-west branch roads climbing up (B-lines, C-lines)

Quick Reference Table for the Three Routes

Route 1: 139-B Line (Cyclist’s Holy Land)

The most famous climbing route in central Changhua. Weekend mornings with cyclists queuing up the slope are a classic central Taiwan scene.

Route Details:

• Start: “139-B Line 0k” marker at Shipai Village, Changhua City
• Mid-section: Passes Qingshuiyan and Tianzhong Forest Park
• End: Baiguoshan Scenic Area entrance
• Distance: 4.5 km, 380 m elevation gain

Gradient Distribution:

Best Training Methods:

• Short intervals (above 5-minute FTP): Full-effort climb, easy descent for recovery, repeat 4–6 sets
• Threshold training: FTP intensity for the first 3 km, lactate burst for the final 1.5 km

PR Reference (intermediate cyclists, w/kg):

• 4.0 w/kg: 18 minutes
• 4.5 w/kg: 16 minutes
• 5.0 w/kg: 14 minutes

Route 2: 137-B Line (Yuanlin Section)

Starting from Yuanlin, this route is longer than 139-B but with gentler gradients, making it suitable for 20–30 minute threshold power training.

Route Details:

• Start: Yuanshui Road, Yuanlin
• Passes: Yuanlin Baiguoshan, Riyueshan Scenic Restaurant
• End: Connects to the main ridge of Highway 139
• Distance: 6.2 km, 350 m elevation gain

Features:

• Gradient is predominantly stable at 5–7%
• 2 corners offer brief recovery spots
• Many scenic coffee shops at the summit

Best Training Methods:

• 20-minute FTP test: The gradient is stable enough here, making it an excellent venue for FTP testing
• Sweet Spot training: 88–94% FTP sustained for 15 minutes

Route 3: County Highway 154 (Tea Plantation Hidden Gem)

Starting from Mingjian Township in Nantou and climbing to Songbailing, this is the longest route with the least traffic and the best scenery.

Route Details:

• Start: Mingjian Township Office
• Passes: Songbailing Tea Plantations, Shoutian Temple
• End: Songbailing Visitor Center
• Distance: 8 km, 420 m elevation gain

Features:

• The entire route cuts through tea plantations, with tea aromas in summer
• Shoutian Temple at the summit is a popular check-in spot
• The descent can connect to the southern section of Highway 139 for more riding
• Extremely light traffic, training undisturbed

Best Training Methods:

• Long intervals (30+ minutes): Target FTP 70–85% to build aerobic endurance
• Combination training: Climb at FTP, then continue along Highway 139 past the summit for 20 minutes of Tempo riding

Bagua Mountain Range Full-Day Complete Version

Want to tackle all three routes in one go? Here’s how to plan it:

1. Start from Changhua, climb 139-B to the summit
2. Follow the main ridge of Highway 139 south to Songbailing
3. Descend County Highway 154 to Mingjian
4. Take flat roads back to Yuanlin
5. Climb 137-B for a second ascent
6. Descend the main ridge of Highway 139 back to Changhua

Total: Approximately 80 km, 1,200 m elevation gain, three climbs in one day—a great workout for intermediate cyclists.

Supply and Rest Points

• 139-B Summit: Baiguoshan Scenic Area, dense cluster of coffee shops
• Songbailing: Tea plantation visitor factories, souvenirs, breakfast shops
• Highway 139 Main Ridge: Yinshan, Riyueshan Scenic Restaurant, Chishuiqi Park
• Descent Points: Yuanlin Night Market, Tianzhong mochi, Mingjian meatballs

Bagua Mountain Riding Notes

1. Summer Heat: Central Taiwan summers reach 35°C+, recommended departure at 5:30 AM
2. Winter Dry and Cold: Winter mornings are 5–10°C, long-finger gloves needed
3. Holiday Traffic: Weekends 7–9 AM is the golden hour, but also when traffic is heaviest
4. Descent Safety: The 139-B descent has many corners and moderate road conditions; recommended speed under 30 km/h
5. Nawni: Many cyclists in this area stop at the “Big Buddha Bowl” for supplies—it’s a social hub for central Taiwan cyclists

Recommended Cyclist Profiles

• Daily training for central Taiwan cyclists: 139-B for short intervals, 137-B for FTP, 154 for endurance
• First-time climbers: 137-B has the gentlest gradient, ideal for a first climbing challenge
• Wuling race prep: Use 139-B for short, sharp efforts to build repeat-climb ability
• Leisurely riders: The tea plantation scenery on County Highway 154 is the most beautiful stretch of the Bagua Mountain Range

The advantage of the Bagua Mountain Range is that it’s “short but effective”—every route can be climbed within 30 minutes, making it perfect for 2-hour training sessions after work on weekdays. It’s recommended to plan one long climb per week (Wuling-level simulation) and one short interval session (139-B), and a periodized training plan for central Taiwan cyclists takes shape.

Related Reading

• Highway 139 and the Bagua Mountain Bike Path: Central Taiwan Cyclists’ Favorite Training Route
• Changhua Bagua Mountain Range Traverse Routes: A Guide to Diverse Riding Routes in Central Taiwan’s Hill Country
• Breezes and Bells of the Bagua Mountain Range: A Morning Dialogue Riding to Fengshan Temple on Changhua’s Highway 139
• Central West Coast: The Flat Supply Route from Changhua to Taichung