Kaohsiung Maolin Mountain Riding: 3 Indigenous Tribe Routes in Dona, Wutai, and Ali

When people mention cycling in Kaohsiung, many only think of Shoushan or Cijin. In fact, the Maolin and Wutai area on the border between Kaohsiung and Pingtung hides the most spectacular road cycling climbs in southern Taiwan. This article introduces 3 indigenous tribal routes to help you discover the hidden Wuling of southern Taiwan.

Geography at a Glance

• Maolin District: Northeastern Kaohsiung, home to Rukai tribal villages
• Wutai Township: Sandimen and Wutai system in Pingtung, the cultural center of the Rukai people
• Road Network: Provincial Highway 27, County Road 132, Township Road 35, Township Road 31
• Elevation: From 50 m in Qishan to 1,200 m in Wutai, you can gain 1,000 m+ in a single day

3 Recommended Routes

Route 1: Liugui to Dona (Maolin Forest Road)

Starting from Liugui, follow the Maolin National Scenic Area, passing through Maolin and Wanshan before reaching Dona Village. This road is known as the “Little Wuling.”

Route Details:

• Start: Liugui urban area (elevation 150 m)
• Passing through: Xinwei Forest Park, Maolin Visitor Center, Wanshan Tribe, Dona High Suspension Bridge
• End: Dona Hot Spring (elevation 1,000 m)
• Distance: 22 km, 850 m of climbing

Key Scenery:

• Maolin Purple Butterfly Valley (purple milkweed butterflies gather from November to March)
• Wanshan Rock Carvings (Rukai cultural heritage site)
• Dona High Suspension Bridge, Dona Black Rice Festival
• Dona Hot Spring at the summit (cold spring, very refreshing in summer)

Gradient Analysis:

• First 10 km: gentle climb at 3–5%
• 10–18 km: steep climb at 7–9%
• 18–22 km: final continuous hairpin turns, mostly 8%

Supplies: 7-Eleven in Liugui, water dispenser at Maolin Visitor Center, grocery store in Wanshan Tribe

Route 2: Sandimen to Wutai (Wutai Highway)

The most classic mountain highway in southern Taiwan, a scenic road heavily invested in by the Pingtung County Government. Light traffic, good pavement, and spectacular views.

Route Details:

• Start: Sandimen (elevation 200 m)
• Passing through: Dewen Tribe, Shenshan Tribe, Wutai Old Haocha junction
• End: Wutai Township Office (elevation 1,050 m)
• Distance: 18 km, 850 m of climbing

Key Scenery:

• Yila Bridge (Guchuan Bridge, a massive 99 m-high mountain structure)
• Aiyu jelly at Shenshan Tribe
• Wutai Church (indigenous architectural style)
• Wutai Yanban Lane (slate house cluster)

Gradient Analysis:

• Overall average 4.7%
• Steepest section is the climb to Shenshan Tribe after Guchuan Bridge, around 9%
• The 2 km before Wutai Village is the hardest, with continuous 10% hairpin turns

Supplies: Sandimen Wind-Rain Bridge, grocery store in Shenshan Tribe, shops in Wutai

Special Notes:

• After entering the “Sandimen Township Office” area, you are in a mountain control zone; in theory, no entry permit is required
• Beyond the Wutai Township Office (toward Ali and Dawu), an entry permit is required

Route 3: Wutai to Ali (High-Difficulty Extension)

This is a true expert route. Continuing upward from Wutai to Ali Tribe, the gradients are steep enough to make you cry.

Route Details:

• Start: Wutai (1,050 m)
• End: Ali Tribe (1,700 m)
• Distance: 10 km, 650 m of climbing
• Average gradient: 6.5%, but with multiple continuous 12% sections

Special Challenges:

• Some sections have gravel and falling rocks
• Must apply for a “Mountain Control Zone Entry Permit”
• Some sections have not been fully repaired since Typhoon Morakot in 2009
• Unstable mobile phone signal

Recommendation: Ride with at least 3 people, carry spare tubes, and confirm road conditions that day (you can call the Wutai Police Station to ask)

Special Notes for Riding in Southern Mountain Areas

1. High Temperatures: Southern mountains reach 30°C+ even in summer; double your water intake
2. Falling Rocks: Avoid entering the mountains within 24 hours after rain
3. Tribal Etiquette: Ask before taking photos; do not enter ritual areas cordoned off with cloth strips
4. Entry Permit: Required beyond the Wutai Township Office; can be applied for online
5. Rainy Season: Heavy rain and road closures are common from June to October; check weather and Directorate General of Highways information before departing
6. Descent: High temperatures on descents can overheat rims; stop every 2 km to let them cool down

Two-Day Combined Itinerary

Day 1: Kaohsiung City → Liugui → Dona (65 km + 1,000 m of climbing)
Day 2: Dona → descend → Sandimen → Wutai (80 km + 1,100 m of climbing)

Total climbing over two days is 2,100 m, making for a solid southern training camp.

Must-Try Foods

• Maolin Dona: Black rice, thorn pepper sausage
• Wutai: Tree bean soup, millet zongzi, aiyu jelly
• Sandimen: Glass bead coffee, indigenous barbecue
• Liugui: Black Diamond papaya, pickled mustard greens, chicken farm restaurants

Recommended Rider Profiles

• Advanced Southern Riders: More challenging than Shoushan and Cijin routes, with adjustable climbing volume and distance
• Wuling Race Preparers: Use Dona and Wutai to simulate the long-climb rhythm of Wuling
• Culture Explorers: Riders who enjoy indigenous culture and tribal experiences
• Not Recommended: Beginners riding solo, entering the mountains during the rainy season, or out-of-town riders unfamiliar with mountain areas

The greatest appeal of Maolin and Wutai is the combination of “subtropical mountain forest scenery + Rukai tribal culture,” a pairing rarely found in other mountain areas of Taiwan. When planning your trip, be sure to set aside time to interact with the tribes rather than just checking in and leaving.

Related Reading

• Taiwan’s Hidden Cycling Gems: 10 Stunning Routes Few Know About
• Dona Route Practical Guide: The Truth Behind 508 Meters of Climbing Hidden in a Category 0 Gentle Rating
• Kaohsiung Dashu to Foguangshan Route: A Complete Guide to Southern Temple Culture Cycling
• Kaohsiung Cycling Routes: The Southern Taiwan Charm of Qishan, Meinong, and Maolin