Tataka Loop (Shueili–Alishan): A Complete Two-Day Itinerary

A single push over Tataka (塔塔加) is already unforgettable, but a two-day loop that climbs from Shueili (水里) to the Tataka summit, then descends into Alishan (阿里山) is the ultimate road cycling experience. This article lays out a complete 2-day itinerary.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Shueili → Tataka → Alishan

• Distance: approx. 90 km
• Climbing: 2400m (main climb)
• Descending: 700m
• Estimated time: 8-9 hours (including breaks)

Day 2: Alishan → Shizhuo → Chiayi → (train/shuttle back to Shueili)

• Distance: 70 km
• Climbing: 300m
• Descending: 1700m
• Estimated time: 4-5 hours

Day 1 Detailed Plan

07:00 Depart from Shueili

Supplies: Breakfast finished, water bottles full, 8 energy gels, 3 energy bars, 2 packs of electrolyte powder

09:30 Xinyi (信義, 15K)

Action: Refill water, resupply, restroom break (5-10 minutes)

12:30 Shenmu Tribal Village (神木部落, 50K)

Action: Lunch (1 hour)

• Indigenous restaurant specialty dishes
• Replenish energy
• Rest your legs

14:30 Tataka Saddle (塔塔加鞍部, 65K)

Action: Reach the summit, take photos, rest (30 minutes)

• Resupply at the visitor center
• Drink something hot
• Take in the 2610m alpine scenery

15:30 Begin the descent (toward Alishan)

Note: You’ve already ridden 7-8 hours, energy is limited

• Slow down on the descent
• Stay warm (large temperature swings at altitude)
• Watch for eye fatigue and unsteady vision

17:30-18:30 Arrive in Alishan (elevation 2200m)

Settle in: Check into lodging, dinner

Evening: Recovery

• Hot shower
• Stretching
• Nutritious dinner (rice, protein, vegetables)
• Lights out by 8-9 pm

Day 2 Detailed Plan

06:00 Alishan sunrise (optional)

Location: Zhushan (祝山) sunrise viewing platform

• Sunrise around 6:00-6:30 (varies by season)
• An exhilarating experience

07:30 Breakfast + get ready to depart

• A hearty breakfast (to recover from Day 1’s exertion)
• Resupply fully
• Stretch before setting off

08:30 Descend

Route: Alishan → Shizhuo (石棹) → Fenqihu (奮起湖) → Chiayi (嘉義)

10:00 Shizhuo (石棹)

Stop: Tea gardens, tea houses

• Taste Shizhuo tea
• Rest and resupply

11:30 Fenqihu (奮起湖)

Specialty: Railway lunch box

• You must try the famous railway lunch box
• Stroll through the Fenqihu Old Street
• Take in the forest railway

13:00-14:00 Continue the descent

Route: Fenqihu → Chiayi

• Continuous downhill
• Good road conditions, many curves

16:00 Arrive in Chiayi City

Finish: Chiayi Train Station

• Train / HSR back to Taichung or Taipei
• Return to Shueili to pick up your car (or arrange a ride from family)

Equipment Needs

Riding gear

• Standard road bike setup
• Gear ratio: 34T × 11-34T (at minimum)
• Lightweight wheelset
• Larger-than-standard saddle bag

Two-day luggage

While riding

• Windbreaker jacket, leg warmers (for warmth)
• Electronics: bike computer, phone, spare battery
• Small first-aid kit (painkillers, anti-diarrheal medicine, band-aids)
• Tire repair kit, 2 spare inner tubes

For the overnight stay

• Change of clothes (don’t carry them while riding)
• Toiletries
• Phone charger
• Lightweight evening wear

Recommendation: Send your luggage ahead to your Alishan lodging (ask the lodging to hold it) — don’t carry it while riding.

Luggage shipping

• You can use Black Cat Express (黑貓宅配)
• Or arrange it through a bike shop
• Confirm same-day pickup when booking

Lodging Options (Night of Day 1)

Inside the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

High-end: Alishan House (阿里山賓館, classic Japanese-style)

• Price: NT$6000-10000
• A classic, distinctive experience
• Book early (especially in spring)

Mid-range: Shenmu Hotel (神木賓館)

• Price: NT$3000-5000
• Convenient location

Budget: Alishan YWCA, mountain lodges

• Price: NT$1500-3000
• Simple but sufficient

Around Alishan

Fenqihu: Many guesthouse options

• Price: NT$1500-3500
• Close to the next day’s route
• Signature local cuisine

Shizhuo: Tea houses, guesthouses

• Quieter
• Tea culture atmosphere

Supply Allocation (Day 1)

Prepare in Shueili

• Bring: 8 energy gels, 3 energy bars, 2 packs of electrolyte powder
• Buy: 2 bottles of sports drink, breakfast

Resupply along the way

• Xinyi 7-11: Refill 750ml of water, buy Pocari Sweat
• Shenmu Tribal Village: Lunch, refill water
• Tataka Visitor Center: Drinks, rest

Supply Allocation (Day 2)

Departing Alishan

• Eat a full breakfast
• Keep supplies relatively minimal

Along the way

• Shizhuo: Tea, light snacks
• Fenqihu: Railway lunch box (lunch)

Cost Budget

Minimum spend

• Transportation (round trip to Shueili): NT$1500
• Day 1 lodging: NT$2000
• Meals: NT$1500
• Supplies: NT$600
• Total: NT$5600/person

Comfort version

• Upscale lodging: NT$5000
• Signature dining: NT$3000
• Total: NT$10000/person

Fitness Requirements

Expected condition

• Day 1: 90km + 2400m climbing — extreme fatigue
• Day 2: 70km + 1700m descending — recovery and enjoyment
• Day 3: full rest needed

Recommended fitness baseline

• FTP of 3.0+ W/kg
• Experience completing single-day rides of 100km or more
• Ability to ride 60km+ on two consecutive days
• Regular training over the past 3 months

The Meaning of This Route

Geographical significance

• Cuts through the southern Central Mountain Range
• From low elevation to high elevation and back to low elevation
• Witnesses Taiwan’s vertical vegetation change

Cultural significance

• Bunun and Tsou indigenous culture (Shenmu Tribal Village, Alishan)
• The history of the Alishan Forest Railway
• The engineering achievement of the New Central Cross-Island Highway

Personal significance

• A tribute to Taiwan’s natural geography
• The ultimate test of your own fitness
• An unforgettable road cycling journey

Conclusion

The two-day Tataka loop is an advanced rite of passage for Taiwan’s road cyclists. Treat it as a life experience rather than a race, and you’ll gain far more than just a finishing time. Prepare well, plan well, and enjoy this 160 km journey through the Central Mountain Range.

Related Reading

• Complete Road Conditions on the Alishan Side of Tataka: The 40K Highlight Section from Alishan to Tataka
• Nantou Shueili to Tataka Route: High-Altitude Riding on the Edge of Yushan National Park
• Tataka’s Alishan Side vs. Shueili Side Starting Points: Comparing Supply Points and Road Conditions
• Complete Road Conditions on the Shueili Side of Tataka: A Detailed Breakdown of the 70K from Shueili to the Yushan Trailhead