Taiwan’s Hidden Gems: 10 Little-Known Cycling Routes

Most cyclists know Taiwan’s classic routes: the round-island route, Wuling, and Yangmingshan. But this island hides many secret spots, waiting to be explored.

The following 10 routes are ones I’ve kept private with my riding buddies for years. Now I’m sharing them with you.

1. Eastern Slopes of Dawu Mountain: The Hidden Mountain Route on Provincial Highway 9A

Location: Jinfeng Township, Taitung County
Distance: Approximately 35 km (round trip)
Difficulty: Medium-High

Turn onto Provincial Highway 9A from Taimali and climb along the eastern slopes of Dawu Mountain. This road sees almost no tourists—only indigenous villages and vast areca palm groves.

Best Moment: Early morning, when mist rises from the valley and sunlight pierces through the forest—an indescribable serenity.

Notes: Supplies are scarce; bring enough water and food.

2. Wutai Ancient Trail: Rukai Tribal Mountain Riding

Location: Wutai Township, Pingtung County
Distance: Approximately 25 km (up and down)
Difficulty: High

Wutai Township is a traditional Rukai settlement. The route passes through slate-house villages deep in the mountains, where scenery and culture combine to make this route truly unique.

Road Surface: Some sections are slate-paved (pay attention to tire choice; slightly wider tires work better)

Best Season: Autumn and Winter (when mountain lilies and silvergrass are in bloom)

3. Eastern Section of the Southern Cross-Island Highway: Guanshan to Taitung’s Mountain Road

Location: Guanshan Township → Taitung City, Taitung County
Distance: Approximately 80 km
Difficulty: Medium

The western section of the Southern Cross-Island Highway has been closed for a long time due to road surface issues, but the eastern section (Guanshan → Taitung) remains open. This route is a dream ride for many cyclists.

Scenic Highlights: Expansive views of the Huadong Valley, set against the majestic silhouette of the Central Mountain Range

Reminder: Traffic is sparse on the eastern section; pay attention to supplies and safety.

4. Mountain Mining Route: The Coal Mining Culture Route from Pingxi to Jingtong

Location: Pingxi District, New Taipei City
Distance: Approximately 30 km (including branch routes)
Difficulty: Low-Medium

Beyond sky lanterns and old streets, Pingxi offers Taiwan’s most complete coal-mining cycling culture route. Along the way, coal mine ruins, Japanese-era miner housing, and abandoned mine cart tracks offer a microcosm of Taiwan’s industrial culture.

Recommended Route: Jingtong → Shidi Great Inclined Shaft → Pingxi → Lingjiao → Jingtong loop

Cultural Highlight: The Shidi Great Inclined Shaft site is one of Taiwan’s most important coal mining heritage sites

5. Penglai Creek Valley: Nantou’s Shangri-La

Location: Ren’ai Township, Nantou County
Distance: Approximately 40 km (round trip)
Difficulty: Medium

Enter via a small road beside Lushan Hot Springs and climb along Penglai Creek Valley—a little-known cycling gem in central Taiwan.

Main Attractions: Pristine forest, crystal-clear streams, and Atayal slate-house ruins

Special Experience: The end of the route approaches a natural hot spring site in Taiwan’s wilderness, where you can soak your feet in natural hot springs (a guide is required)

6. Beinan Mountain Rainbow Waterfall: Taitung’s Hidden Version

Location: Beinan Township, Taitung County
Distance: Approximately 20 km
Difficulty: Medium-High

Head north from Taitung City on Provincial Highway 9, turn onto Beinan Township’s farm roads, and follow the mountainside to reach the little-known Rainbow Waterfall viewpoint.

Caution: The final section of road is narrow and requires careful riding; some sections are gravel.

7. Northern Cross-Island Highway Branch: The Forest Secret Route from Mingchi to Cilan

Location: Datong Township, Yilan County
Distance: Approximately 45 km (starting from Yuanshan)
Difficulty: High

Extending from the Northern Cross-Island Highway toward Mingchi Villa, there is a little-known forest road connecting to Cilan Forest Recreation Area. This route crosses Taiwan’s most complete plantation forest, like entering another world.

Must Check: Some sections near Cilan require a permit; confirm road access status before departure.

8. Aowanda Maple Trail: The Most Beautiful Autumn Ride

Location: Ren’ai Township, Nantou County
Distance: Approximately 50 km (starting from Puli)
Difficulty: Medium-High

Every November, Taiwan’s maple trees at Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area turn fiery red, making this one of Taiwan’s most beautiful autumn cycling routes.

Best Time: Mid-November to early December (depending on that year’s temperatures)

Fees: Entry to Aowanda requires an admission ticket (bicycles are charged separately)

9. Jinshan Coastal Route: The Secluded Beaches of Taiwan’s North Coast

Location: Jinshan District, New Taipei City
Distance: Approximately 55 km (starting from Tamsui)
Difficulty: Low-Medium

Starting from Tamsui, ride along the North Coast to Jinshan—but instead of the main provincial highway, take the small roads close to the shore, passing several nearly deserted hidden beaches.

Recommended Section: The coastline between Laomei and Huanggang; at low tide you can walk out onto the rocks and admire the North Coast.

10. Lirong Highway: The Sugarcane Road Ride Across the Jianan Plain

Location: Minxiong Township, Chiayi County → Xinshi District, Tainan City
Distance: Approximately 70 km
Difficulty: Low

Taiwan’s western agricultural belt holds a little-known charm—Taiwan Sugar’s farm roads. These abandoned or still-operating narrow-gauge railway roads cross vast sugarcane fields, offering the best way to experience the agricultural culture of the Jianan Plain.

Notes: Some sections are Taiwan Sugar private roads; pay attention to signage.

The Mindset for Exploring Hidden Routes

Exploring hidden routes requires a different mindset than riding popular ones:

Be More Prepared:

Supply points may be scarce; carry extra water and food
Road conditions may be rougher; spare inner tubes and repair tools matter more
GPS/offline maps are essential (cell signal may be unavailable)

Allow More Time:
Don’t rush to finish. The meaning of hidden routes lies in the journey of discovery, not in reaching the destination.

Keep an Open Mind:
Be ready for the unexpected—whether pleasant surprises or trouble. Embracing uncertainty is a prerequisite for exploring hidden routes.

Conclusion

This small island of Taiwan holds far more routes than we can imagine.

Those unnamed corners, those unmarked mountain passes, those secret spots known only to locals—all await your discovery.

Bring a map, bring your curiosity, and set off.

Taiwan's Hidden Cycling Gems: 10 Stunning Routes Few Know About