The Lishan Section of the Central Cross-Island Highway: An Epic of the Cross-Island Highway from Guguan to Dayuling

The Backbone of the Cross-Island Highway

The Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8) runs east from Taroko Gorge and passes through Lishan to the west. The core high-mountain section from Guguan to Dayuling spans about 90 kilometers, with its highest point at Dayuling reaching approximately 2,565 meters above sea level. It is Taiwan’s oldest cross-island highway, linking the Guguan hot springs, the Lishan orchards, and the sea of clouds at Dayuling, offering an unmatched combination of depth and historical significance.

Route Information

Guguan–Deji Section Controls

The Guguan to Deji section is an ecological protection and engineering control zone, with reservation-based and time-slot access. Cycling regulations must be confirmed in advance with the forestry and highway authorities; do not enter without permission.

Lishan Fruit Season and Local Resupply Timing

Lishan is the largest resupply point and overnight settlement along the entire route, and its produce follows a distinct seasonal calendar. If you know which month to match, this ride gains an extra layer of flavor:

Lishan’s town center has a dense concentration of restaurants and guesthouses, making it the preferred overnight stop for multi-day itineraries. Buying freshly picked peaches as ride fuel during peach season is a perk unique to this route. From Lishan, you can detour to Wuling Farm (adding about 24 kilometers) or continue on to Dayuling and connect to Wuling.

Is the Wuling Farm Detour Worth It

From Lishan, you can turn off toward Wuling Farm, a choice many riders hesitate over. Let’s do the math: Lishan to Wuling Farm is about 24 kilometers with another roughly 600 meters of climbing, and since you have to return the same way, it adds about 48 kilometers and double the climbing to the whole trip. Wuling is at its best during cherry blossom season (February to March) and autumn foliage, and the Cijiawan River is the habitat of the Formosan landlocked salmon (a national treasure fish). Recommendation: for a two-day itinerary with the first night in Lishan, tackle Wuling light the next day before continuing to Dayuling at a relaxed pace; for a one-day epic aiming to descend on schedule, honestly skip the detour and save your energy and time for the main line from Dayuling to Wuling.

Climate

Above Lishan, the temperature difference between day and night is large, and frost may form on autumn and winter mornings (temperatures above Dayuling often drop below 0°C in winter). Fog frequently settles over the orchard areas in the early morning. Bring a windproof layer and insulated gloves, and make sure your gearing is light enough (a 34T chainring paired with a 32T or larger cassette is recommended).

Extended Combinations

From Dayuling, heading toward Hehuan Mountain leads directly up to Wuling (an additional 12 kilometers or so), forming a high-difficulty traverse of “Central Cross-Island Highway + Wuling” with a total climb exceeding 4,000 meters, requiring ample fitness and support.

The greatness of the Central Cross-Island Highway lies not in any single climb, but in the obsession it took to split the entire Central Mountain Range open for passage. Ride across it, and you will gain a new respect for the saying, “Roads are made by those who walk them.”

Related Reading

• Central Cross-Island Highway Cycling Tour: The Magnificent Traverse from Taroko to Lishan
• The Mountain Route from Guguan, Taichung to Lishan: The Cycling Version of the Central Cross-Island Highway
• Central Cross-Island Highway Cycling Traverse: Taiwan’s Most Classic Cross-Island Ride
• Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8) Cycling Challenge: The Complete Guide from Lishan to Taroko