County Road 139 and the Baguashan Bike Path: Central Taiwan's Favorite Training Route

Introduction to County Road 139

County Road 139 runs from Changhua City over Baguashan (Eight Trigrams Mountain) to Mingjian in Nantou, about 30 km in total. It’s the classic climbing training route for cyclists in central Taiwan. The road surface is in good condition, traffic is moderate, and the gradients vary throughout, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced training.

Route Data

• Start: Changhua (Baguashan Archway)
• End: Mingjian, Nantou
• Distance: approx. 30 km
• Elevation: 100-450m
• Character: rolling hill terrain with continuous ups and downs

Section Highlights

Changhua End: Baguashan Great Buddha (0-5 km)

• Climbs from the flatlands up onto Baguashan
• Average gradient of 6-8%
• The Baguashan Great Buddha statue is the landmark here
• A gentle ridge section follows once you reach the top

Middle Section: Ridge Rollers (5-20 km)

• Follows the Baguashan ridgeline
• Continuous small rollers
• Some sections pass through a beautiful acacia tree tunnel
• Popular with cyclists on weekends

Southern Section: Toward Mingjian (20-30 km)

• Gradient eases up considerably
• Passes through Songboling (tea plantation scenery)
• Can continue on to connect with Nantou City

Classic Combination Routes

Loop 1: Route 139 + Baguashan Bike Path (40 km)

• Climb via County Road 139, descend via the Baguashan Bike Path
• The bike path has a dedicated lane, making it very safe
• A great beginner-friendly loop

Loop 2: Route 139 + County Road 148 (60 km)

• Head south on Route 139, return to Changhua via County Road 148
• Longer distance with more training volume
• Suited to intermediate riders

Loop 3: Route 139 + Nantou + Jiji (80-100 km)

• Route 139 → Mingjian → Jiji → Shuili → return
• A full-day ride
• A great opportunity to visit the Jiji Green Tunnel along the way

Training Suggestions

Beginners

• Start by riding the Baguashan Bike Path to get familiar with the area
• On County Road 139, choose the first 15 km (turn back near the SunnyHills pineapple cake shop)
• Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm and practicing gear shifting

Intermediate

• Ride the full length of County Road 139 out and back
• Practice holding steady power output through the rolling sections
• Try interval training: go hard on every climb, recover on the descents

Advanced

• Time yourself on County Road 139 as a personal time-trial challenge
• Repeat the climb multiple times in a session
• Combine with the longer loops to increase overall training volume

Practical Information

Refueling

• Convenience stores and food stalls near the Changhua end
• SunnyHills is located mid-route (their pineapple cakes make a great snack)
• Songboling has tea houses and small eateries

Parking

• Baguashan Great Buddha parking lot (free)
• Near Changhua Train Station

Best Time to Ride

• Set off early, between 5:30 and 7:00 AM
• Weekend mornings see heavier traffic
• Weekdays are more comfortable

Things to Watch For

• More scooters and cars on weekends, ride carefully
• Some sections are narrow, take care on the curves
• The descent has a few sharp turns, so keep your speed under control

Related Reading

• Three Classic Climbs on Nantou’s Baguashan: A Complete Guide to Routes 139B, 137B, and County Road 154
• Guide to Fengshan Temple via Changhua’s County Road 139: 4.7km, 153m Elevation Gain, a Great Entry-Level Climb for Beginners and Intermediates
• Breeze and Bells Along the Baguashan Range: A Morning Ride to Fengshan Temple on Changhua’s County Road 139
• Traversing the Baguashan Range in Changhua: A Guide to Diverse Riding Routes Through Central Taiwan’s Hills