Alishan Highway Challenge Plan: 11% Average Gradient Training from Chiayi to Alishan

Introduction

If Wuling is the holy land for northern Taiwan cyclists, then Alishan Road is the ultimate challenge for southern riders. Starting from Chiayi City, Route 18 climbs all the way to the Alishan Pleasure Area (approximately 2,180 meters elevation), covering a total distance of 72 kilometers with over 2,400 meters of elevation gain. The route’s characteristic is a uniform and continuous gradient; the average gradient is about 3.3%, but many sections in the middle reach 10–12%, surprising many first-time challengers. This article provides a complete preparation plan and practical guide.

Route Geography and Segment Characteristics

Key Features: Alishan Road has no “easy sections”; once past Zhuzhi, the gradient is almost uninterrupted. This is distinctly different from Wuling’s undulating profile, requiring stronger aerobic endurance and mental stamina.

Challenges of Alishan Road

Heat Test

Starting from low elevation, summer temperatures in Chiayi’s plains can reach 35–38°C. Climbing in the heat during the first 30 kilometers is a major challenge. Recommendations:

• For summer challenges, start at 4–5 AM to use the morning coolness to complete the low-elevation section
• Wear breathable and sweat-wicking summer cycling gear and prepare ample hydration

Uniform Gradient but No “Breathing Points”

Wuling has several gentle slopes allowing riders to recover, but Alishan Road’s continuous gradient causes glycogen depletion more evenly without respite. To address this characteristic, special training is needed to maintain steady output for long periods.

Diverse Curves

Alishan Road has over 100 curves, many of which are sharp turns with poor visibility, requiring constant attention to large tour buses and tourist vehicles.

12-Week Specialized Training Plan

For the Alishan Road challenge, the following is a 12-week training framework:

Weeks 1–4: Base Aerobic Phase

• Ride 4–5 times per week, each session 60–120 minutes
• Maintain heart rate in Z2–Z3 zones to build aerobic base
• One long weekend ride (150–200 km or equivalent duration)

Weeks 5–8: Climbing Specialization Phase

• Two specialized climbing sessions per week (e.g., Northern-Yilan Highway, Guanyin Mountain, Daxi)
• Include Sweet Spot Training (SST): 2–3 sets × 20 minutes at 88–94% FTP
• Simulate Alishan’s “long-duration steady climbing”: Find a continuous uphill section of at least 30 minutes and maintain Z3 steady state

Weeks 9–11: Intensification Phase

• One threshold interval session per week: 4 × 8 minutes at 95–105% FTP
• One long ride over 200 km (aim to include over 2,000 meters of elevation gain)
• Simulate full-route nutrition strategy

Week 12: Tapering Phase

• Reduce training volume by 40–50%, maintaining intensity
• Carbohydrate loading 2–3 days before departure

Practical Nutrition Plan

Alishan Road has relatively fewer rest stops compared to Wuling, so a nutrition strategy must be confirmed before departure:

• Departing from Chiayi: Eat a high-carbohydrate breakfast
• Zhuzhi (km 18): Rehydrate, have snacks
• Fenqihu (km 40): Most important rest stop; Fenqihu lunch boxes are a famous specialty for mountain nutrition in Taiwan
• Crossroads (km 52): Convenience store supplies
• Every hour throughout the ride: 60–90g carbohydrates, carry 4–5 energy gels as backup

Practical Advice

• Rent a bike or take a shuttle to Chiayi to ensure full energy on departure day
• At Fenqihu, you can take the Alishan Forest Railway down (some services allow bicycles), providing an “exit option” for first-time challengers
• Alishan Road sees many tourist vehicles on weekends; weekday challenges are safer
• After reaching Alishan, arrange 1–2 days for recovery before descending to enjoy the high-altitude environment

Conclusion

Alishan Road is a comprehensive test of aerobic endurance, gear selection, and mental stamina. Unlike the grandeur of Wuling, Alishan Road feels more like a quiet and profound dialogue—between you and yourself. The reward for completing this route is Alishan’s sea of clouds, the mountain full of cypress trees, and the deep sense of satisfaction from conquering yourself.

Related Reading

• Alishan Road Cycling Challenge: A Majorous Ascent Journey from Chiayi to Alishan
• Alishan Road (Route 18) Cycling Guide: The Pilgrimage Road from Chiayi to Alishan
• Alishan Road Cycling Challenge: Ascent Strategy from Chiayi to Alishan
• Chiayi Alishan Road: Complete Guide to the Long-Distance Ascent from Zhuzhi to Alishan