Taiwan Cycling Route Network Overview: Connections Between the Western Line, Eastern Line, and Mountain Line

Introduction

Taiwan is a major exporter in the global bicycle industry, yet it also has a gradually taking shape bicycle route network. For years, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and various county and city governments have continued building bicycle routes, from the Tamsui riverside in the north to the Pingtung coastal line in the south, from the Taiwan Bicycle Route Western Line on the west coast to the Taiwan Bicycle Route Eastern Line in the east. Taiwan is gradually constructing a coherent long-distance cycling system. This article will give you an overview of the system’s main routes, current gaps, and connection techniques.

Taiwan Bicycle Route System Architecture

Taiwan’s long-distance bicycle route system can be divided into three main lines:

In addition, various counties and cities have horizontal “branch lines” connecting the three main lines, forming a complete cycling network.

Western Line: From Keelung to Pingtung

The Western Line is currently the route with the highest completion level. Starting from Keelung Badouzi, it extends southward along Provincial Highway 1 or alternative roads to Pingtung Fangliao, covering approximately 450 kilometers in total. This route traverses Taiwan’s most densely populated western corridor and has the highest construction priority, but it also faces the most challenges due to complex urban sections.

Key Section Features:

• Taipei to Hsinchu: Mostly coastal bicycle paths or shared lanes, with better road quality but heavier crowds
• Hsinchu to Taichung: Some sections run close to Provincial Highway 1, requiring attention to traffic
• Taichung to Changhua: The Changhua coastal bicycle route has been completed, offering beautiful scenery
• Changhua to Chiayi: Some sections are still in the planning stage and require riding on general roads
• Chiayi to Tainan: Coastal riding along Provincial Highway 17 with ample supply points
• Tainan to Pingtung: Good road conditions, can connect to the Kenting route

Eastern Line: Taiwan’s Most Beautiful North-South Route

The Eastern Line runs south from Yilan Toucheng, following Provincial Highway 9 through the Suhua Highway, Hualien, Yuli, and Taitung. It is the most spectacular section in Taiwan’s bicycle route system. The current “highlight sections” of the Eastern Line include:

• Yilan Plain Bicycle Route: The flat coastline from Toucheng to Su’ao, with complete facilities
• Hualien City Coastal Line: East coast riding from Qixingtan to Shitiping
• Huatung Valley Route: From Yuli to Taitung, connecting rural roads through the valley
• Taitung Coastal Bicycle Route: The coastal route from Taitung City to Zhiben

The Suhua Highway section is the main challenge: The Suhua Highway currently has no dedicated bicycle lane. Cyclists must share the general roadway and are subject to time restrictions, making it the biggest safety bottleneck on the Eastern Line.

Mountain Line: The Inland Mountain Route Under Development

Taiwan’s Mountain Line bicycle route is based on Provincial Highway 3, crossing hills and mountain areas to connect inland counties and cities including Taichung, Nantou, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi. The Mountain Line has the greatest elevation changes, making it suitable for cyclists who enjoy climbing challenges. However, due to the high difficulty of construction, its completion level is currently relatively low.

Completed Sections:

• Taichung Dakeng to Nantou Puli section (partial)
• Nantou Sun Moon Lake surrounding routes
• Chiayi Alishan Highway branch line

Connections Between the Three Main Lines

The three main lines can be connected through the following “horizontal link routes”:

• Northern Horizontal Link: Provincial Highway 2A (North Coast to Daxi), connecting the Western Line and Eastern Line
• Central Horizontal Link: Provincial Highway 14 (Taichung to Wushe), connecting the Mountain Line to the central mountain area
• Southern Horizontal Link: Pingtung County Road 185 (Mountain Foot Highway), connecting the Western Line to the eastern terminus of Taitung

Practical Recommendations

1. It is recommended to use the “Taiwan Cycling Round-Island Route Map” App (supported by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications), which allows downloading GPX tracks for each bicycle route section
2. Urban sections of the Western Line often have route discontinuity issues; it is recommended to confirm the current cycling route on Komoot or Strava in advance
3. The Eastern Line is approximately 200 kilometers long and can be completed in segments using TRA trains (Hualien, Yuli, and Taitung all have major stations)
4. County and city transportation bureau websites usually provide the latest bicycle route map PDFs for download
5. Joining the “Taiwan Bicycle Route Reporting Community” provides real-time road condition updates

Conclusion

Although Taiwan’s bicycle route system is not yet fully connected, construction has accelerated noticeably in recent years. The foundation of the Western Line is already quite complete, the natural scenery of the Eastern Line is unmatched worldwide, and the development of the Mountain Line has brought more mountain routes into the cycling map. In the coming years, as counties and cities continue construction, Taiwan may well possess a fully connected round-island bicycle route system, allowing every cyclist to complete this dream journey entirely on dedicated bicycle paths.

Related Reading

• Introduction to Taiwan’s Bicycle Route System: Features and Connections of County and City Bicycle Routes
• Introduction to Taiwan’s Bicycle Route System: National-Level Bicycle Routes No. 1 to No. 6
• The Complete Guide to Cycling Tourism in Taiwan: East Coast Line and Sun Moon Lake Loop
• Taichung Metropolitan Cycling Map: A Complete Guide to Commuting and Leisure Bicycle Routes