Taiwan Round-Island Cycling Route Planning: A Strategic Analysis of Clockwise vs. Counterclockwise

Cycling around Taiwan is a bucket-list dream for many Taiwanese cyclists, but the first decision you face is: clockwise or counterclockwise? This seemingly simple choice actually involves multiple factors including wind direction, sunlight, road conditions, and the distribution of supply points. This article provides a thorough analysis from both scientific and practical angles to help you make the choice that suits you best.

Basic Route Overview

Taiwan’s Round-Island Cycling Route No. 1 is about 968 km long, with the typical riding distance ranging from 900-1,100 km depending on the route chosen. A typical trip takes 9-12 days, riding 80-120 km per day.

Total elevation gain for the loop: approximately 6,000-8,000 meters (depending on route choice), concentrated mainly on the Suhua section and the Nanhui (South-Link) section in the east.

Clockwise (North up the west coast → South down the east coast)

Route direction: Taipei → Taoyuan → Taichung → Tainan → Kaohsiung → Pingtung → Taitung → Hualien → Yilan → Taipei

Advantages

1. Favorable winds (winter)

Taiwan’s prevailing winter wind is the northeast monsoon. Riding clockwise, you get crosswinds or slight tailwinds heading south along the west coast; the northbound stretch on the east coast is a headwind, but by then you’ve already accumulated several days of experience and your body has adapted better. However, be aware that the headwind section around the northeast cape in winter can be very tough.

2. Easy-then-hard pacing

The west coast plains are flat, ideal for warming up and adapting during the first few days. Once your fitness has kicked in, you then face the more challenging mountain sections on the east coast.

3. Riding on the mountain side

Vehicles in Taiwan drive on the right, so riding clockwise along coastal sections like the Suhua Highway puts cyclists on the mountain side of the road, which is relatively safer. This is an important safety consideration for many cyclists who choose the clockwise direction.

Disadvantages

• Strong crosswinds are possible heading south along the west coast in summer
• If bad weather hits the east coast section in the final days, it can be harder to cope since your energy is already depleted
• The scenery of the Hualien-Taitung section is spectacular, but you may be too tired to fully enjoy it by that point

Counterclockwise (North up the east coast → South down the west coast)

Route direction: Taipei → Yilan → Hualien → Taitung → Pingtung → Kaohsiung → Tainan → Taichung → Taoyuan → Taipei

Advantages

1. Favorable winds (summer)

The prevailing summer wind is the southwest monsoon. Riding counterclockwise, you get mostly tailwinds or crosswinds heading north along the east coast. If there’s a southerly wind assist on the Suhua section from Hualien to Yilan, it can be noticeably easier.

2. Enjoy the highlight sections while still fresh

The Huadong (Hualien-Taitung) Valley and the Pacific coastline — the most spectacular sections — are scheduled in the first half of the trip, when you’re still full of energy and in the best mood, letting you fully enjoy the scenery.

3. An easier finish on the west coast

The final days are spent riding the flat west coast plains, where terrain is easy and supplies are convenient, so you can still finish steadily even as your energy declines. There’s a psychological advantage of “getting easier as you go.”

Disadvantages

• Riding the seaward side of the Suhua Highway gives a stronger sense of exposure above the cliffs
• You face the climbing challenge of the Beiyi Highway or Suhua on day one
• The east coast section may encounter strong northeast monsoon winds in winter

In-Depth Wind Analysis

Wind direction is the most critical factor in choosing which direction to ride the loop. Here are the recommendations by season:

Important note: Wind direction is only a statistical tendency — actual weather can vary greatly. It’s recommended to closely monitor the weather forecast the week before departure and keep your itinerary flexible.

Sunlight and Temperature Considerations

Clockwise

• When heading south along the west coast, the sun is on your left side (east in the morning, west in the afternoon)
• In the afternoon, sunlight hits your left side directly (western sun exposure)

Counterclockwise

• When heading north along the east coast in the early morning, you face the rising sun directly
• When heading south along the west coast in the afternoon, the setting sun is behind you

Regardless of direction, it’s recommended to depart around 5:30-6:00 AM, rest during the peak UV hours of 11:00 AM-2:00 PM, and continue riding after 2:00 PM.

Accommodation Planning

9-Day Round-Island Itinerary (Clockwise)

9-Day Round-Island Itinerary (Counterclockwise)

Supply Strategy

West Coast

Convenience store density is extremely high, with one roughly every 3-5 km, so supplies are never an issue. You can travel light, carrying just 1-2 bottles of water.

East Coast

The gaps between supply points widen, and the following sections need particular attention:

• Suhua Highway: About 30 km with no supplies between Nan’ao and Heping
• Hualien Shoufeng to Fenglin: Convenience stores spaced roughly 15-20 km apart
• Taitung Changbin to Chenggong: Only small grocery stores over roughly 25 km
• Nanhui (South-Link) Highway: Sparse supplies over about 35 km between Dawu and Fengang

It’s recommended that on the east coast, each time you stop at a supply point, make sure you carry at least 2 bottles of water and enough food to last through the next 30 km.

Special Guide to the Suhua Highway

The Suhua Highway is the most challenging and most spectacular section of the round-island route, and must be faced regardless of direction.

Elevation profile: Starting from Su’ao at about 10 meters, it climbs over the first 15 km to about 450 meters (the highest point on the Suhua section), then descends with ups and downs to about 20 meters at Nan’ao. From Nan’ao to Heping there’s another small climb of about 200 meters, followed by rolling terrain along the coast to Chongde, before finally descending to about 10 meters at Xincheng. The full section is about 95 km, with a total elevation gain of roughly 1,200 meters.

Safety tips:

• Wear bright, reflective clothing
• Try to ride on weekdays to avoid heavy holiday traffic
• Depart early in the morning and pass through the most dangerous tunnel sections before noon
• When encountering gravel trucks, slow down and pull to the side to let them pass

Final Recommendations

First-time riders: It’s recommended to choose the clockwise direction (safety-focused) and allow a more relaxed 10-12 day itinerary.

Experienced riders: Choose your direction based on the wind pattern of your departure season — 9 days is enough to complete the loop.

Those seeking a challenge: Head out counterclockwise and face the shock of the Suhua Highway on day one for an adrenaline rush right from the start.

Whichever direction you choose, the sense of accomplishment from riding around the island is the same. When you pedal your way around this island, that feeling of achievement will become an unforgettable memory for life.

Related Reading

• Taiwan Round-Island Route Planning: Choosing Between Clockwise and Counterclockwise
• 9-Day Taiwan Round-Island Cycling Plan: Pros, Cons, and Daily Mileage for Clockwise vs. Counterclockwise
• Counterclockwise vs. Clockwise Round-Island: Differences in Difficulty and Scenery Between the Two Directions
• Counterclockwise vs. Clockwise Round-Island: A Complete Comparison of Wind, Gradient, and Traffic