Kaohsiung Shoushan to Cijin: A Versatile Training Route on the Urban Fringe

Kaohsiung is one of the best cities in Taiwan for cycling. With its year-round warm climate, well-developed bike lane system, and unique mountain-and-sea terrain, cyclists in Kaohsiung enjoy an enviable training environment. This article introduces a versatile training route that combines the Shoushan climb, flat cruising, and the Cijin coastline, allowing you to cover multiple terrain types in a single ride.

Route Overview

• Total Distance: Approximately 45-55 km (depending on route choice)
• Total Elevation Gain: Approximately 400-550 m
• Surface Type: Asphalt roads, dedicated bike lanes
• Suggested Time: 2.5-4 hours
• Start/Finish: Heart of Love River / Lotus Pond

Route Combination

Lotus Pond departure → Shoushan climb (Chai Mountain route) → Descent to Gushan Ferry Terminal → Ferry to Cijin → Cijin island loop → Ferry back to Gushan → Along the Love River back to Lotus Pond

Segment-by-Segment Guide

Segment 1: Lotus Pond → Shoushan Trailhead (5 km, Warm-up Segment)

Elevation Profile: Lotus Pond is approximately 5 m above sea level. Ride gently along Mingcheng Road and Dashun Road to the Shoushan trailhead (Gushan 3rd Road) at approximately 15 m.

Route Description: Depart from Lotus Pond and head southwest along city roads. This is a warm-up segment, using the flat roads of downtown Kaohsiung to gradually ease your body into the ride. Traffic is light in the early morning, making for a comfortable ride.

Refueling Points:

• Convenience stores around Lotus Pond
• Numerous breakfast shops along the way in Gushan District

Segment 2: Shoushan Climb (8 km, Core Climbing Segment)

Route Option A: Shoushan Zoo Route

• Distance: Approximately 4 km (one way to the summit parking lot)
• Elevation Gain: Approximately 280 m
• Average Gradient: 7%
• Maximum Gradient: 12%

Elevation Profile: The trailhead is at approximately 15 m. The first 1 km serves as a warm-up at a 5% gradient, climbing to approximately 65 m. The next 1.5 km enters a series of hairpin turns, with the gradient increasing to 8-10%, climbing to approximately 200 m. The final 1.5 km includes a 12% steep section before easing to a 5% gradient, reaching the summit at approximately 295 m.

This is the most classic climbing training route for Kaohsiung cyclists. The road surface is in good condition, and the corner design is ideal for repeated practice. Many hikers are on foot in the early morning, so extra caution is required to ensure pedestrian safety while riding.

Route Option B: Chai Mountain Main Road (Longquan Temple Direction)

• Distance: Approximately 3 km
• Elevation Gain: Approximately 200 m
• Average Gradient: 6.7%
• Maximum Gradient: 10%

A shorter but equally challenging alternative route with less traffic, suitable for high-intensity interval climbing. You can ride 2-3 round trips as climbing interval training.

Training Suggestions:

• Aerobic Climbing: Steady pedaling at 75-85% of FTP to the summit
• Interval Climbing: Choose a 1 km section, attack at 100-110% of FTP, recover on the descent, and repeat 4-6 times
• SFR Strength Training: Low cadence (50-60 RPM), high gear ratio climbing to build leg strength

Segment 3: Shoushan Descent → Gushan Ferry Terminal (4 km, Technical Descent Segment)

Elevation Profile: Descend from the summit at 295 m to Gushan Ferry Terminal at approximately 3 m.

The Shoushan descent has many corners, and some sections of the road may have fallen leaves and gravel, so conservative handling is advised. In particular, morning dew may leave the road surface damp, increasing braking distance. After descending, continue straight along Linhai Road to Gushan Ferry Terminal.

Safety Reminders:

• Keep your speed under 30 km/h
• Brake early before entering corners
• Watch for oncoming traffic
• Be alert for Formosan macaques suddenly appearing

Segment 4: Gushan ↔ Cijin Ferry (Ferry Ride)

Ferry Information:

• Operating Hours: 05:00-02:00 (open year-round)
• Crossing Time: Approximately 5-10 minutes
• Fare: Full fare NT$40 (including bicycle)
• Frequency: Every 5 minutes during peak hours, every 10-15 minutes during off-peak hours
• Separate Boarding for Pedestrians and Bicycles: Dedicated boarding lanes for bicycles

The ferry ride itself is a unique Kaohsiung experience. Standing on the deck with the sea breeze in your face, watching the large cargo ships in Kaohsiung Harbor and the skyline of the Tuntex Sky Tower, those few minutes at sea are the best recovery after a climb.

Segment 5: Cijin Island Loop (12 km, Flat Cruising Segment)

Elevation Profile: Almost entirely at sea level (0-5 m) with no climbing at all.

Route Description: Cijin is a long, narrow sandbar island, with a circumference of approximately 12 km. Depart from Cijin Ferry Terminal, ride south along Haian Road to Cijin Windmill Park and the Shell Museum, then return to the ferry terminal along the western coastline.

Segment Highlights:

• Cijin Coastline (West Side): Sandy beach facing the Taiwan Strait, with wide-open views. Strong northerly winds are possible in winter.
• Cijin Harbor (East Side): Facing Kaohsiung Harbor, where large cargo ships can be seen entering and leaving. The road is narrower but traffic is light.
• Cihou Lighthouse: Located on a small hill at the northern tip of Cijin, requiring a walk up the hill (elevation approximately 58 m). If time permits, it is recommended to park and walk up for a panoramic view of Kaohsiung Harbor.

Training Suggestions: Cijin’s flat terrain is ideal for steady-state cruising or tempo practice. You can set a target power or heart rate and ride 2-3 laps around the island for consistent aerobic output.

Refueling Points:

• Cijin Old Street has numerous food stalls (seafood, grilled squid, sliced tomato platters)
• Convenience stores are located on Cijin 3rd Road

Segment 6: Cijin → Gushan → Love River → Lotus Pond (16 km, Recovery Segment)

Elevation Profile: Entirely flat, 0-5 m above sea level.

After taking the ferry back to Gushan, ride north along the Love River bike path back to Lotus Pond. This is the easiest segment of the route, serving as a cool-down recovery.

The Love River Bike Path is one of the finest cycling routes in downtown Kaohsiung, spanning approximately 12 km in total, with cafés and parks along both banks. It is recommended to ride at an easy recovery heart rate, allowing your legs to gradually relax after the Shoushan climb.

Full-Route Elevation Profile Overview

Elevation (m)
300 |        /\
250 |       /  \
200 |      /    \
150 |     /      \
100 |    /        \
 50 |   /          \
  0 |--/    Shoushan \--Ferry--Cijin (flat)--Ferry--Love River (flat)--
    Lotus Pond       Gushan                              Lotus Pond

Extended Route Options

If 45 km is not enough, consider the following extensions:

Extension A: Sizihwan + National Sun Yat-sen University

After descending Shoushan, detour through Sizihwan and the National Sun Yat-sen University campus, adding approximately 5 km of coastal scenery. There is a short climb of about 500 m within the university campus for additional practice.

Extension B: Cianjhen Star + Dream Mall

Ride from the Love River to the Cianjhen Star bicycle bridge, then along Kaisyuan Road to the Dream Mall shopping district, adding approximately 10 km of flat cruising. The Cianjhen Star Bridge is a landmark bicycle overpass in Kaohsiung, with particularly beautiful lighting at night.

Extension C: Fengshan + Weiwuying

Ride east from Lotus Pond to the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, loop around downtown Fengshan, adding approximately 15 km. Weiwuying Metropolitan Park also has excellent running routes for brick training.

Best Times and Seasons

• Depart at 5:30-6:00 AM: Avoid Kaohsiung’s heat and traffic
• Best Season: October to March (cool and dry)
• Summer Caution: From April to September, finish the Shoushan climb before 9:00 AM to avoid heatstroke
• Rainy Season Reminder: Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent from June to August; plan to complete the entire route in the morning

Conclusion

The essence of this route lies in the word “diversity”: Shoushan’s climbs build climbing power and muscular strength, Cijin’s flats train cruising speed and endurance, the ferry offers a unique opportunity for rest and recovery, and the Love River cooldown lets the body gradually return to everyday rhythm. For local Kaohsiung riders, this is a classic route that never gets old no matter how many times you ride it; for visiting cyclists, it is an excellent choice to experience the multifaceted charm of Kaohsiung’s mountains, sea, harbor, and river in just half a day.

Related Reading

• Kaohsiung Shoushan and Cijin Bike Path: A Leisurely Urban Riding Route Plan
• Kaohsiung Shoushan and Chai Mountain Bike Routes: A Climbing Training Paradise on the Urban Fringe
• The Complete Guide to Kaohsiung Shoushan Loop Route: Analysis of a Rolling Circuit Ideal for Training
• Kaohsiung Shoushan Sizihwan Bike Path: A Classic Short Ride on the Southern Taiwan Coast