North Coast Cycling Route: Riding the Coastline from Tamsui to Keelung

The North Coast is Taipei cyclists’ favorite coastal ride. From Tamsui (淡水) Fisherman’s Wharf to Heping Island (和平島) in Keelung (基隆), Provincial Highway 2 winds along Taiwan’s northernmost coastline for about 65 kilometers. Along the way you’ll find strange rock formations, azure sea and sky, fishing-port charm, and countless photo spots — a classic route that combines training value with sightseeing.

Basic Route Information

• Start: Tamsui MRT Station / Fisherman’s Wharf
• End: Keelung Station / Heping Island
• Total distance: About 65 km (Tamsui → Keelung)
• Total elevation gain: About 600-700 meters
• Road conditions: Provincial Highway 2, paved, good quality
• Recommended riding time: 3-5 hours
• Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate — the rolling sections require a fair amount of stamina)

Elevation Profile Analysis

The North Coast route is a classic “coastal rolling” terrain — there are no long continuous climbs, but the short rises come one after another, and the cumulative elevation gain shouldn’t be underestimated.

Detailed profile:

• Tamsui (0km): Elevation 5 meters
• Sanzhi (三芝, 12km): Elevation 30 meters, passing Qianshuiwan (淺水灣), with a roughly 2% gentle grade
• Shimen (石門, 20km): Elevation 15 meters, a slight descent after Baisha Bay (白沙灣)
• Laomei (老梅, 24km): Elevation 20 meters, home to the Laomei Green Reef
• Cape Fuguei (富貴角, 26km): Elevation 25 meters, Taiwan’s northernmost point
• Jinshan (金山, 35km): Elevation 10 meters, a descent into downtown Jinshan
• Wanli → Yehliu (萬里→野柳, 42km): Elevation 5-50 meters, the most undulating section, with two short climbs of about 4-5%
• Climb toward Keelung (50-55km): Elevation rises to about 80 meters, the highest point of the entire route, at a grade of about 3-4%
• Keelung (65km): Elevation 5 meters

Most challenging section: The rolling stretch between Wanli and Keelung (42-55km). The consecutive short climbs are especially tough in the second half of the ride, when your energy is running low. It’s best to fuel up thoroughly in Jinshan before tackling it.

Segment-by-Segment Route Guide

Segment 1: Tamsui → Sanzhi (12 km)

After leaving downtown Tamsui, head north along Highway 2, passing Qianshuiwan and the small town of Sanzhi. This is the warm-up segment — the terrain is gentle, and there are several seaview cafés along the way.

Photo spots:

• Qianshuiwan (淺水灣): A cluster of beachside cafés, perfect for a coffee before setting off
• Sanzhi Visitor Center: A good place for a brief stop to learn about the local culture

Supply points: Plenty of options in downtown Tamsui; a 7-Eleven convenience store in Sanzhi

Segment 2: Sanzhi → Shimen (8 km)

Continue along the coast, passing Baisha Bay and Linshanbi Fishing Harbor (麟山鼻漁港). This is where the North Coast’s spectacular scenery really begins to unfold, with blue sky and sea against white sand.

Photo spots:

• Baisha Bay (白沙灣): The North Coast’s largest beach, a popular spot for summer water play
• Linshanbi Trail (麟山鼻步道): A volcanic rock coastal landscape

Segment 3: Shimen → Jinshan (15 km)

This is the North Coast’s showcase segment — dense with attractions and ever-changing coastal terrain that keeps you looking around every corner.

Photo spots:

• Shimen Cave (石門洞): A natural sea arch and a landmark of the North Coast
• Laomei Green Reef (老梅綠石槽): A green algae-covered reef that appears only from March to May each year, unique in Taiwan
• Cape Fuguei Lighthouse (富貴角燈塔): Taiwan’s northernmost lighthouse, with a distinctive black-and-white octagonal shape
• Shimen Wedding Photo Square (石門婚紗廣場): White Mediterranean-style buildings, a favorite for photos
• Tiaoshi Coast (跳石海岸): A striking landscape of giant boulders scattered along the shore

Supply points: A small shop in Shimen; Jinshan Old Street has plentiful snacks and convenience stores (an important supply stop)

Jinshan supply tips: Jinshan is the most important midway supply point on the route (roughly the halfway mark). It’s recommended to stop for 15-20 minutes here to refuel on food and water. Jinshan duck is a local specialty, but it’s best to choose light, easily digestible food while riding.

Segment 4: Jinshan → Wanli → Yehliu (12 km)

After leaving Jinshan, the terrain starts to roll, with two noticeable short climbs. The coastal scenery around Wanli (萬里) shifts from sandy beach to rocky shore, becoming rougher and more dramatic.

Photo spots:

• Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園): A world-class geological landscape, home to the Queen’s Head, one of Taiwan’s most famous natural landmarks. It’s recommended to lock your bike and walk in (admission NT$80, roughly 40-60 minutes to explore)

Supply points: A convenience store in Wanli; snack stalls at the Yehliu parking lot

Segment 5: Yehliu → Keelung (13 km)

The final segment is the most undulating stretch of the entire route, climbing over a roughly 80-meter rise before descending into Keelung. Along the way, Keelung Islet (基隆嶼) rises from the sea in a striking view.

Photo spots:

• Heping Island Park (和平島公園): Keelung’s most beautiful coastal geopark
• Zhengbin Fishing Harbor Colorful Houses (正濱漁港彩色屋): A vividly colored fishing harbor, nicknamed “Taiwan’s Venice”
• Keelung Miaokou Night Market (基隆廟口夜市): The perfect reward after reaching the finish line

Supply points: Plentiful options in downtown Keelung

Wind Strategy

Wind direction is the single most important external factor on a North Coast ride, directly affecting both the riding experience and energy expenditure.

Seasonal Wind Directions

Season	Prevailing Wind	Recommended Direction	Notes
Winter (Nov-Mar)	Strong northeasterly	Keelung → Tamsui	Tailwind riding, saves about 30% effort
Spring (Mar-May)	Easterly shifting to southerly	Tamsui → Keelung	Slight tailwind or calm
Summer (Jun-Sep)	Southwesterly or calm	Either direction	Lighter winds, comfortable both ways
Autumn (Sep-Nov)	Northeasterly, strengthening	Keelung → Tamsui	Clear tailwind advantage

Important reminder: The winter northeast monsoon on the North Coast can reach force 6-7, making a headwind ride an almost disastrous experience. It’s strongly recommended to start from Keelung toward Tamsui in winter instead.

Wind Safety Measures

• Lower your center of gravity in strong winds and grip the drops
• Stay steady on a straight line through crosswind sections; avoid sudden turns
• In group rides, use drafting to reduce wind resistance (lead rider blocks the wind, rotate pulls)
• Bring a windbreaker or vest to prevent chilling on descents

Return Transportation

Option A: Ride back the same way (130 km round trip)

Suitable for cyclists with strong stamina, who can try a different pacing strategy on the return leg. Wind direction should still be factored in.

Option B: Return by train

• Take the Taiwan Railway from Keelung Station to Taipei, then transfer to the MRT to Tamsui
• Bicycles can be brought directly onto the train (with a bike bag or a folding bike)
• Journey takes about 1-1.5 hours

Option C: Return by bus

• Buses run directly from Keelung to Taipei, but bringing a bicycle is inconvenient
• Better suited to folding-bike riders

Option D: Two-way meet-up ride

• Arrange with friends: one group starts from Tamsui, the other from Keelung, meeting in Jinshan to swap car keys

Best Times to Ride

• Spring and autumn: Suitable all day; departing around 7:00-8:00 is recommended
• Summer: Best to depart at 5:30 AM, completing most of the route before 10:00 to avoid the heat
• Winter: Depart after 9:00, once temperatures have risen. Watch for light rain that can come with the northeast wind

Safety Notes

1. Traffic on Highway 2: Heavy on weekends, especially between Jinshan and Wanli. Riding on weekdays or in the early morning is recommended
2. Tunnel safety: There are several short tunnels along the route — be sure to turn on your front and rear lights
3. Rockfall areas: Some sections near the hillside have rockfall warnings; do not stop under the rock face
4. Sun protection: The coastline offers no shade and UV exposure is intense — apply SPF50 sunscreen for the entire ride

Equipment Recommendations

• Bike lights: Front and rear lights are essential (for tunnels)
• Windbreaker: A lightweight windbreaker or vest (for descents and sea breeze)
• Water bottles: At least 2, since supply points can be 10-15 km apart
• Sun protection: Arm sleeves, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Repair tools: Spare tube, CO2 inflator, multi-tool

Conclusion

The North Coast cycling route is one you’ll want to ride again and again. Every season and every time of day reveals a different face — the green reef in spring, the deep blue water in summer, the golden sunsets of autumn, and the waves crashing ashore in winter. At 65 kilometers, the distance isn’t long, but the sheer density of scenery along the way makes every ride feel like a rendezvous with the sea. Grab your bike, pick a good day, and go for a sea-breeze ride along the North Coast.

Related Reading

• Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Coastal Cycling Route: Riding the North Coast from Keelung to Yilan
• Taiwan North Coast 200km One-Day Challenge: A Double Century Starting from Taipei
• 5 North Coast Riding Options: A Full Comparison of the North 2 Line, Danjin, Coastal, and Gongliao Routes
• Keelung North Coast Cycling: The Coastal Scenery of Yehliu, Jinshan, and Shimen