Taiwan Gravel Route Recommendations: Cycling Adventures Off the Asphalt

What is Gravel Riding?

Gravel riding is a cycling style that sits between road cycling and mountain biking, using gravel bikes with knobby tires on mixed surfaces (pavement + gravel roads + mountain trails). It has rapidly gained popularity in Taiwan in recent years because Taiwan has countless suitable industrial roads and mountain paths.

Why Choose Gravel?

Explore More Places: Reach areas that roads cannot access
Less Traffic Hassle: Industrial roads have fewer vehicles
More Adventurous: The unpredictability makes every ride different
More Pristine Natural Scenery: Raw mountain forests far from pavement

Recommended Gravel Routes in Taiwan

Hsinchu County Road 120 Forest Route

Total Distance: Approximately 30-50K (depending on route extension)
Surface: Mixed pavement and gravel
Highlights: Passes through indigenous villages in Jianshi Township, with cedar forest scenery
Challenge: Some sections are steep, requiring bike pushing or advanced skills
Supplies: Start from Zhudong city center; small shops available in villages along the way

Nantou Xinyi Township Mountain Route

Total Distance: Approximately 40-60K
Surface: Primarily gravel industrial roads
Highlights: Plum orchards, high-mountain tea plantations, indigenous flavors
Best Season: February-March for plum blossom season, April-May for azalea season
Note: Some sections require a 4WD vehicle to access

Miaoli Wenshui to Tai’an Route

Total Distance: Approximately 25-40K
Surface: Riverside gravel roads and industrial roads
Highlights: Daan River valley scenery, Tai’an hot springs
Suitable For: Intermediate and above gravel riders
Bonus: Soak in the hot springs at Tai’an after the ride

Yilan Cuifeng Lake Route

Total Distance: Approximately 30K (from Tuding)
Surface: Mixed pavement and dirt roads
Highlights: Taiwan’s largest alpine lake
Restrictions: Vehicle access is controlled; confirm opening hours
Scenery: ★★★★★

Gravel Gear Recommendations

Gear	Recommended Spec	Notes
Tires	40-50mm knobby	Traction on gravel surfaces
Tire Pressure	30-50 psi	Much lower than road tires
Gear Ratio	Minimum 34/32 or higher	Pushing bikes on steep slopes is exhausting
Fork	Fork with mounting points	Can strap water bottles and tools
Brakes	Disc brakes (essential)	Stopping power on dirt roads is a must
Protection	Knee pads (optional)	Protection in case of falls

Safety Precautions

Gravel riding carries higher risks than road cycling:

Cell Signal: Mountain areas may have no signal; inform family of your route
Plenty of Spares: Bring an extra tube and repair tools
Check the Weather: Mountain weather changes quickly; roads can be slippery after rain
Ride with Others: Avoid riding unfamiliar routes alone whenever possible
Know Your Limits: Gravel routes consume 20-30% more energy than road routes

How to Start Gravel Riding

Step 1: Know Your Bike

Not all road bikes are suitable for gravel. You need to confirm:

Whether the fork clearance can accommodate 35mm+ tires
Whether the wheels support tubeless setup
Whether the frame has rack mounting points

Step 2: Choose an Entry-Level Route

Start on suburban bike paths or mixed surfaces to get used to the feel of riding on different terrain.

Step 3: Join the Gravel Community

Taiwan has more and more gravel communities. You can find like-minded riders on Facebook and Instagram to explore new routes together.

Gravel riding represents a spirit of riding without limits—there are no fixed routes, only endless possibilities for exploration.