The Quintessential Taiwan Bike Tour
On this classic bike tour of Taiwan you'll pedal along the coastline, descend into the breathtaking Taroko Gorge, and cruise through lush valleys and tea plantations. But that's not all—hike in stunning national parks, try stand-up paddleboarding in Donghe River Gorge, relax in hot springs, all while savoring mouthwatering Taiwanese eats along the way!
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers.
Special Announcement: Taroko National Park is currently closed until further notice due to earthquake damage and the subsequent repair work to make it safe for visitors again. We have adjusted our programs to offer alternative experiences and eagerly await the park's reopening to resume our regular operations.
Wheels
Legs
Water
Overview
This classic route takes you from Taipei in the north of the island, all the way to the very southern tip of Kenting. The first day’s ride out through Taroko Gorge down to the Pacific Coast and into the majestic East Rift Valley is hard to beat, but it is just the beginning!
Riding quiet but amazingly well-maintained roads through the idyllic tropical countryside you’ll pass through sleepy indigenous villages, pomelo orchards, and endless rice paddies.
At day's end, the island offers yet more surprises: whether marveling at the sheer power of the Pacific, soaking away the stresses of life in one of the island’s numerous hot springs or just slurping down a hearty bowl of delicious noodles, Taiwan assaults your senses and leaves you hungry for more!
Craving more?
Extend your adventure with our Taipei explorer for a well-rounded Taiwanese experience.
What's the riding like?
You'll cover 327 km (203 mi) of Taiwan's diverse landscapes, with medium-length rides of 50-80 km each day.
The terrain varies from gentle undulations along the East Coast and over the Coastal Mountain Range. On days 5 and 7, you’ll face some hill climbs with up to 900 meters of elevation gain, but what goes up must come down, so you'll enjoy some fantastic descents as well.
Traffic is generally light, though you’ll encounter some busier roads along the way.
If you're riding between June and September, be prepared for higher temperatures and humidity, which will add to the challenge—but there's nothing a Taiwanese tea can't fix.
Unsure about the challenge? Our support vehicles are on standby for those moments when you need a little breather.
For an extra boost, upgrade to our pedal-assist E-bikes for $375 or a Rikalau Audaz 325 Titanium Road bike for $240.
Highlights
- Cycle through the dramatic Taroko Gorge
- Hike into the butterfly valley of Fuyuan National Forest
- Discover a world of rice paddies, fruit farms, and tribal villages
- Stand-up-paddleboard the Donghe River Gorge
- Soak in soothing hot springs
Inclusions
- 7 nights in comfortable hotels and resorts
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
- Quality bike, a helmet, and support vehicle
- Passionate guides and support team
- Healthy snacks and water during cycling
- All activities, train tickets and site entry fees
- Memento cycling jersey and water bottle
Day to Day
We’ll meet up early in Taipei for introductions before a beautiful train ride along the dramatic east coast to breathtaking Taroko Gorge which forges its way through the Central Mountain Range. Whether shrouded in mist or glowing in sunlight, this sheer marble gorge is a captivating sight. From the station, it’s a short but beautiful drive to our luxurious overnight lodgings, situated deep into the heart of the gorge. On arrival, we’ll check in and then have a bike fitting and take a short warm-up ride deeper into the gorge (part of the famous King of the Mountain route!)
Special Announcement: Taroko National Park is currently closed until further notice due to earthquake damage and the subsequent repair work to make it safe for visitors again. We have adjusted our programs to offer alternative experiences and eagerly await the park's reopening to resume our regular operations.
We have an early start to make the exhilarating ride down through Taroko Gorge, stopping for a short but stunning hike along the aquamarine waters of Shakadang stream, a tributary of the main Liwu River. On pedaling out of the gorge, we’ll emerge onto the Pacific Coast, and avoiding the main highway we ride narrow lanes lined with banana palms and temples, taking beachside rest stops on our way south. After lunch in Hualien we’ll move away from the city and into the picturesque but little visited East Rift Valley, a land of lush green rice paddies and small indigenous communities. We’ll spend the night in cabins magically set over the water set on the edge of the Rift Valley. In the evening we can enjoy a hearty BBQ dinner and campfire.
Special Information:
Today's ride from Taroko to Shoufeng covers 56.9 km (35.4 mi) with an elevation gain of 493m throughout the day. You'll mostly be on paved roads, with some unpaved and off-road trails. With our support vehicle close by and plenty of stops along the way, the journey is both manageable and enjoyable.
Special Announcement: Taroko National Park is currently closed until further notice due to earthquake damage and the subsequent repair work to make it safe for visitors again. We have adjusted our programs to offer alternative experiences and eagerly await the park's reopening to resume our regular operations.
Today it’s a shorter ride as we continue our journey down through the Rift Valley, with towering mountains on either side. We’ll stop for lunch at a community-run organic farm restaurant in an Amis village and have the chance to meet some of the friendly locals. In the afternoon we’ll move on south through prime tropical fruit growing country to our lovely resort set in the beautiful Fuyuan Forest Reserve. The reserve has numerous hiking trails through lush jungle to waterfalls and suspension bridges. Monkeys, deer, eagles and huge butterflies are commonplace, and Swinhoe’s Pheasant are occasionally spotted! When you get back from your hike soothing hot springs await! Dinner tonight is at the resort.
Special Information:
The trail today is a bit more challenging, with a 43.7km (27.2mi) ride and an elevation gain of 701m throughout the day. You'll have two riding segments: the first takes you from the hotel to the Rift Valley, followed by lunch at a community-run organic farm restaurant.
Afterward, you’ll hop back on your bike for the second stretch, leading to a light hike through the Fuyuan Forest Reserve.
The trail today is fully paved, with the support van always at hand should you wish to sit back and enjoy the view instead.
This morning’s ride is interjected with a trio of interesting stops, first the Saoba Monoliths (Taiwan’s mini version of Stone Henge), then on to the Tropic of Cancer Monument, and finally for a well-earned cuppa’ amidst the tea farms of Wuhe. We then take a lovely little cut through road back to highway 193, and now officially in the tropics, bear south through the ever-widening Rift Valley, stopping for a delicious dumpling lunch. After lunch we continue on to our overnight stop perched atop a hill on the edge of the Rift Valley. It’s a great spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the views and in the evening our host will put on a gourmet feast for dinner.
Special Information:
Today's adventure includes two rides totaling 66 km (41 mi) with 597m of elevation gain throughout the day. You'll cycle mostly on paved roads, with a few unpaved trails mixed in. Along the way, you'll enjoy plenty of stops for coffee, tea, local fruit, and lunch.
As well as being a mecca for surfers, Dulan is also famous for a recent indigenous arts revival that encompasses music, painting, and sculpture which can be seen in the warehouse galleries around the focal point of the village, the old Sugar Factory.
Special Information:
Today features two rides, starting with a scenic route to a charming lunch spot, then riding to your hotel. You'll cover 68.8 km (42.8 mi) with 882m of elevation gain throughout the day, the biggest climb of the tour. Expect plenty of snack stops along the way, and our support vehicle will be right there if you need a little extra help.
This morning we’ll rise early to enjoy a sunrise SUP ride in Donghe River Gorge. Paddling the emerald green waters to a backdrop of giant white boulders and lush tropical forest makes for a magical start to the day. The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach, hike, surf, visit some of the local sights or just read a book and rest!
As well as Taiwanese and indigenous cuisine, Dulan has a host of Western-oriented cafés and restaurants serving food from around the globe, including authentic French, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine. There is also sometimes live music at the Sugar Factory on Saturday nights. Soak up Taiwanese life as you rest your legs!
Today we’ll transfer by vehicle along the beautiful but busy coastal highway to Shouka where we’ll begin our epic final day’s ride through the hills of the Hengchun Peninsula. We bear off the main east-west route and cycle a lovely little road through remote jungle dotted with the odd indigenous village before bringing us back down to the coast where we’ll take lunch at a simple seafood restaurant. The coastal stretch here is one of Taiwan’s finest, with the road running right alongside the ocean, passing windswept beaches and abandoned military bases before once again ascending into the jungle in a double hill climb before another lovely descent. The last leg of the ride takes us all the way to the island’s southernmost point, from where it’s just a short ride to Kenting, Taiwan's tropical playground. In the evening we’ll explore Kenting night market and head out for a final dinner to celebrate our incredible Taiwan ride.
Special Information:
Today's adventure kicks off with a 2-hour transfer to Shouka, where your cycling journey begins. You'll be riding from Shouka to Kenting, covering 80.8 km (50.2 mi) with 690m of elevation gain throughout the day, on paved trails.
This is the longest ride of the tour and our last one together. The scenery is out of this world beautiful as your ride past indigenous villages.
Expect plenty of breaks along the way to enjoy the views, sip coffee, taste fresh fruit, and savor a lovely lunch.
This morning is free for you to further explore Kenting’s bounty of activities. A group transfer is available at noon back to Kaohsiung International Airport or the High-Speed-Rail Station. The tour ends on arrival in Kaohsiung.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
With our experience in providing bike tours through Asia, we are able to craft an unforgettable cycling route with cultural immersion, delicious meals, comfortable hotels, and some incredibly photogenic views. This iconic bike tour of Taiwan takes you along the spectacular east coast of what is probably the most cycle-friendly country in Asia. Ride down the epic Taroko marble gorge, along rugged coastline and through the beautiful east rift valley, all the way to the southern coast for a comprehensive look at this beautiful island nation.
