Location: Yunlin/Chiayi County/Tainan
Distance: 61km Elevation Gain: 1,088m
In our previous posts, #071 to #074, we outlined routes that traverse from Hsinchu in northern Taiwan to Yunlin in central Taiwan through the hills that run parallel to the central mountains. This is an excellent alternative route to avoid the more congested and populated west coast.
So, this is the fifth post offering what we consider a far more enjoyable and less crowded means to navigate north to south away from the dull ‘Cycle Route No. 1’ touted by those less imaginative types. Having said that, signs on the road show that it is part of Cycle Route 1-24, a subsidiary of Cycle Route No. 1.
We have, where possible and practical, started most of our rides outlining the option of utilizing public transport. This particular route starts from Douliu train station. Douliu is the capital of Yunlin County, with a population of 108,000. It is primarily an agricultural area.
From the station, take a right and head south for a couple of kilometers to exit the urban area onto Provincial Highway No. 3 at the 254km marker. At this point, the road is four lanes wide on a good surface. Although it’s not a climbing road, it’s not flat either, and undulates most of the way.
Not far from here, the rider will pass through Gukeng, which features a green tunnel running parallel to No. 3, making it worth riding through. The next major town is Meishan (#028) in Chiayi County, a good place to pick up supplies, but there is no shortage of convenience stores along the No. 3.
After around 40km, the No. 3 narrows down to two lanes, and there’s much less traffic in this area. The rider will see signs for Siraya National Scenic Area, which is spread across Chiayi County and Tainan City.
After 42km (295km marker on the No. 3), the rider turns off onto County Road No. 172, which has been covered in our Guanziling route #051. (Note: if the rider stays on the No. 3, you continue to follow our #024 post)
This is an excellent road with a steep climbing section taking the rider up to 600m. This area is heavily forested with betel nut trees and has several viewpoints of Tainan City below.
After a 10km ascent, there is a sharp downhill on the No. 172 until you come to a 3-way intersection with a short tunnel off to the left. This is the start of County Road No. 175, and it’s just 1.5km up to Guanziling, which is one of the major hot spring areas in southern Taiwan.
This route, at just 61km, is one of the shortest we have posted, but with over 1,000m of ascent, it’s still well worth the effort. Take note of the bonus: spending the night at a hot spring resort to recuperate.
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