Location: Taoyuan
Distance: 95km Elevation Gain: 1,400m
Moving into the second half of the Top 100, we’d like to include a route that passes through every county, starting from a train station. Taiwan’s railway system makes it easy to hop off a train; whether it’s the High-Speed Rail or a local Taiwan Railway stop and roll straight into an epic ride. Every county has its gems, and while we haven’t finalized all the routes yet, I want to kick things off with a hilly loop in western Taoyuan.
Having lived in this area for years, I know the roads well and have a solid plan for this one. The goal? A 95km ride with around 1,400 meters of climbing, challenging but not overwhelming. I don’t want to push it too hard, as that starts entering into endurance territory. Sure, some riders love all-day epics, but here I am focusing on a route that is fun, tough, and doable within 4-5 hours—perfect for a solid Saturday session or a well-spent weekday off.
We might post a few 150km rides down the line, but the emphasis here is accessibility. Not everyone wants to spend from sunrise to sunset in the saddle, and that’s fine.
This isn’t a strictly numbered sequence: posts will be covered throughout 60 to 100 in our lineup. Plenty of roads remain left to cover, and this is just another way to explore Taiwan’s incredible cycling scene.
If you’re looking for a ride that mixes scenic climbs, quiet single-lane roads, and just the right amount of challenge, this Taoyuan loop is a solid choice. Sure, I could break down every turn, but honestly, the easiest way to navigate this one is to grab the GPX file, load it onto your Garmin, Wahoo, or phone, and just go for it. Still, let me give you the rundown of what to expect.
We kick things off at Taoyuan Train Station. You’ll start with about 3.5 km of city riding, which means a few traffic lights, but nothing complicated. As you can see on the map, there are only a few turns you need to make; overall, it is straight to the first climb. Once you weave through the urban sprawl, the fun begins.
This is where the ride starts. Fengwei is a peaceful, single-lane climb winding through a valley. At 4km and 2.8% average gradient, it’s a gentle warm-up, nothing too extreme. A steady effort gets you up in about 13 minutes at a relaxed pace, but if you’re gunning for it, you’re looking at sub-9-minute times. Some of the strongest lightweight climbers have recorded sub-8-minute times.
Once you crest the top, you need to make a left and then a right and roll for about 1.5km, soon you’ll pass the Central Police University. At the light near the Police University, take a left and roll about a kilometer to the next light, where you take a left and then descend for about 1.5km. It’s not a long downhill, just enough to shake out the legs before the next section. Again, I feel loading the GPS file directly to your device is the best method to approach this route.
Once you reach the end of the downhill, at the junction you need to make a hard right and head uphill. Soon you will roll through a short tunnel, you will be under a major highway at the light make a right. There’s a short downhill and then a 1km climb that links you to No. 108. While 108 is a common cycling route connecting the coast to Linkou, we’re just touching it briefly before heading into some quieter roads. The Caoziqi Road is the third climb on the menu.
Instead of sticking to the main roads, this route takes a lesser-known single-lane climb. This Caoziqi Road is 3.5km with a short, steep final section, but nothing too wild. From here take a left onto No. 77, where you will descend onto No. 106, which is where things get interesting.
This is the main climb on 106, featuring a steady 4-5% gradient with some nice switchbacks. It never tips over 8%, making it a great challenge without becoming a grind. At this point, you’ve already ticked off four climbs: Fengwei, the short climb under the highway, the Caoziqi Rd. ascent, and now No. 106. None of them are overly long—most fall in the 7-15 minute range.
Once you’re up on 106, it flattens out, giving you about 10km of relatively easy riding through Linkou. This stretch includes some city roads but nothing too hectic. From here, you head towards Bali, dropping into the Wugukeng area via a quick descent.
The climb to the Guanyin Tourist Center is a steady, enjoyable 3.2km climb that averages 4-5%, with a slightly steeper section near the top. It’s one of those hills that leaves you feeling accomplished without completely wrecking your legs. By the time you hit the summit, you’re about 50km in—right at the halfway point.
At the Guanyin Tourist Center, there is a trailhead for the Yinghanling hiking trail – a popular day hike, this location is nice for a quick break before a fast, 6km descent straight down to Bali.
Once you hit Bali, it’s time to head back up. There are two main roads to choose from: the highlighted yellow is the route suggested in the GPS file while the blue route is an alternate, perhaps the easier hill. Our GPS route takes the steeper one: a 4.5km climb averaging 6%. It’s a solid effort but manageable, putting you back up in Linkou.
After navigating the outskirts of Linkou, you hit a fast 3.5km descent on No. 105. It’s quick, you can easily hit 50-60km/h, and a smooth way to transition towards the final part of the ride.
If you’re feeling done, you can cut things short here and head straight back to Taoyuan. But if you’ve got more in the tank, there’s one last climb: Dinghu Road. It’s an easy 7km ascent, mostly at 2%, with a short steep pitch near the end. From there, it’s smooth sailing back to the train station via Hutoushan, a gentle 8km descent that usually has a nice tailwind to push you home.
This route covers 95km with 1,400 meters of climbing; just the right balance of effort and enjoyment. Most of the roads are quiet, and there’s minimal stop-and-go compared to other routes in Taoyuan. If you want a ride that keeps you moving, has solid climbs, and skips the worst of the city traffic, this one’s a winner.
So grab the GPX, charge up your device, and give it a go!