AlleyhopsCycling round Taiwan: Route 1, bikes on trains and the Suhua gap
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Ride Cycling Route 1: 960.8 km round the island, signposted the whole way, in about nine days. Take the train between Su’ao and Xincheng, past the Suhua Highway’s tunnels, and pack a bike bag: bagged bikes ride free on every Taiwan Railway train.
Whose bike?
- Your own: bring a bag that covers the whole bike. Bagged, it rides free on any Taiwan Railway train, and on high-speed rail with the wheels off.
- Hired: book a round-island bike from Giant Adventure (opens in a new tab), Giant’s touring arm. The Tourism Administration lists more rental firms (opens in a new tab).
When are you going?
- October to April: the northeast monsoon blows, strongest in the north and northeast. Average wind is force 6, with gusts of 8 to 9, and a cold front every five to seven days.Central Weather Administration (opens in a new tab)pweb.cwa.gov.tw
- July to September: typhoon season. See Typhoons, weather and holidays in Taiwan.
- Ride outside both if you can.
Whatever you choose
- Plan stages with the official 46-stage table (opens in a new tab) and route planner (opens in a new tab).
- Book the train from Su’ao to Xincheng. Route 1 has no road stage there; its stage table links the two by train.
- Book beds from the official list of cycling-friendly hotels (opens in a new tab).
If it doesn’t go to plan
- Tired, hurt or broken down? Bag the bike and take the train: bagged bikes ride free on any Taiwan Railway train.
- No bag? Unbagged bikes ride half fare on designated trains, within a quota. Check the bike space search (opens in a new tab).
- Typhoon, or a monsoon headwind? Skip the stage by train.
Route 1 at a glance
- Distance: 960.8 km, with rest stations every 20 km. About nine days.Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw
- Signposted with bike signs and road markings.Taiwan Bike (opens in a new tab)taiwanbike.tw
- Either direction works.Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)taiwan.net.tw
- The south crossing uses the South Link Highway (Provincial Highway 9) between Pingtung and Taitung.
Taking your bike on a train
| Bagged bike | Unbagged bike | |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan Railway | Any train, any car, free | Designated trains only, half the fare, with a quota |
| Booking | Not needed | Online or at stations, 28 days ahead |
| High-speed rail | Free, wheels off, in a soft bag or hard case | Not allowed |
Sources: Taiwan Railway rules for bagged (opens in a new tab) and unbagged (opens in a new tab) bikes; THSR (opens in a new tab).
- Bag size limit: 150 cm long, and 220 cm length plus width plus height. The bag must cover the whole bike; plastic or cloth wrap doesn’t count.
- On Puyuma trains, put bagged bikes in car 1 or 8.
- On long holidays bike carriage can be suspended.
- Riding unbagged? Check quotas with Taiwan Railway’s bike space search (opens in a new tab).