Explore Taichung in Summer: Cycling and Hiking Are Both Great Options

To attract domestic tourists for in-depth travel experiences, the Taichung City Government has specially promoted the “Four-Ring Bicycle Route” and the “Hundred-Kilometer Hiking Trail.” These initiatives establish the “Small Ring,” “Medium Ring,” “River Loop,” and “Mega Ring” as four major cycling networks, while also adding 13 new hiking trails. The Mountain Route, Coastal Route, and Phase 1 of the Fengyuan Boulevard have been completed, with the remaining cycling and hiking trails expected to be fully finished by 2020.

Chen Yu-cheng, Deputy Director of the Tourism and Travel Bureau, gave a special presentation on the “Four-Ring Bicycle Route” and the “Hundred-Kilometer Hiking Trail” during the municipal government meeting on the 17th.

Chen Yu-cheng said that the city government is building a four-ring bicycle route network, including the Fengyuan Boulevard Bicycle Path (Small Ring, 12 km), Tanyashen Bicycle Path (Medium Ring, 45 km), River Loop Bicycle Path (Large Ring, 76 km), and the Mountain, Coastal, and Jiahou Line Bicycle Paths (Mega Ring, 141.4 km), meeting the needs of cyclists at all levels, from casual riders to serious enthusiasts.

Chen Yu-cheng pointed out that the Hundred-Kilometer Hiking Trail features three major themes—"Cultural History," "Natural Scenery," and "Ecological Experience"—and is divided into four difficulty levels: “Family-Friendly,” “Leisure,” “Fit,” and “Challenging.” The design follows principles of minimal intervention and low-impact development. Currently, there are 47 existing hiking trails totaling 95.2 km, with plans to build 13 new ones, adding 34.8 km, bringing the total trail length to 130 km.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau recommends that the public take advantage of the summer vacation to hike trails such as Dakeng, Great Wall, Zhigaozhen, and Lu Chan Temple, or to cycle along greenways like Dongfeng, Houfeng, Tanyashen, and bike paths such as Da’an and Hanxi. These hiking and cycling routes are all under 30 km in length, with activities taking about two hours, making them ideal for family outings.