Entering its fifth year, the Taiwan King of the Mountains race will commence on October 28. The classic route starts from Qixingtan on the Pacific coast in Hualien, traverses the towering and deep mountain gorges of Taroko, and leads all the way to Wuling at Hehuanshan—the highest point on Taiwan’s highways. This challenging course has long become an annual must-do event for top cyclists around the world, even being hailed by French magazine Le Cycle as one of the world’s 10 toughest races.
This year’s King of the Mountains race will open registration starting today and close on September 5. There are 300 spots each for local riders and international participants. Riders aged 16 or above are welcome to apply, including those who have completed this event before, those who have finished the “King of the Mountains Route” activity within 7.5 hours, and international cyclists eager to take on the distance, elevation, steepness, and climate challenges.
The Taiwan King of the Mountains challenge route starts from Qixingtan Beach in Hualien, near sea level, travels across the Tarako Bridge via Provincial Highway 8, passing through Tianxiang, Xinbaiyang, Biyu Sacred Tree, Guanyuan, and Dayuling, then continues along Provincial Highway 14A to reach the finish line at Wuling on Hehuanshan, which sits at an altitude of 3,275 meters. The total distance is 105 kilometers. The first 90 kilometers feature an average gradient of 7%, climbing continuously through the Taroko Gorge. After completing the 95-kilometer mark, the final 10 kilometers are the so-called “Heaven’s Road,” with slopes ranging from 17% to 27%. Participants must complete the challenge within 6.5 hours.
In addition to its high level of difficulty, the race also offers highly attractive prize money. The men’s division features a total prize purse of NT$2.41 million, including NT$1 million for the overall champion, NT$500,000 for the runner-up, NT$100,000 for third place, NT$60,000 for fourth, NT$50,000 for fifth, and NT$40,000 for sixth. The top six places alone account for NT$1.75 million in prize money.
The women’s division has a total prize purse of NT$440,000, with NT$200,000 for the champion, NT$100,000 for second place, NT$50,000 for third, and NT$40,000, NT$30,000, and NT$20,000 for fourth to sixth places, respectively. Additionally, to encourage local riders to challenge themselves, the Taiwan champion will receive NT$100,000, the runner-up NT$50,000, third place NT$30,000, fourth NT$20,000, and fifth and sixth places NT$10,000 each.