Ride along lakeshores and old railways tracks alike: Discover Taiwan’s 15 most scenic bike paths

▲ Known as the kingdom of cycling, Taiwan is a place where many people enjoy going on cycling trips in their free time, combining the joy of mini-vacations with the benefits of exercise. (Photo provided by Kao Shih-hsuan)

Tourism Center / Taipei Report

Late spring to early summer is the golden period for many to actively lose weight. To welcome the arrival of the hot summer, a well-known domestic portal has unveiled its recommended “cycling slimming travel” routes. Five travel writers, travel bloggers, and cycling enthusiasts jointly selected Taiwan’s top 15 “cycling slimming travel” routes, allowing the public to experience distinctive bike paths across the island while traveling, and also achieving the benefits of calorie burning, weight loss, and carbon reduction.

In the north, the “New Taipei – Bali Bicycle Path” is 15 kilometers long, with a route that alternates between wooden boardwalks and concrete pavement. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape where the Tamsui River intersects with Datun Mountain. The attractions combine cultural leisure and ecological observation. Cyclists can stop for a bite at snack stalls on Bali’s Left Bank Sightseeing Street or dine at restaurants along the Seaview Boulevard before continuing their journey. The “Taoyuan – Xinyi Green Corridor” is about 4 to 5 kilometers long, consisting of tree-lined avenues and coastal roads. It features facilities such as wooden deck platforms, ocean-view pavilions, driftwood parks, and beaches, making it perfect for family outings.

In central Taiwan, the “Nantou – Sun Moon Lake Loop Cycling Path” is 32 kilometers long, built along the lakeshore, and includes a water bicycle path and an artificial lakeside beach. With its stunning scenery, rich indigenous culture, and abundant natural ecology, it was selected by CNN Travel as one of the world’s top ten most beautiful bike paths. The “Taichung – Dongfeng Railway Green Corridor plus Houfeng Iron Horse Path” includes the Dongfeng Railway Green Corridor, Taiwan’s first bike path converted from an abandoned railway track and the only fully enclosed cycling-only lane, stretching twelve kilometers without vehicle interference. Along the way, cyclists can experience the culture of old railways and remnants left by the 921 earthquake. This connects to the nation’s first tunnel-built cycling path — the Houfeng Iron Horse Path — which passes through Tunnel No. 9 and the old mountain line Huoliang Steel Bridge, offering breathtaking views.

▲ A detailed chart of all 15 scenic bike paths across Taiwan. (Photo provided by the operator)

In the south, the “Kaohsiung – West Harbor Line Bicycle Path” has transformed the abandoned space of an old railway into a bike path and leisure walkway. The route passes by Fisherman’s Wharf, the Kaohsiung Harbor Archway, Pier-2 Art Center, and Yancheng Tourist Wharf, weaving through the ports of Kaohsiung. Here, you’ll be immersed in the harbor city atmosphere and can also experience the creative spirit of old warehouses repurposed into cultural spaces, easily sensing the charm of both old and new Kaohsiung.

Additionally, there are eastern routes such as the “Taitung – Guanshan Town Loop Bicycle Path,” “Taitung – Luye Longtian Bicycle Path,” and “Yilan – Linmei Shiban Trail”; as well as outlying island routes including the “Penghu – Qimei Bicycle Path,” “Pingtung – Little Liuqiu Island Loop Bicycle Path,” and “Matsu – Shiwei Mountain Trail + Andong Tunnel,” each offering unique cycling experiences shaped by their distinctive landscapes.