When it comes to the Sun Moon Lake cycling path, most people immediately think of the classic loop from Shuishe Pier to Xiangshan. But riders who truly love this trail know that the real scenery lies off the main route in the side paths. This article won't follow the tourist's familiar path—we'll take you to discover those hidden gems that even local guides may not be familiar with.
The Sun Moon Lake cycling route starts from the Shuishe Visitor Center and circles the lake clockwise for about 30 kilometers, with an elevation gain of less than 200 meters—making it a beginner-friendly route. However, what most people don't know is that within these 30 kilometers lie at least seven branching paths, some being ancient paths from the early Thao tribe migrations, while others are forest roads left from the Japanese colonial period. The following five secret routes are my personal itineraries that I've shared with friends over the years.
1. Cat Orchid Mountain Viewpoint at Dawn
From Shuishe Pier heading toward Nantou direction, about 2 kilometers in, there's an inconspicuous detour leading to the Cat Orchid Mountain trailhead. This route isn't suitable for beginners, but for experienced riders, reaching this vantage point before dawn offers one of the most breathtaking sunrise scenes in all of Taiwan. The sun rising from behind the Yushan Mountain range, with golden light reflecting on the lake surface—it's worth getting up at 4 AM in the dark. The one-way climb is about 1.5 kilometers with a 12% grade; a bike with good gear shifting is recommended. When descending, connect clockwise back to the main lake loop, just in time for breakfast.
2. Ecological Observation Section of the Yue Tan Cycling Path
After turning onto the Yue Tan Cycling Path from Huantan South Road, about 3 kilometers in, there's an area especially suitable for ecological observation. Between 5 AM and 7 AM, Taiwan Blue Magpies are often seen flitting through the forest, and occasionally ospreys dive to catch fish on the lake surface. This section has extremely high tree canopy coverage, making it two to three degrees cooler than the main route during summer. Bringing binoculars is recommended—get lucky and you might spot a Kingfisher.
3. The Cabbage Field Secret of Touishe Basin
Turning from Huantan East Road onto Taiwan Provincial Highway 21A toward Touishe, you'll pass through a cabbage growing area at approximately 600 meters elevation. The agricultural roads here are in good condition with minimal traffic, and local farmers often wave at you curiously when working in the fields. In spring, mountain mist lingers; in autumn and winter, you might see the sea of clouds spreading below your feet. Touishe has a grandmother's vegetable bun shop that sells out before 2 PM—if you want some, get there early. This section is about 8 kilometers round trip with no steep hills, making it suitable for family outings.
4. The Sunset Secret of Dajhu Lake Trail
Dajhu Lake at the end of the Water Frog Lodge Trail is the most underrated sunset spot on the western side of Sun Moon Lake. After turning onto the trail from Provincial Highway 21, ride 800 meters along the wooden boardwalk to reach the lakeside. The sunset here isn't as crowded as the one near the Wenwu Temple. During autumn and winter, around 5 PM, golden-orange light paints the entire lake surface in amber. Park your bike and sit on the lakeside rocks to daydream—it has more ritual feel than any coffee shop.
5. The Secret Viewpoint of the Nine Frogs Sculpture
The Nine Frogs Sculpture is Sun Moon Lake's most famous landmark, but most people only view it from the elevated bridge on the Shuishe cycling path. Actually, riding along the lakeside from Chaowu Pier to the side of the Nine Frogs reveals a completely different angle. The light before 7 AM is softest here, with the lake reflection and layered distant mountains as backdrop—a secret composition spot that professional photographers share with each other.
For practical information, the Shuishe Visitor Center offers bike rentals, with Giant, Merida, and other brand models available, starting at 150 TWD per hour, with full-day rates between 400 and 600 TWD depending on the model. There are also multiple YouBike stations throughout the area—scan to rent and return, 10 TWD for under 30 minutes, offering the most flexibility.
Regarding riding tips, the entire Sun Moon Lake cycling path is off-limits to cars and motorcycles, and road conditions are well-maintained. However, some sections share the road with cars and motorcycles, so stay alert. It's recommended to avoid the tour bus peak hours between 10 AM and 3 PM; the best riding times are 5 AM to 8 AM or after 4 PM.
One final reminder: Sun Moon Lake sits at approximately 748 meters elevation, with temperature differences of over 10 degrees between morning and evening. Even in summer, bringing a light jacket is recommended. The agricultural roads in Touishe Basin have no street lights at night—if you plan to ride at dusk, be sure to bring a bike light. The前提 of enjoying these secret spots is safety first—take your trash with you and keep these places pristine.
