When it comes to cycling in Taichung, most people immediately think of the riverside bike paths in the city or the Wuri River bike path. However, Taichung's vast mountain hills and terrain hide even more stunning cycling secrets. Extending eastward from the Guguan hot spring area at approximately 800 meters altitude through Zhuolan and Dahu, these mountain roads have some incline but feature smooth conditions and light traffic. Along the way, Atayal indigenous villages, strawberry farms, vineyards, and hot spring resorts create a distinctive mountain cycling experience. These routes don't pursue speed—instead they emphasize the slow-travel philosophy of cycling slowly and seeing deeply, perfect for riders wanting to escape the city's hustle and embrace the mountains' tranquility.
The mountain cycling routes in Taichung's Heping District and Zhuolan area are characterized by their strong sense of "localness." There are no overdeveloped tourist facilities here—what you'll mostly encounter along the ride are local fruit farmers, returning youth, or hot spring bathers. The commercial atmosphere is light, yet warmth and hospitality are everywhere. Combined with the valley terrain that creates rich natural landscapes—spring's cherry blossom tunnels, summer's green canopy tunnels, autumn's maple red leaves, and winter's plum blossoms—each season presents a different charm. What's even more special is that these routes connect multiple hot spring areas, so when you're tired from cycling, you can easily find a hot spring resort to unwind. This "cycling + hot spring" combination is rare in Taiwan.
Guguan Hot Spring Bike Path is Taichung's most representative mountain cycling route. The approximately 8-kilometer dedicated bike path runs along the Dajia River, with a smooth, rider-friendly surface and gentle, stress-free slopes. Starting in front of the Guguan Hot Spring Area arch, it passes through Guguan Hot Spring Park, Saolai Suspension Bridge, and Hongxi Suspension Bridge, extending to the entrance of Basianshan Forest Recreation Area. The route's highlight is "cycling while enjoying mountain views"—the river valley's cliffs and distant mountains create a magnificent panorama, and misty scenes are often visible in the early morning or evening. Guguan Hot Spring Area itself features many buildings left over from the Japanese colonial period, such as the former Guguan Hot Spring Hotel site, steeped in historical atmosphere. We recommend planning a half-day trip and enjoying a hot spring bath at Guguan afterward—truly luxurious.
Dasyueshan Forest Road is a challenging route for intermediate to advanced riders. Starting from the Dasyueshan Visitor Center in Heping District, the road winds upward along Dasyueshan Forest Road, with altitude gradually increasing from approximately 1,800 to 2,600 meters. This route isn't a flat dedicated bike path but rather an off-road cycling experience combined with forest roads, passing through original cypress and cedar forests. With some luck, you might even encounter Taiwan black bears or Mikado pheasants—this route preserves rare and precious natural landscapes. The charm of Dasyueshan Forest Road lies in the "unique experience of high-altitude cycling"—as you wind through the forest road, the sea of clouds, mountain ranges, and forest scenery change dramatically, and the crisp air with thinner oxygen feels entirely different from the plains. This route is recommended for mountain bikes or gravel bikes and requires a solid fitness base. The best cycling season is autumn (October to November), when maple foliage and sea of clouds appear together—truly a classic scene of Taiwan's mountain cycling.
Zhuolan Fruit Cycling Corridor offers quite a different flavor. This approximately 15-kilometer rural road connects Zhuolan Township and Dahu Township, lined with orchards and farmland. In spring, peach and plum trees bloom; in summer, it's the season for grapes, peaches, and pears. Unlike the grand mountain forest roads, this route presents "exquisite rural aesthetics"—white grape trellises wind along country roads, grandmothers in the orchards warmly invite you to taste seasonal fruits, and occasional local chicken restaurants emit delicious aromas. This route is gentle and easy to ride, with many cyclists特意 planning their visit during strawberry season (December to March), stopping midway to pick strawberries and enjoy strawberry ice cream—a truly sweet experience.
Atayal Village Tour Route is the most uniquely cultural deep-dive route here. Starting from Dagang Village in Heping District, the route follows industrial roads where you can see traditional Atayal slate houses, ancestor pillars, and handcraft workshops in the village. This isn't a mainstream tourist route but preserves the most authentic indigenous culture. Village elders will share stories about the Rainbow Bridge, facial tattoo traditions, and millet culture—some workshops even offer weaving experiences. This route requires time to explore slowly and deeply, not pursue distance. Elderly villagers often say: "Don't ride your bike too fast—only when you slow down can you hear the mountain's voice."
Basianshan Forest Recreation Area is suitable for visitors wanting to combine nature education with cycling. There is an approximately 3-kilometer gentle trail within the area, perfect for riding tandem bikes or cycling leisurely. Basianshan's old name was "Papaga," an important logging area during the Japanese colonial period. Many Japanese-style dormitories and forestry railway remnants are still preserved today, giving visitors a sense of time travel. The area is planted with cherry trees, and between February and March, the entire hillside transforms into a pink sea of flowers—a cherry blossom secret spot cherished by locals.
The most convenient starting point for these mountain cycling routes is Taichung Station or THSR Taichung Station. From Taichung Station, taking bus route 153 or 153 Express will take you directly to Guguan (approximately 1.5 hours), with fares around NT$120-150. For cyclists driving themselves, vehicles can be parked at the public parking lot in Guguan Hot Spring Area (NT$100 per day) before starting the ride. For bike rentals, many hot spring resorts in the Guguan area offer bicycle rental services—standard bicycles cost approximately NT$300-500 per day, e-bikes approximately NT$500-800. If planning to tackle Dasyueshan Forest Road, it's recommended to bring your own mountain bike or rent from a professional bike shop in Taichung.
Regarding accommodation, Guguan Hot Spring Area offers various options from budget hot spring hotels (NT$1,500-2,500) to high-end hot spring resorts (NT$4,000-8,000). Zhuolan and Dahu area mainly feature rural homestays (NT$1,200-2,500). We recommend staying at least one night, as the pace of mountain cycling should be relaxed—a two-day, one-night itinerary is ideal.
Here are some practical tips for planned visits: Mountain weather changes quickly, so even in summer, it's recommended to bring lightweight rain gear and a light jacket; some areas have unstable mobile signal, so download offline maps in advance; Dasyueshan Forest Road has high altitude with large temperature differences between day and night, so be sure to bring warm clothing for winter visits. Most importantly, the charm of these mountain routes lies in "slowness"—don't rush. Stop at an orchard to enjoy some fruit, soak in the hot springs until your skin wrinkles—that's the correct way to experience it.
