Maats Travels: Taiwan 2027

The Route — Taiwan 2027

1,000 KMTotal riding distance

20,000 MTotal elevation gain

4-14 MARCH10 riding stages + 1 rest day

Map of Taiwan with the cycling route running down the island

The Grand Schedule — Overall Flow

17 Days Away, 11 Days On The Road

March 1 - 3Arrival

Basecamp preps, bike building, and warm-up coffee rides in Taipei.

March 4 - 8The High Peaks

Mountainous jungle roads all the way. Wuling Peak (3,275m) highlight climb.

March 9Rest Day

Recharge at Sun Moon Lake, relaxing boardwalk strolls & local food.

March 10 - 14The Descent

Tataka Climb, tea plantations, Coffee Highway, Kaohsiung & Kenting beach.

March 15 - 17Finish

Return by bullet train to Taipei. Cooldown rides & city exploration.

A crowded Taiwanese night market street at night

All you can eat at night markets

Green tea terraces rolling down to a mountain backdrop

Tea fields to mountain backdrops

Itinerary — Days 1, 2 & 3

Day 1

Taipei to Fuxing

Launch from Taipei 101. Escape the city sprawl via car-free river paths directly into remote subtropical jungle backroads.

56 KM | 1,100 M UP | 700 M DOWN

Day 2

Fuxing to Nanzhuang

Climb the wild Yulao Pass to test the mountain legs, lunch in a cozy Hakka village and finishing in lush Nanzhuang.

112 KM | 2,800 M UP | 3,000 M DOWN

Day 3

Nanzhuang to Taichung City

Smash some isolated jungle mountain sectors, finishing early in buzzing Taichung, with a well-deserved craft beer at a rooftop bar.

86 KM | 1,500 M UP | 1,600 M DOWN

Cyclist in traffic on a busy Taiwanese city street

Itinerary — Days 4, 5 & 6

Day 4

Taichung to Puli

A strategic shorter transition stage. Climb the Chikan road framed by towering binlang palm forests to reach the high-peak gateway of Puli.

66 KM | 1,300 M UP | 1,000 M DOWN

Day 5

Puli to Sun Moon Lake (Queen Stage)

The ultimate epic: climb 55km up to the legendary Wuling Peak (3,275m) in one push. Descend past indigenous villages and roll into Sun Moon Lake.

150 KM | 4,000 M UP | 3,800 M DOWN

Day 6

Rest Day @ Sun Moon Lake

A full recovery day at Taiwan’s most iconic lake. Stretch the legs, enjoy local aboriginal delicacies. Go see iconic temples and pagodas, by foot or an optional scenic coffee ride.

OPTIONAL: 28 KM | 600 M UP | 600 M DOWN

Palm tree above the blue water of Sun Moon Lake

Itinerary — Days 7 & 8

Day 7

Sun Moon Lake to Alishan

Conquer the legendary Tataka climb, topping out at 2,600m altitude before descending directly into lush Alishan tea country with Taiwan’s most stunning views.

133 KM | 2,900 M UP | 2,300 M DOWN

Day 8

Alishan to Chiayi City

Hidden bamboo forests, a short steep hairpin wall, and flying down the spectacular numbered Meishan 36 Bends to roll straight onto the Chiayi Night Market.

75 KM | 1,200 M UP | 2,500 M DOWN

Empty mountain road with yellow centre lines climbing towards the peaks

Itinerary — Days 9, 10 & 11

Day 9

Chiayi to Meinong

Ride the scenic Coffee Highway, stop at a mountaintop temple and coffee with a view, and dive into silent backroads all the way to Meinong.

137 KM | 3,000 M UP | 3,000 M DOWN

Day 10

Meinong to Kaohsiung City

Completely flat recovery spin out of the mountains, rolling past Fo Guang Shan’s giant Buddha and the Lotus Pond Pagodas, finishing in Taiwan’s second largest city.

56 KM | 100 M UP | 100 M DOWN

Day 11

Kaohsiung to Kenting

Slamming down the Hengchun Peninsula, all the way to the southernmost tip. Celebration night with a drink by the beach of Kenting!

122 KM | 400 M UP | 400 M DOWN

Road bike leaning on a guardrail above a turquoise reservoir

Taipei Basecamp — Waterfront Boutique Hotel

Basecamp

Stay 2 nights before departure (March 2-4) and 2 nights after completion (March 15-17) at the superb Waterfront Hotel in central Songshan, Taipei.

Secure Storage

We secured locked basement storage at the Taipei hotel. Leave empty bike boxes and heavy luggage behind during our ride south.

Flexible Arrival

Book flights matching your schedule: take days before and after the ride in Taipei for preps, sightseeing and, what else, riding.

Connect Locally

Upon return to Taipei, we're hosting a social ride collaborating with the local PNS/MAAP crews.

Taipei 101 and the city skyline seen from a green hillside

Road bike parked in front of a large ornate Taiwanese temple

Culture hand in hand with nature

Close-up of a Taiwanese street food dish topped with crispy shallots and herbs

Amazing food

Travel Concept — Support vs. Bikepacking

Scenario A: Dedicated Support Car

We are currently negotiating a support car for bags, mechanical help, and nutrition during our 11 days on the road.

Support cars are highly sought after and scarce in the high peaks. If successfully reserved, we travel with complete hands-free luxury.

Estimated Total Fee (incl. support): ~ €1,600

Scenario B: Bikepacking Style

If we choose to roll without support care, we embrace true adventure: running with frame/handlebar packs on our road bikes.

The climate is beautiful (20-25°C) and we stay in comfortable hotels, meaning no extensive gear is needed. Extra bags remain stored in Taipei.

Estimated Total Fee (bikepacking): ~ €1,300

Cost Breakdown — Estimation

Cost Item	Amount (Est.)	Included Details
Maats Fee	€1,500	15 hotel nights (shared twin rooms), return coach & HSL bullet train tickets, logistics & guide coverage.
Joint Fund	+/- €500	Shared payments for enroute breakfast, lunch & dinner, and other shared costs.
Flight Ticket	~ €1,000	Self-booked. Tip: Cathay and China Airlines allow bike boxes for free within allowance.
Pocket Money	Flexible	For specialty coffee stops, local beers, and optional rest-day activities.

Red and yellow paper lanterns glowing at a Taiwanese temple

Betelnut-stricken landscapes

Interior of a minimalist cycling apparel shop in Taipei

Connecting to the local cycling scene