Roman Highway Bicycle Route Introduction
Are you no longer interested in the flat riverside bike paths? As a skilled cyclist, why not bravely conquer the Roman Highway (County Road 118)? Starting from Luofu in the Taoyuan Fuxing District in the east and ending in Matsu at the west in Guanxi Town, Hsinchu, it is not just a collection of uphill and downhill slopes and hairpin turns, but also a test of your cornering and gear-shifting skills. The entire stretch of 33.83 kilometers is a significant challenge to your endurance! Starting from the Yixing Suspended Bridge as your riding point into Luofu, the initial part is a 300-meter climb, where you will sweat it out on your bike, rewarded by beautiful scenery. Looking out at Luofu and the Fuxing Twin Bridges, the eye-catching bridges add vibrant life to the majestic mountain range. After completing the initial climb, stop at a scenic café for a cup of barbed coffee while enjoying the view of the Dahan River, replenishing your energy. Continue riding down the gentle slope past Jialan and Chaoyang, and see the huge rattan basket indicating that you have arrived at the Xikou Village, where experiencing the mouth harp and hunting culture is a great choice. Continue climbing west through Kuihui, entering Meitui Mountain at an elevation of 404 meters, where you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the must-visit scenic spots, Amuping and Jiamu Island. There are restaurants and vendors nearby where you can dine and replenish supplies. As you head towards the Shimen Reservoir, spring is filled with cherry blossoms, and summer is accompanied by tung flowers, giving this bittersweet journey a leisurely atmosphere. Next, you will pass through the Gaya village composed of Gaoyao Ping, Xia Gaoyao, Zhong Gaoyao, and Shang Gaoyao, experiencing a century-old Atayal culture. After approximately 1.9 kilometers past the hairpin turn near Bashang Café, when you see the Guanxi Town sign, you will have reached the highest point of the Roman Highway at an elevation of 464 meters! Enjoy the sense of achievement at the summit, and then embrace the exhilarating feeling of downhill riding for the next 13 kilometers, with the option to visit Matsu's ancient glutinous rice bridge along the way, tasting the elegance of the Showa period.
