Roman Road Cycling Route Introduction
Are you no longer interested in smooth riverside cycling paths? As an experienced cyclist, why not boldly conquer the Roman Road (County Route 118) ? Starting from Luofu in Taoyuan's Fuxing District to Mawu Temple in Hsinchu's Guanxi Township, this route is not only a mix of ascents, descents, and hairpin turns, testing your cornering and shifting skills over a total distance of 33.83 kilometers, but it is also a significant challenge to your endurance! Starting your ride at the Yihsing Suspension Bridge, the journey begins with a 300-meter climb, where you will sweat it out on your bike, with beautiful scenery rewarding your efforts; overlooking Luofu and Fuxing’s twin bridges, the striking bridges add life to the majestic mountains. After completing the first climb, grab a cup of maca coffee at a scenic café while enjoying the views of the Dahan River, replenishing your energy. Then, glide down a gentle slope through Jialan and Chaoyang, where the huge vine basket marks your arrival at the Xikou tribal area. Here, experiencing the mouth harp and hunting culture is a great option. Continuing the climb westward past Kuihui, you will enter Meitu Mountain at an altitude of 404 meters, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the must-visit spots Amuping and Ginger Island. Several restaurants and vendors are gathered nearby, allowing you to dine and restock supplies. As you head towards Shimen Reservoir, the spring is filled with cherry blossoms, and in summer, the tung blossoms accompany you, creating a leisurely atmosphere for this bittersweet journey. Next, you will pass through the Gaya Village, composed of Gaoyiao Ping, Lower Gaoyiao, Middle Gaoyiao, and Upper Gaoyiao settlements, experiencing a century of Atayal culture. About 1.9 kilometers past the hairpin turn near Bashang Café, when you see the Guanxi Township sign, you have reached the highest point of the Roman Road at an altitude of 464 meters! After enjoying the achievement of climbing to the peak, the next 13 kilometers downhill path allows you to simply embrace the thrill of the wind, with the ancient glutinous rice bridge in Mawu Temple along the way, savoring the past grandeur of the Showa period.
