North Cross-Island Highway Bicycle Route Starting Point Introduction
Do you feel like life is monotonous? Why not plan an adventure to stimulate your unfeeling life with new challenges! The goal of the journey is "Mastering the North Cross-Island Highway: I’m not afraid of a thousand feet altitude." This time, we won't take a car; instead, we will challenge ourselves with a high-difficulty cycling adventure. The 80 kilometers of uphill road is nothing to fear, from Daxi all the way to Jiao Ban Mountain, Dongyan Mountain, and Bali, heading straight to Zhuangwei in Yilan. Along the way, you will be surrounded by beautiful mountains, waters, and landscapes, as you explore the vast world and rekindle your passion and original intentions! Starting from the starting point of the North Cross-Island Highway on Cikang Road in Daxi District, we will proceed past Daxi Mausoleum and Cihu Mausoleum. The Two Jiang Park, which has not yet become crowded in the early morning, appears particularly serene. Continuing to climb the hill through the New Baiji Tunnel, you'll see the leisurely figures of tourists at scenic restaurants and farms contrasting with your fast-paced cycling. Before entering Sanmin Village in the Fengxing District, most of the route is straight, which is a good opportunity to save time and sprint. As you savor the magnificent mountains and distinctive tribal-themed installations, you'll pass by the foot of Yuanshan, New Village, and the Jiao Ban Mountain image business district, where you can dine and replenish your water. This point before Bali is the only resupply stop. After passing Jiao Ban Mountain and entering Luo Fu Li, you will reach one of the three famous bridges on the North Cross-Island Highway, Luo Fu Bridge! Looking out at the breathtaking and vast Dahan River valley, you can't help but feel revitalized. Continue uphill through the Ronghua Tunnel and the Xuewu Tunnel. After passing the Ronghua Dam, which once supplied irrigation water for agriculture, you will arrive at the Biyawai Tribe, famous for conserving the Mikado Pheasant and the Swinhoe's Pheasant, where the Atayal people harmoniously coexist with nature, creating a living space that also gives travelers a sense of belonging. Take a short break at Su Le to regain strength for the ride to Bali; from Bali Bridge, a series of steep climbs challenge your endurance and willpower. By now, you will have accumulated a cycling distance of 50 kilometers, so don't easily give up! After passing through Guanghua and conquering a series of hairpin turns, you will reach the highest point of the North Cross-Island Highway – Siling, where you’ll feel the excitement of seeing the altitude marker at 1,170 meters. It’s definitely an unforgettable moment! Riding downhill toward Xicun, at the border of Taoyuan and Yilan, this cross-border journey is nearing its end. In Yilan, most of the cycling route is downhill. After passing through the Mingchi National Forest Recreation Area, you will face the last major challenge – the Qilan hairpin turns, after which you will easily conquer Yuanshan and Yilan City, reaching the easternmost end of the North Cross-Island Highway – Zhuangwei Pavilion, where the journey perfectly concludes.
