# Sun Moon Lake Bike Path｜Distance & Riding Rules｜24EZGO

> The official round-lake riding distance, the Xiangshan and Yuetan dedicated path sections, elevation along the way, shuttle access and riding rules.

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Guides · Cycling in Taiwan

# Sun Moon Lake Bike Path｜Distance & Riding Rules

Sun Moon Lake's round-lake cycling route is high on many visiting cyclists' Taiwan itinerary, lake views paired with Nantou's mountain terrain make it both scenic and a genuine challenge. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration publishes the riding distance and the length of its completed dedicated bike paths as two separate figures, and there are a few climbs and rules worth knowing before you go. This guide pulls together what the Administration and the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle have published, so you know where the route goes, where the dedicated paths are, how to get there from Taichung, and what riding rules apply.

![A cyclist riding on the right-hand side of the Sun Moon Lake ring road, with a bicycle marking painted on the surface](/images/guides/sun-moon-lake/cyclists-xuanzang.webp)

The ring road near Xuanzang Temple, with bicycle markings on the surface[JianEn Yu](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyclists%5Fon%5Fthe%5Froad%5Fat%5FSun%5FMoon%5FLake%5Fnear%5FXuanzang%5FTemple.jpg) · [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) · cropped, via Wikimedia Commons

## The Official Name and Route Distances of the Sun Moon Lake Cycling Route

The Sun Moon Lake Cycling Route is planned and managed by the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration under Taiwan's Tourism Administration; the Administration's own website also refers to the full loop as the 'round-lake route.' The officially published riding distance around the lake is about 30 km, linking Shueishe, Xiangshan, Wenwu Temple, Xuanguang Temple, and Toushe along the way, with lake and mountain scenery throughout.

Two sections have been completed as dedicated bike paths. The 'Xiangshan section,' running from Shueishe to the Xiangshan Visitor Center, about 3.4 km long, including roughly 0.4 km built right at the water's edge and known locally as the 'floating bike path'; and the 'Yuetan section,' starting at the Xiangshan Administration Center and running along the south shore of Yuetan past Yueya Bay and the Toushe Dam to the mouth of Huantan Tunnel No. 1, also about 3.4 km, rated ★★★ in difficulty by the Administration with a riding time of roughly 40 minutes. Adding the two sections together, the Administration's own site has published both 'about 6.4 km' and the arithmetic sum of 3.4 + 3.4 = 6.8 km. Worth planning around a range of roughly 6.4 to 6.8 km rather than a single figure. That's the length of the completed dedicated paths, a different number from the roughly 30 km riding distance around the whole lake mentioned above. The dedicated paths are just the two most scenic short stretches of the full route; the rest still means sharing the road with regular traffic.

## Where the Dedicated Paths and Shared Roads Are

The Sun Moon Lake Administration's own 'round-lake route' page states plainly: 'because some sections of the bike path haven't been connected yet, we recommend riding along the round-lake highway, and please pay attention to traffic safety.' In other words, the loop isn't a continuous dedicated bike path today. The Xiangshan and Yuetan sections covered above are the completed dedicated stretches, and the rest of the loop means riding alongside regular vehicle traffic on the round-lake highway.

Going by the riding conditions the Administration describes clockwise around the lake. The Shueishe stretch is flat and easy; the section from Jiulongkou toward Wenwu Temple runs noticeably steeper; after the big bend by the Xuanguang Temple parking lot, the road descends all the way to Toushe, a stretch the Administration specifically flags for riding safety; and the climb back from Toushe to the Xiangshan Visitor Center is described by the Administration as 'very steep, a high-intensity section', the toughest stretch on the whole loop. There are also bike service stations at both the Xiangshan Visitor Center and the Shueishe commercial plaza, and the Xiangshan section has two dedicated bike-and-pedestrian bridges, Yongjie and Tongxin, to keep riders separated from foot traffic.

## Distance, Climbs, and Bike Rental

When it comes to timing, the officially published riding distance around the lake is about 30 km, but the Administration's own 'round-lake route' page doesn't publish a recommended completion time. Combined with the significant elevation swings described above. Flat at Shueishe, steep and high-intensity climbing back from Toushe to Xiangshan. How long the ride actually takes varies a lot with fitness level and how many stops you make; it's worth saving the toughest stretch, Toushe back to Xiangshan, for whenever you're feeling freshest.

If you want to rent a bike locally, the Administration's own directory of partner shops lists Sun Moon Lake Center Bike Station, at No. 101, Zhongzheng Road, Rihyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County (across from the ropeway station entrance). It rents Giant bikes and offers free parking, WiFi, helmets, locks, route planning, and roadside assistance. The Administration's site lists it as open year-round, 08:00–17:00, but the same page also shows a 'currently closed' notice, it's worth calling ahead (+886-912-725532) to confirm it's actually open before you go.

## Getting There From Taichung

The Administration's own 'How to Get to Sun Moon Lake' page lays out the official route. Take the train or High Speed Rail to Taichung, then transfer. By conventional rail, the guidance is 'after arriving at Taichung Station, transfer to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle to Sun Moon Lake'; by High Speed Rail, it's 'after arriving at Taichung HSR Station, go to Platform 3 via Exit 5 on the 1st floor, and transfer to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle to Sun Moon Lake.' The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line, operated by Nantou Bus under contract to the Tourism Administration, currently runs four sub-routes, A, B, D, and F. Per the fares published on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle's official booking site, Taichung Gancheng Station to Sun Moon Lake is NT$193 one-way / NT$360 round-trip, and Taichung HSR Station to Sun Moon Lake is NT$166 one-way / NT$330 round-trip.

For riders coming via the Jiji Branch Line, the Administration's site offers an alternative: 'get off at Shuili Station or Checheng, then transfer to Nantou Bus to Sun Moon Lake.' There's also a Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Checheng Line connecting the Jiji Branch Line's Checheng Station to Sun Moon Lake, passing Yueya Bay, the Shueishe Dam, and the Xiangshan Administration Center. A good fit if you want to combine rail travel with cycling.

## The Official Riding Guidelines

The Administration's official 'Supplementary Notes on Riding the Bike Path' guidelines (last updated December 22, 2025) set out a right-of-way order for the bike path. Mobility aids for people with disabilities (manual wheelchairs, power-assisted wheelchairs, hand-cranked cycles, and power-assisted hand-cranked cycles) come first, then pedestrians, then slow vehicles (bicycles, e-assist bikes, and micro-mobility two-wheelers), with vehicles on official duty or emergency medical response coming last. On speed, every vehicle except those on official duty or emergency response must keep to 25 km/h or under.

The same notice flags two sections where riding is prohibited and bikes must be walked instead. The timber-decked section atop the Shueishe Dam, and the narrow ridge section of the Yuetan bike path. Before setting off, check your brakes, tires, and lights; keep both hands on the handlebars at all times while riding; and wear a helmet along with knee and elbow pads or other protective gear. Carrying a passenger on a slow vehicle is strictly prohibited, groups should keep at least two bike-lengths of following distance, and night riding on the bike path is discouraged. Factoring these rules in alongside the climbing sections above makes for a more realistic itinerary.

## Where a Support Vehicle Fits Into a Sun Moon Lake Trip

Sun Moon Lake's round-lake route isn't especially long, but the elevation changes are real. The climb back from Toushe to Xiangshan is officially described as 'very steep, a high-intensity section', and part of the loop still means sharing the road with regular traffic on the round-lake highway. Carrying luggage, spare parts, and personal gear on the bike for that climb takes a real toll on your legs. If your group has a range of fitness levels, wants to skip a stretch of shared road, or would simply rather ride light, a support vehicle can carry luggage and non-essential gear ahead to the next rest stop or meeting point, and shuttle riders and bikes past the steep sections when needed.

24EZGO has supported cycling events and race logistics since 2020\. Seven years of hands-on experience, typically 10 to 20 events a year, more than 3,000 riders served, a fleet of four support vehicles, and capacity for up to 8 riders and 8 bikes in a single dispatch. Whether you're planning a half-day loop around the lake or working Sun Moon Lake into a longer round-island or multi-day trip, tell us your planned route, group size, and number of bikes, and we'll put together a support plan to match.

![Shuishe Pier seen from the lake, with the hills behind](/images/guides/sun-moon-lake/shuishe-pier.webp)

The lakefront around Shuishe Pier[LowensteinYang](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%88%E6%BD%AD%E6%B0%B4%E7%A4%BE%E7%A2%BC%E9%A0%AD%5FView%5Fof%5FShuishe%5FPier%5Ffrom%5FSun%5FMoon%5FLake%5F20151213.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · cropped, via Wikimedia Commons

![The lake and wooded far shore, with the grassy bank and a lifebuoy post beside the bike path in the foreground](/images/guides/sun-moon-lake/lakeside-bike-path.webp)

The lake seen from beside the lakeside bike path[Fcuk1203](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%88%E6%BD%AD%E7%92%B0%E6%BD%AD%E8%87%AA%E8%A1%8C%E8%BB%8A%E9%81%93.JPG) · [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) · cropped, via Wikimedia Commons

## Sources

* [交通部觀光署日月潭國家風景區管理處, 環潭路線](https://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/attractions/Attractions?A=20&Id=134)
* [交通部觀光署日月潭國家風景區管理處, 向山段自行車道](https://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/attractions/Attractions?A=20&Id=18)
* [交通部觀光署日月潭國家風景區管理處, 月潭段自行車道](https://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/zh-tw/attractions/detail/54)
* [交通部觀光署日月潭國家風景區管理處, 日月潭中心單車驛站](https://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/Shop/Stores?a=45&id=23)
* [交通部觀光署日月潭國家風景區管理處, 如何到日月潭](https://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/Explore/Articles?a=53)
* [台灣好行旅遊服務網, 日月潭線時刻表與票價](https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Frontend/Bustime/TimeTable/R0005)
* [交通部觀光署, 增列自行車步道騎乘注意事項](https://admin.taiwan.net.tw/sunmoonlake/themesSunmoonlake/Articles?a=4757)

Rules and road conditions change — always check the official announcements before you travel.

## Related guides

* [Riding Between Company Branches, and How the Support Vehicle Is Arranged](/en/guides/corporate-branch-ride/)
* [Five Days Cycling from Taichung｜Sun Moon Lake, Shuili & Sanyi](/en/guides/hong-kong-taichung-cycling/)
* [Taiwan Cycling Route No.1｜Distance & Closed Roads](/en/guides/island-loop-route/)

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