- Length
- 5.8 kmSource and notes below
- Route shape
- One way
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Path with road sections
- Level
- Easy
- Riding time
- About 25 min at an easy 14 km/h, not counting stops Estimate ride time
- Families
- Families: with care
- Climbing
- Not measuredNo official figure, so none given
- Start
- Houli Station (TRA)
The map loads here.
Line: national cycling portal (MOTC), with its road types. Base map: National Land Surveying and Mapping Center.
Rest stops and stations along the official line
Rest stops
- 后里車站(兩鐵轉運站) (toilets, drinking water)
Train stations that take bikes
- 后里 · bike train times
Listed by the national cycling portal (MOTC). Services and hours can change: treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
About the lengthOfficial bikeway length on Taichung Tourism's Houfeng cycling page (English and Chinese), matching the 0 to 5.8K extent in the Taichung Transportation Bureau's January 2025 notice. Taichung Tourism gives two figures. The cycling page and the Houfeng attraction page say 5.8 km; the attraction page describes it as running from under the National Freeway No. 4 viaduct in Fengyuan, over the Dajia River steel bridge and through Tunnel No. 9, to Houli Horse Ranch (后里馬場). The 'Best Cycling Trip for Backpackers' itinerary and the city's printed cycling map say about 4.5 km for the stretch from the bikeway start to Houli Horse Ranch. The cycling page's named finish also differs by language: the English page says Houli Railway Station, the Chinese page says the junction of the bikeway extension and Neidong Road (內東路口). This guide uses 5.8 km for the bikeway itself; the extra distance between the bikeway and Houli Station is not officially stated.
Why these labels
Traffic and path type: A bikeway built on the retired railway line and used by both cyclists and walkers. The official pages describe it as a bike path and do not mention motor traffic on it. It crosses the 382 m Dajia River steel truss bridge and runs through the 1.2 km Tunnel No. 9. A January 2026 United Daily News report described heavy mixing of people and bikes, frequent minor collisions, fast power-assisted bikes, and a November 2025 incident in which an ambulance could not reach an injured child quickly. Getting from Houli Station to the bikeway and from the Fengyuan end to town uses ordinary streets; the official pages do not describe those links. The national cycling portal's road-type data marks about 0.9 km of its Houfeng line as mixed traffic (streets shared with vehicles), with the rest a bike-only path.
Families: Taichung Tourism lists it as suitable for families and seniors, and the bikeway itself is a paved path on the old rail line rather than a road. It is short and gently graded. Weekend and holiday crowds, fast e-bikes and the long tunnel are the reasons for care: ride slowly, keep children close, and go on a weekday morning if you can.
Houfeng Bikeway follows a retired section of the old Taiwan Railway Mountain Line between Houli and Fengyuan districts in Taichung. Taichung Tourism gives its length as 5.8 km and its altitude range as 235 to 358 m.
The two landmarks are the Dajia River steel bridge, a 382 m truss bridge completed in 1908, and Tunnel No. 9, which at 1.2 km is the longest tunnel on the retired line. Taichung Tourism describes the tunnel as bright and cool inside. It opens only during set hours, so the through route is not available at night.
At the Fengyuan end the bikeway starts under the National Freeway No. 4 viaduct, and Taichung Tourism says it connects there with the Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way. Many rental shops sit around this end on Guofeng Road Section 3 and Puzi Street, and a smaller group is listed in Houli District.
Who it suits
Suits first-time visitors, families with older children, and anyone who wants a short ride away from roads that is easy to reach by train. Skip it at peak holiday times if you dislike crowds, or if you want a quiet or fast training ride.
The route
A ride plan, in order
- Start at TRA Houli Station and pick up a rental in Houli or a YouBike.
- Join the bikeway toward Houli Horse Ranch, the Houli end of the route on Taichung Tourism's attraction page.
- Ride through Tunnel No. 9 (1.2 km) during opening hours.
- Cross the Dajia River on the 382 m steel truss bridge.
- Reach the Fengyuan end under the National Freeway No. 4 viaduct, where the Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way connects. Return the bike and continue to Fengyuan Station, or ride back the same way.
Opening hours and closures
Opening hours and closuresTunnel No. 9: summer 06:00 to 19:00, winter 06:00 to 18:00, per Taichung Tourism's Houfeng attraction page and its cycling itinerary. The official pages do not state which months count as summer or winter. No current closure notice was found on 2026-11-04; check before riding, especially after typhoons.
Getting there without a car
- By train: take TRA to Houli Station. Taichung Tourism's July 2026 'trip on bus and bike' itinerary rides from Houli Station along Houfeng Bikeway to Fengyuan in about an hour by YouBike, then walks to Miaodong Night Market near Fengyuan Station.
- Returning: Fengyuan Station (TRA) is the natural end point for a one-way ride. The street route from the Fengyuan end of the bikeway to the station is not described on the official pages; follow local signs or a map.
- YouBike: the same official itinerary is written as a YouBike ride, so YouBike is a practical option if you do not want to rent from a shop. Check YouBike station locations and return rules in the YouBike app before you go.
Bringing your own bike: Taiwan Railway (TRA) lists Houli, Fengyuan and Tanzi among the stations open to unbagged bicycles travelling with the rider (人車同行), but only on designated trains with a limited bike quota per train, so check the quota and train on the TRA site before you go. A bike fully packed in a proper bike bag (no more than 150 cm long and 220 cm in total length, width and height) can go on any train as hand luggage; plastic or cloth bags are refused.
Renting a bike
Verified from Taichung Tourism's Houfeng page: five rental businesses in Houli District (on Jiahou Road Section 1 and Sishan Road) and about 14 around the Fengyuan end (Guofeng Road Section 3 and Puzi Street). The page lists names, phone numbers and addresses only, not hours, prices or bike types. Official pages also note rentals at both ends of the bikeway.
- Songmeng Bike Rental (Houli) 松錳租車(后里店)
Rental · Taichung: Houli District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市后里區甲后路一段1號 · 0937-926058 - Qidian Bike Rental 奇典租車行
Rental · Repair · Taichung: Houli District
Listed both as a rental business and as a repair stop and visitor help point (借問站) on Taichung Tourism's Houfeng page. No hours or prices given.
臺中市后里區甲后路一段21號 · 0930-681103 - Youqibing Bike Rental 遊騎兵租車
Rental · Taichung: Houli District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市后里區甲后路一段13號 · 0987-665756
Show all 20 listed providers
- Tiemage Bike Rental 鐵馬哥租車
Rental · Taichung: Houli District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市后里區寺山路91號 · 0910-585579 - Suidaokou Bike Rental 隧道口租車
Rental · Taichung: Houli District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市后里區寺山路39號 · 0933-191246 - Giant Houli (Mingjiang) 后里捷安特 名匠
Repair · Taichung: Houli District
Listed as a bicycle repair stop (自行車維修站) on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. Not listed as a rental shop.
臺中市后里區甲后路一段445號 · 0425561195 - Songmeng Bike Rental (Fengyuan) 松錳租車(豐原店)
Rental · Repair · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a rental business on both the Houfeng and Dongfeng pages, and as a repair stop (松錳租車連鎖店-豐原店). No hours or prices given.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段141號 · 04-25234783 - Dushi Bike Rental (Fengyuan) 都會租車(豐原店)
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區朴子街355巷29號對面 · 04-25220058 - Huludun Bike Rental 葫蘆墩租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段99號 · 0935-312281 - Damujiang Bike Rental 大木匠租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段145巷41弄36號 · 04-25297706 - Liangma Bike Rental Center 良馬租車中心
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段123號 · 04-25152338, 0958-637608, 0937-785836 - Dalishi Bike Rental 大力士租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段111號 · 04-25152337 - Houfengzan Bike Rental 后豐讚租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段163號 · 0937-460918 - Dongfeng Bike Rental 東豐租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段493號 · 0966-187886 - Weixin Bike Rental 為新租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區國豐路三段453號 · 0987-235757 - Xinxing Bike Rental 心星租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
The Houfeng page lists it as 心星租車 and the Dongfeng page as 心星二店租車, with the same phone and address. No hours or prices given.
臺中市豐原區國豐路357號旁 · 0931-639558 - Lavender Bike Rental (main store) 薰衣草租車總店
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區朴子街196號對面 · 04-25132218, 0923-126918 - Zhuqingting Leisure Garden 竹蜻蜓健康休閒庭園
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區朴子街151號對面 · 0933-121667 - Mujiang Siblings Dongfeng 木匠兄妹東豐館
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區朴子街301巷20號 · 0933-463467, 0910-524688 - Sunflower Bike Rental 向日葵租車
Rental · Taichung: Fengyuan District
Listed as a bicycle rental business on Taichung Tourism's bikeway page. The page gives no hours, prices or bike types; call ahead.
臺中市豐原區朴子街232號 · 04-25228846, 0935-677736
Confirm hours, rates and availability directly with the provider. Cycle.tw does not take bookings.
Toilets, water and food
Taichung Tourism lists a cyclist station, parking, toilets and bike rental for the route, without giving locations. Repair stops listed: Giant Houli (Mingjiang) and Qidian in Houli, and Songmeng in Fengyuan. The page recommends bringing your own water bottle, sun protection in summer and a windproof jacket in winter. Water refill points along the path are not listed.
Safety and conditions
- Ride slowly near the tunnel portals and on the bridge, where people stop for photos. A January 2026 news report described frequent minor crashes and fast e-bikes on this path.
- Taichung Tourism's pages for Houfeng, Dongfeng and Tanya Shen state three rules: micro electric two-wheelers (微型電動二輪車) may not use the bikeway; bicycles with three or more wheels are not allowed on national holidays and regular days off (children's bikes with training wheels excepted); and if you rent a power-assisted bike, choose one with a certification label. The Taichung Transportation Bureau's notice banning micro electric two-wheelers on Houfeng (0 to 5.8K) took effect on 1 March 2025.
- Plan to be through Tunnel No. 9 well before closing time (18:00 in winter, 19:00 in summer).
- Wear a helmet and carry water; summer heat on the open bridge and approach sections is the main comfort risk.
- Check the Central Weather Administration forecast before you go. Heavy rain, typhoons and earthquakes close paths, river parks and roads, sometimes for weeks.
- Wear a properly fitted bike helmet, whatever the law says for your bike.
When to go
Weekday mornings for fewer people. Avoid long holiday weekends if you want a calm ride.
Nearby and related
Emergency: 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance. From a mobile phone, 112 also reaches emergency services.
Sources
- Houfeng Bikeway is 5.8 km, altitude 235 to 358 m (Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
- Houfeng Chinese page: 5.8 km, finish at bikeway extension and Neidong Road (Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
- Houfeng starts under National Freeway No (Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
- Itinerary: Houfeng 4.5 km from start to Houli Equestrian (Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
- Bus-and-bike itinerary (posted 2026-07-08): YouBike from Houli Station along Houfeng to Fengyuan in about... (Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
- Taichung Transportation Bureau notice: micro electric two-wheelers banned on Dongfeng (0-11.7K) and... (Taichung City Government Transportation Bureau)
- City printed cycling map lists Dongfeng about 12.4 km, Houfeng about 4.5 km, Tanya Shen about 14 km (Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
- TRA bike options: bagged bike max 150 cm length and 220 cm total on any train (Taiwan Railway Corporation)
- TRA stations open to unbagged bicycles include Houli, Fengyuan, Tanzi, Taichung (Taiwan Railway Corporation)
- Houfeng safety concerns: crowding, frequent minor collisions, fast e-bikes, November 2025 child injury... (United Daily News)
- Houfeng bikeway line and road types (National cycling portal (MOTC))
Checked November 2026 Next review due December 2026.
Printed from https://cycle.tw/routes/houfeng-bikeway/