- Length
- Not stated
- Route shape
- Loop
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Path with road sections
- Level
- Moderate
- Families
- Not a family ride
- Climbing
- Not measuredNo official figure, so none given
- Start
- Fulong Station (TRA)
About the length The national cycling portal's Northeast Coast multi-route lists a segment "Shicheng, Sandiao Cape, Mao'ao" of 20 km with supply points at Fulong Station, Shicheng service area, Magang outpost, Mao'ao station and Dongxing Temple. Its named endpoints do not exactly match a Fulong to Fulong loop, so it is reported here as a reference only. The tunnel is 2,167 m.
Why these labels
Traffic and path type: Path part: the 2,167 m tunnel, closed to motor vehicles. Road part: after the tunnel the loop returns along the coast on Provincial Highway 2, the coastal highway; the managing authority places Magang outpost, one of the loop's stops, at km 107.7 of Highway 2. The Northeast Coast multi-route mixes bike-only, shared, slow-lane and mixed-traffic segments, and the portal does not say which applies where on this loop. The Tourism Administration warns that some sections are steep.
Families: The coastal half uses Provincial Highway 2, shared with cars, buses and scooters, and the Tourism Administration says some sections are steep. Families with young children should ride the tunnel only.
The managing authority's Old Caoling loop itinerary (舊草嶺環狀線單車之旅) runs in this order: Old Caoling Bike Tunnel, Shicheng service area, Sijiaoku viewing platform, Sandiao Cape lighthouse trail, Magang outpost, Mao'ao Bay and back to the Fulong visitor centre.
The authority describes Sijiaoku as the loop's midway rest stop and a place round-island riders pass, which reflects that this coast is part of Taiwan Cycling Route No. 1.
The first part is the car-free tunnel. The rest follows the coast on Provincial Highway 2, so this is a road ride, not a bike path. The Tourism Administration advises riders to judge their fitness because some sections are steep.
Who it suits
Confident adult riders used to riding with traffic. Not for young children, nervous riders or anyone on a heavy rental bike who has not ridden on a highway before.
The route
A ride plan, in order
- From Fulong Station, ride to the north portal and through the 2,167 m tunnel to Shicheng.
- Stop at the Shicheng service area, about 300 m from Shicheng village.
- Join Provincial Highway 2 along the coast to the Sijiaoku viewing platform, the loop's midway stop.
- Continue past the Sandiao Cape lighthouse trail and Magang outpost (Highway 2 km 107.7).
- Pass Mao'ao Bay and return to Fulong and the visitor centre.
Opening hours and closures
Opening hours and closuresManaging authority (Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration), Chinese page: 1 June to 30 September, 08:30 to 17:30, no entry from 17:00; 1 October to 31 May, 08:30 to 17:00, no entry from 16:30. The tunnel control centre takes a break from 12:30 to 13:30 daily. On weekends and national holidays the tunnel is for bicycles only; on weekdays both cyclists and walkers may use it. Motor vehicles and side-by-side tandem bikes are banned. Free entry. The English page shows confusing month ranges ("Oct.-Aug." and "Jun.-Sep.") and a later 18:00 summer weekend close; the Chinese page is used here.
Getting there without a car
- TRA to Fulong Station; the tunnel bikeway starts beside the station exit (national cycling portal).
- Bus: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Golden Fulong Line 856 or Keelung Bus 791 to Fulong Station (managing authority).
Bringing your own bike: Taiwan Railway: bagged bikes (longest side up to 150 cm, total up to 220 cm) ride any train; unbagged bikes only on trains and at stations with bike quota. The national portal lists Fulong as a bike-and-rail transfer station; check TRA's quota search for your train.
Renting a bike
Not verified. The managing authority suggests renting at Fulong, but no official source lists the shops. Choose a geared bike in good condition if you plan the highway section.
Confirm hours, rates and availability directly with the provider. Cycle.tw does not take bookings.
Toilets, water and food
Supply points named by the national portal: Fulong Station, Shicheng service area, Magang outpost, Mao'ao station and Dongxing Temple, longest gap about 7 km. The managing authority lists parking and public toilets at the tunnel, Shicheng service area, the Sandiao Cape lighthouse trail, Magang outpost and Mao'ao Bay, and a visitor centre with toilets at Fulong.
Safety and conditions
- Provincial Highway 2 is a coastal highway shared with cars, tour buses and scooters. Ride single file, keep right and use lights.
- The Tourism Administration warns that parts of the loop are steep. Walk the bike if needed.
- Check Highway Bureau road conditions (168.thb.gov.tw) before riding, especially after storms.
- The coast is exposed to wind and sun. Avoid the loop in strong wind, heavy rain or typhoon warnings.
- Plan to enter the tunnel before last entry: 16:30 from October to May, 17:00 from June to September.
- Typhoons close the tunnel: after the October 2026 typhoon the Northeast Coast Scenic Area reopened it on 25 October 2026. Check the Scenic Area's news page before you go.
- 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
Dry, calm days. Start early so the tunnel is behind you well before last entry and you avoid the hottest hours on the open coast.
Nearby and related
Emergency: 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance. From a mobile phone, 112 also reaches emergency services.
Sources
- Old Caoling loop itinerary stop order (Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration)
- www.necoast-nsa.gov.tw/Trip-Content.aspx?a=2574&l=2
- Old Caoling Tunnel 2,167 m (Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration)
- English version of tunnel page with confusing 'Oct.-Aug.' / 'Jun.-Sep.' hours and 18:00 summer weekend close (Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration)
- Northeast Coast multi-route: Shicheng, Sandiao Cape, Mao'ao segment 20 km with 5 supply points (MOTC national cycling portal)
- Old Caoling bikeway starts beside Fulong Station exit (MOTC national cycling portal)
- Route lengths and road-type classes for northern bikeways (Guandu 0.74 km, Tamsui River 7.89 km, Keelung... (MOTC national cycling portal)
- Loop has steep sections (Taiwan Tourism Administration)
- TRA bike bag limits 150 cm / 220 cm (Taiwan Railway Corporation)
- Typhoon closures and reopenings, updated 2026-11-02 (Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area)
Checked November 2026 Next review due December 2026.
Printed from https://cycle.tw/routes/old-caoling-coastal-loop/