Sun Moon Lake Circuit (Huanhu Bikeway)

Length

30 kmSource and notes below

Route shape

Loop

Surface

Paved

Traffic

Path with road sections

Level

Challenging

Families

Not a family ride

Climbing

Not measuredNo official figure, so none given

Start

Xiangshan Visitor Center, Sun Moon Lake

The map loads here. Official map

Rest stops and stations along the official line

Rest stops

• 頭社派出所 (toilets, drinking water, map board, first-aid kit, repairs)
• 玄光碼頭 (toilets)
• 水社商場 (toilets, drinking water, food and drink)
• 向山遊客服務中心 (toilets, accessible toilet, drinking water, food and drink, map board, first-aid kit, repairs)
• 伊達邵碼頭 (toilets, drinking water)
• 日月潭文武廟 (toilets)

Listed by the national cycling portal (MOTC). Services and hours can change: treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.

About the lengthCircuit length on the Sun Moon Lake NSA cycling site (Huanhu Bikeway page), starting and finishing at Xiangshan Visitor Center. Only one official figure was found: 30 km and about 3.5 hours. Blogs and user GPS tracks give other figures depending on the exact line and detours; they are not used.

Riding all the way around Sun Moon Lake is a classic, but it is a road ride, not a lakeside path. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area gives the circuit as 30 km, about 3.5 hours, starting and finishing at Xiangshan Visitor Center, and recommends riding clockwise: Xiangshan, Shuishe, Wenwu Temple, the Ropeway station, Ita Thao, then back to Xiangshan.

The NSA describes the route as bike paths alongside the highway with large changes in terrain, rated 3 of 3. Separate path pieces such as the Xiangshan section and the 600 m Ita Thao (Takrahaz) waterfront bikeway, opened in September 2023, are linked by Provincial Highway 21 and 21A.

The NSA names four steep descent or climb sections on the ring road and two walk-only path pieces. Its annual Come!BikeDay cycling event is held around October and November.

From 15 May 2025 to 31 January 2027 the NSA has posted a notice for bike path connection works on the east side of Dazhuhu (大竹湖): the Dazhuhu car park and trail entrance are temporarily closed, and riders on the Songbolun bike path are asked to detour early.

Who it suits

Suits experienced riders with good brakes and climbing fitness who are comfortable sharing a mountain highway with tour buses. Beginners, children and anyone unsure on descents should skip it and ride the Xiangshan section.

The route

A ride plan, in order

1. Start at Xiangshan Visitor Center and ride the Xiangshan section north to Shuishe (walk across Shuishe Dam).
2. From Shuishe, climb toward Wenwu Temple; the NSA flags Hwy 21A 0 to 1.5k (Jiulongkou to Wenwu Temple) as steep.
3. Continue past the Songbolun area (note the Dazhuhu detour notice) to the Ropeway station and Ita Thao, where the Ita Thao waterfront bikeway runs along the shore.
4. From Ita Thao, ride the road section toward Xuanguang Temple Pier (Hwy 21A 7.5k to 13.5k, steep) and on around the south side via Huanhu No. 1 Tunnel and Toushe (Hwy 21A 17.5k to 19.5k, steep).
5. Return to Xiangshan Visitor Center on Hwy 21 (66k to 69k, Toushe to Xiangshan, steep).

Opening hours and closures

Opening hours and closuresThe circuit uses public highways. The Dazhuhu car park and trail entrance are closed until 31 January 2027 for bike path works, per an NSA notice; riders on the Songbolun bike path are asked to detour. Check NSA construction notices before riding.

Getting there without a car

• From HSR Taichung Station: take the escalator to the 1st floor bus terminal at Exit 5 and board the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line (台灣好行日月潭線) at platform 3, per the Sun Moon Lake NSA cycling site. The NSA page gives about 90 minutes for the bus leg in its airport example.
• From TRA Taichung Station: the NSA page says you can take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line from Taichung. Check the current timetable on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle site before travelling.
• Stops: the Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe) stop is by the Shuishe shopping complex, where the Giant rental shop is; a Xiangshan Administration Center (向山行政中心) stop is listed beside Xiangshan Visitor Center.
• Rail alternative: the NSA page says the Jiji branch line reopened from Zhuoshui to Jiji on 5 January 2026, with Jiji to Checheng still replaced by road buses at the time it was written; from Shuili or Checheng, Nantou Bus runs to Sun Moon Lake. Check TRA for the current status.

Bringing your own bike: The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line carries folding bikes only if they are in a bike bag: free in the luggage hold, or half fare if taken onto a seat. Its page says nothing about full-size bikes, so don't count on bringing one.

• Bike rules on each train and metro

Renting a bike

For a lap of the lake, Giant Sun Moon Lake (捷安特日月潭站) is the easy place to start: it is in the Shuishe shopping complex by the Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe) bus stop, and the Scenic Area listing gives 07:00 opening and mentions a lake-circuit certificate for riders who complete the loop. Ask which road or electric-assist bikes they have that day, and for a helmet: we couldn't confirm the fleet from an official page. Verified from the Sun Moon Lake NSA shop directory (Bicycle Rental category): Giant Sun Moon Lake Bike Rental Shop and Merida Bike Lover Zhongxing Store at Shuishe, Xiangshang Bike Rental (Merida) by Xiangshan Visitor Center, plus several smaller rentals at Shuishe and Ita Thao listed on the Chinese directory. Sun Moon Lake Center Bike Inn is listed as currently closed. Hours differ between the Chinese and English listings; phone ahead. The Giant shop's NSA listing mentions a lake-circuit certificate for people who rent there and complete the loop. If you rent for the circuit, ask for a bike with gearing suitable for the climbs.

• Giant Sun Moon Lake Bike Rental Shop 捷安特日月潭站
  Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
  On the ground floor of the Shuishe shopping complex, by the Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe) bus stop, per the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area listing. The Chinese listing says 07:00 to 18:00, closed every Thursday; the English listing says May to October 06:00 to 19:00 and November to April 07:00 to 18:00, closed Thursdays. The listing says rental needs valid ID (passport or residence permit for foreign visitors) with no deposit pre-authorisation, and that a helmet, bottled water, lock and roadside assistance come with the bike. It also issues a lake-circuit certificate to people who rent there and ride the full circuit.
  南投縣魚池鄉水社村中山路163號1樓 · +886-49-2856713 · Website
• Sun Moon Lake Merida Bike Lover, Zhongxing Store 日月潭美利達愛騎自行車中興店
  Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
  Beside Zhongxing car park at the Shuishe bike path entrance; the NSA listing says it is about a 5-minute walk from the Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe) Taiwan Tourist Shuttle stop. Hours: 07:00 to 18:00 (Chinese listing) or 07:30 to 18:00 (English listing), reservations accepted. Helmets and a large lock are listed as free with rental.
  南投縣魚池鄉中興路12巷25-1號 · +886-49-2855295 · Website
• Xiangshang Bike Rental (Merida) 向山租車休閒廣場(美利達向山站)
  Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Xiangshan
  On Provincial Highway 21 near Xiangshan Visitor Center; the NSA listing calls it the only bike rental in the Xiangshan area. Hours: 08:30 to 17:30 on the Chinese listing, 08:30 to 18:00 (reserve for longer hours) on the English listing. The listing says free parking, route briefing, roadside assistance and helmets come with a rental.
  南投縣魚池鄉中山路592號 · +886-49-2856558 · Website

Show all 7 listed providers

• Dashu Electric Bike Rental 日月潭大樹電動自行車
  Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
  Listed in the NSA Bicycle Rental category (Chinese listing only), diagonally across from Zhongxing car park. Hours: winter 08:00 to 17:00, summer 08:00 to 18:00.
  南投縣魚池鄉水社村中興路39號 · 0979660089
• Dianxiaoer Bike Rental 踮小二自行車出租
  Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
  Listed in the NSA Bicycle Rental category (Chinese listing only). Hours on the listing: 08:00 to 18:00.
  南投縣魚池鄉中山路159號 · 0970618955
• Lvren Electric Bike Rental 日月潭旅人電動自行車
  Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Ita Thao
  Listed in the NSA Bicycle Rental category (Chinese listing only); the listing mentions several branches and one-way returns between them. Hours: 08:10 to 18:00.
  南投縣魚池鄉日月村中正路305-1號 · 0906297881
• Zhonghua Bike Rental (Ita Thao) 中華（電動）腳踏車出租、中華船隊、SUP立槳體驗
  Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Ita Thao
  Listed in the NSA Bicycle Rental category (Chinese listing only), near the Ita Thao bus stop. No hours given on the listing.
  南投縣魚池鄉日月村日月街107號 · 0972-711616

Confirm hours, rates and availability directly with the provider. Cycle.tw does not take bookings.

• How to rent a bike in Taiwan

Toilets, water and food

Services cluster at Shuishe, Xiangshan Visitor Center (09:00 to 17:00, phone 049-2341256) and Ita Thao Visitor Center (phone 049-2850289). Water, toilets and shade between these hubs are not listed on the NSA cycling pages. The NSA lists a 24-hour emergency hotline: +886-963-067-776.

Around the ride: → Sun Moon Lake by bus from Taichung, boats and ropeway

Safety and conditions

• Ride clockwise as the NSA recommends, follow traffic rules and signals, and expect tour buses and scooters on Highways 21 and 21A.
• Control your speed on the four NSA-listed steep sections: Hwy 21 66k to 69k; Hwy 21A 0 to 1.5k, 7.5k to 13.5k and 17.5k to 19.5k.
• Walk the Shuishe Dam boardwalk and the Yuetan path from Crescent Bay to the Huanhu No. 1 Tunnel entrance; cycling is prohibited there.
• The NSA asks riders to wear a helmet and gloves, check brakes before setting out, and choose routes to match their fitness and health.
• Mountain weather changes; in typhoon season check NSA notices, and carry lights if there is any chance of finishing late.
• 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

Cool, dry days; start early to avoid tour bus traffic and afternoon heat. Come!BikeDay runs around October and November, when the roads are busy with riders.

Nearby and related

• Jiji Green Tunnel and Jiji Town Bikeways
• Gua Shan Three Rails Route and Ershui Bikeway
• Bagua Mountain Ridge Road Ride (八卦山自行車道)
• When to ride: weather by month and events
• Rent by bike type

Emergency: 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance. From a mobile phone, 112 also reaches emergency services.

Printed from https://cycle.tw/routes/sun-moon-lake-circuit/

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