(^28) Suao – Taroko National Park - 80km
From Suao, the route took me straight up the mountain, and in no time at all I was
high up, overlooking the coastline with Suao far below. Although mountainous and
slow-going, cycling wasn’t hard as Taiwan was home to master road builders and the
gradient was doable. The east coast was a stunning part of the country as the road
cut through tunnels and crossed massive valleys, all while the coast stretched for
miles, both north and south.
In January (winter), it became dark early and no time remained to cycle up the
famous Taroko Gorge. It was better to locate a room, eat, and relax.
Taroko Gorge - 40km
Being more cost-effective, I returned to the hostel I spotted the previous evening,
leaving enough time to cycle up the gorge unencumbered.
The Taroko Gorge was stunning and revealed sheer marble cliffs, reaching 1,000
metres into the air. A narrow road headed through winding tunnels, with the Liwu
River far below. My route further passed what was known as the Swallows Grotto,
where the road ran through tunnels carved into the sides of the gorge - thirty-eight
tunnels, all in all, including the Tunnel of Nine Turns. This was a beautiful part of the
canyon and an area where numerous hiking trails began. I merely hiked to the
Eternal Spring Shrine. These little temples were built in memory of those who lost
their lives while constructing the cross-island highway.
Albeit uphill, the gradient was gentle, or so it felt as I wasn’t carrying any luggage.
So extraordinary was the area, it took the best part of the day to cycle the 20
kilometres to the next village.
leana
(Leana)
#1