Shosho Chang along with his friend discovers a secret hidden route to the Men Ma Lu mountain in the Kenting National Park. Men Ma Lu itself means "can't find a way," yet these two champs pave their way through the dense forests of southern Taiwan.
Amidst global warming and pollution, Taipei City has taken a step towards saving the environment with the best bike-sharing system in the world. All you have to do is buy an easy card and register using your mobile phone at the kiosk. You're all set to start cruising around Taipei City like a champ. Along with that, this place has really good coffee.
The first national park covers the southern-most area of Taiwan at the Hengchun Peninsula. This national park is well known for its tropical climate. People love to hit the beach during sunshine and play all kinds of water activities. But what they usually don't know is that Kenting National Park is also a perfect place for an economical tour and hiking.
Shosho says, "I personally love the stretch starting from Baisha Bay to Wanliton where it's my favourite place to watch the sunset. For sunrise, the LongPan Park is there from where you can overlook the stunning coast of the Pacific Ocean."
For the ride, you can just cycle down Highway 26 towards the east after passing the southernmost point of Taiwan, the Eluanbi Lighthouse. You can see LongPan Park on your right-hand side. This section is also considered the most scenic highway in Taiwan.
But the real adventure was discovering a secret route for the Men Ma Lu mountain trail — the perfect off-road mountain biking route. Shosho and his friend Kuan Lin tried to find a way in but unfortunately failed on their first attempt. They even sent a drone to scout in.
A few weeks later they returned, determined to tackle this challenge. They went to Hengchun Harbor to find a whole bunch of seafood and had a barbecue feast. Then the next morning they buckled up and set out to explore this secret cycle trail. They cycled all the way to Hengchun Township and entered County Road 200. Soon after, they arrived at the intersection of the Men Ma Lu Trail and disappointedly still hit a dead end.
They wandered around a bit, went through a little trail with trampled grass on a dirt road. Both friends joked they might end up dying or just get tangled between the woods. After a really long and exhausting ride, they reached another fence-like structure and decided to push through. They went for a steep mountain ride, and their hard work paid off — they reached the Men Ma Lu mountain.
Men Ma Lu mountain is situated in the southernmost part of the central mountain range and is about 300 meters above sea level. It was a historic trail for transporting sisal. The roads here were so complicated that even seasoned hikers got lost. The most famous attraction was the couple tree, but they were blown down by a typhoon. This place is perfect for mountain biking where you'd wish to go for a ride again and again.
About Kenting National Park
Kenting is Taiwan's first national park and the country's southernmost protected area, occupying the tip of the Hengchun Peninsula where the island narrows toward the Bashi Channel. The park combines tropical coastline with a small but rugged mountain range, and that variety is what makes it a long-haul destination rather than a quick beach stop. Visitors split their time between sand and saddle, with most days starting at sunrise on the coast and ending in the cooler interior.
The climate runs warm year-round, with a tropical monsoon pattern that softens the heat with regular afternoon rain in the wet months. Winter months are mild and dry and bring the most reliable cycling and hiking weather.
Getting There
The fastest approach is the High Speed Rail to Kaohsiung's Zuoying station, followed by a connecting bus south to Hengchun or Kenting. Driving from Kaohsiung takes a comfortable couple of hours and adds the freedom to stop at any of the coastal viewpoints along the way. From Taipei, the easiest pattern is a morning HSR south, an afternoon bus to the park, and a full day or two of riding before the return.
If you intend to follow Shosho's route, source a sturdy gravel or hardtail mountain bike rather than a pure road bike. The off-road stretches into the Men Ma Lu approach are not friendly to skinny tires.
The Cycle Loop
Highway 26 along the eastern coast is one of Taiwan's most photogenic roads, threading past Eluanbi Lighthouse at the southernmost point of the island and then turning north along bluffs that drop into the Pacific. LongPan Park, on the right just after the lighthouse, is the standard sunrise viewpoint and rewards an early alarm. From here, the highway flattens into a forgiving ride toward Jialeshui, where dramatic rock formations and a small fishing harbor give you a turnaround point.
For sunsets, the run between Baisha Bay and Wanliton along the western coast is the postcard ride. The road sits a little higher than the beach, and the angle of the light through the casuarina trees at dusk is hard to beat.
Where to Stay and Eat
Hengchun township is the practical base for a longer Kenting trip. Guesthouses range from simple homestays to boutique B&Bs with bicycle storage, and the food scene around the old gate of the town is one of the southern peninsula's small joys. Hengchun Harbor is the place to source fresh seafood. Pick up grilled squid, shellfish, and tuna sashimi for a beachside dinner, and look for the small operations selling cold beer and fresh pineapple as the side dish.
In Kenting town itself, the night market is the loud, fun option for a single evening. It is crowded and touristy, but the breadth of street food is genuinely impressive and a good way to taste your way through southern Taiwan's specialities.
Practical Tips
Bring at least one set of decent waterproofs even in the dry season. Tropical squalls can roll in fast. Carry more water than you think you need on any inland ride. Sun protection is non-negotiable. The reflected light off the limestone is stronger than first-time visitors expect.
If you're attempting an off-trail route like the Men Ma Lu approach, go with at least one local rider, leave a route plan with someone who knows where to look for you, and respect closures around protected habitat. Adventure in a national park is about working with the rangers rather than around them.
Final Thoughts
Kenting rewards travelers who treat it as something more than a quick beach detour. The combination of coast, mountain, and food makes a multi-day visit one of the best in southern Taiwan, and the riding culture that surrounds the park is genuinely welcoming. Bring a bike, bring patience, and let the heat slow you down to the speed at which the place actually reveals itself.
Beyond the Cycle Trail
Kenting National Park rewards visitors who balance the cycling with the slower attractions of the southern peninsula. Maobitou Park, on a small headland near Eluanbi, offers dramatic limestone formations and one of the country's best vantages for watching the sunset over the Bashi Channel. The Sheding Nature Park preserves a stretch of native forest with butterflies, monkeys, and birds that are increasingly rare elsewhere on the island.
The night markets along the main strip in Kenting town are the loud, social end of any day in the park. Squid skewers, grilled corn, fresh-cut fruit, and bubble tea fuel a slow walk through the lights. Avoid the worst of the weekend crowds by visiting on a weeknight if your schedule allows.
Cultural Notes
The southern peninsula has its own cultural texture, distinct from the more polished cities of the north. The local Hakka and indigenous communities have shaped the regional food and the art scene around Hengchun. Look for hand-pulled noodles at small shops in the old town, and stop at the small craft galleries that have grown around the perimeter of the historic walls.
Hengchun's annual events include several music festivals and cultural celebrations that draw visitors from across Taiwan. If your timing aligns with one of these, the town can fill quickly. Book accommodation well in advance during festival weekends.
