Hutou Mountain Trail Family Hiking Fun Introduction
For information on trail opening, please refer to the latest news from the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Bureau, Council of Agriculture. The Huto Mountain Parent-Child Trail features seasonal landscapes, with the white oilseed plum flowers in spring and summer, and red maple leaves and cold plum blossoms in autumn and winter, making it a favorite hiking trail for tourists and locals. The Huto Mountain Parent-Child Trail is located in the Ruisi Township's Ruibei area. From Guangfu, head south along Provincial Highway 9, turn right onto Xiangbei Road in front of Ruibei Elementary School. The gentle breeze accompanies you along the industrial road, with farmland on both sides under the blue sky, complementing the green mountains and clear waters, allowing you to fully appreciate the idyllic scenery of Ruisi Township. The parent-child trail offers a view of the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley, originally named "Dama Yanshan" for Huto Mountain, standing at an elevation of 1,747 meters, which is a protruding ridge of the Dandashan, a subrange of the Central Mountain Range. Legend has it that a giant rock atop the mountain resembles a crouching tiger, hence the name "Huto Mountain"; another interpretation is that the mountain looks like a lying tiger when viewed from the Coastal Mountain Range, with its shape resembling a "tiger head" at the northwestern barrier at the trail entrance. The parent-child trail starts at the intersection of Qi Xian Road and Xiangbei Road, and ascends along a side path behind a nearby hot spring business. The trail begins flanked by bamboo groves, but shortly after, the vegetation and landscapes change, often revealing butterflies fluttering around. Perhaps the most striking feature of the trail is that after a short climb, you can turn a corner and face the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley, taking in fields below, the checkerboard of houses, and the streets of Ruisi. The Coastal Mountain Range nearby is shrouded in mist, with the layered mountains making the valley fields appear even more humble. The ecological beauty of nature is highlighted not only by the dancing butterflies along the trail but also by the surrounding flowering plants that encourage visitors to pause and admire. Purple morning glories, red globe amaranths, or white magnolia flowers; even without knowing the names of the birds, beasts, or plants, one can still experience many surprises. Summer is also the harvest season for dragon fruit, and there are organic dragon fruits ready for picking along the trail. Encountering the diligent farmers is a delight, as they inform you about the dragon fruits growing from the flowers clinging to the betel palm trees, which are irrigated with fermented milk mixed with water, giving them a unique flavor. On summer afternoons, walking this trail and returning, you might unexpectedly notice a large ship's propeller taken apart near a farm, which seems to embody Hualien's features: the sea, the bountiful fruits and fields, and the gentle whispers carried over the mountains by the sea breeze. The Huto Mountain Trail does not take long to walk; a visit will surely allow you to discover your unique journey of surprises. From a high vantage point, you can take in the continuous scenery of the valley, as well as the Xiuguluan River, the Wuzhishan Plateau, and the streets of Ruisi, making it a popular challenge for many hiking enthusiasts. Located on the southeastern foothills of the eastern side of Jiangbunan Mountain in Ruisi Township, it is the southernmost point of Taiwan's Coastal Mountain Range, with rich low-altitude trees along the way, such as sweet bamboo, maple trees, fish vines, and camphor trees, allowing visitors to absorb nature's phytoncides, relax their minds and bodies, and embark on a spiritual cleansing journey.
Hutoushan Trail: A Fun Outing for Parents and Children
Hutoushan Trail: Family-Friendly Outdoor Fun
