Youth Ridge Trail Introduction
The trail is approximately 2.5 kilometers long and was originally a path for residents of Ruiri and Taihe to exchange goods. The two entrances are located near the Yuantan Eco-Park and beside the Ruiri Elementary School on County Road 166. Two major highlights along the Youth Ridge Trail are the Swallow Cliff and Bat Cave. The Swallow Cliff has a rock wall that is about 40 meters wide, with horizontal stripes formed by wind erosion and densely packed with uniform holes. During spring and summer, the Black-faced Spoonbills can be seen collecting mud at the bottom of the waterfall, wetting the soil and building nests on the rock face with their graceful movements. Walking beneath the cliff during the rainy season, one can experience the water cascading down, resembling a scene in a water curtain cave. Another highlight is the Bat Cave, which extends over 200 meters and is a continuation of the upper strata of Swallow Cliff. The rock is composed of layered sandy shale, and the surface has honeycomb-like openings, the largest of which is about 50 centimeters wide and 60 centimeters deep, serving as a former habitat for bats, thus called the "Bat Cave." After passing through the Bat Cave, the path leads to Haohan Slope, with a total elevation change of 250 meters along the Youth Ridge Trail. While the journey is not excessively difficult, there are several steep sections that challenge one’s perseverance and endurance. The Youth Ridge Trail has two entrances: 1. Ruiri Farm (formerly Ruiri Mountain Villa): located at kilometer 72.2 on County Road 166; enter a service road for about 200 meters to reach the entrance. 2. Ruiri Elementary School: located at kilometer 78.8 on County Road 166; the entrance is next to the bus stop, and this route is further away from Swallow Cliff and steeper. Both entrances involve descending before ascending. If entering from Ruiri Farm and exiting at Ruiri Elementary School, the fork at Youth Ridge features a ladder with an average incline of 60 degrees, with more than 1,700 steps, truly a test of leg strength. The one-way trip takes about 2 hours. If not completing the full trail, the round trip from Ruiri Farm entrance to the Bat Cave takes about 1.5 hours.
