Youth Ridge Trail Introduction
The trail is approximately 2.5 kilometers long and was originally a path for the residents of Ruili and Taihe to exchange goods. The two entrances are located near the Yuantan Ecological Park and next to the Ruili Elementary School by County Road 166. The two main highlights of the Youth Ridge Trail are Swallow Cliff and Bat Cave. The Swallow Cliff has a width of about 40 meters, and its rock face is shaped with horizontal stripes due to erosion, densely covered with orderly small holes. During spring and summer, fork-tailed swifts carry mud and "scoop water" at the base of the waterfall, moistening the soil and building nests on the rock face, showcasing their graceful postures. During the rainy season, walking the mountain path under the cliff resembles walking through a water curtain cave, with water cascading down from above. Another highlight is the Bat Cave, which is an extension of the upper layer of Swallow Cliff, stretching over 200 meters. The rock formation is layered sandstone shale, and the surface forms honeycomb-like openings, the largest of which is about 50 centimeters wide and 60 centimeters deep, historically used by bats for roosting, hence the name "Bat Cave." After the Bat Cave, the trail leads to Haohan Slope, with a vertical drop of 250 meters along the Youth Ridge Trail. Although the path is not too difficult, there are many steep sections, making it a trail that tests endurance and perseverance. The Youth Ridge Trail is approximately 2.5 kilometers long, with two entrances: 1. Ruili Farm (formerly Ruili Villa): Located at 72.2K on County Road 166, turn into the industrial road for about 200 meters to reach the entrance. 2. Ruili Elementary School: Located at 78.8K on County Road 166, the entrance is next to the bus stop, although this route is farther from Swallow Cliff and steeper. Both entrances require going downhill first before ascending. If entering from Ruili Farm and exiting at Ruili Elementary School, the fork in the trail features a section with an average incline of 60 degrees, with over 1700 stairs, truly challenging leg strength, taking about 2 hours one way. If not traversing the entire length, the round trip from the Ruili Farm entrance to the Bat Cave takes about 1.5 hours.
