Youth Ridge Trail Introduction
The trail is approximately 2.5 kilometers long and was originally a path for the residents of Rui Li and Tai He to exchange goods. The entrances are located near the Yuan Tan Ecological Park and beside the Rui Li Elementary School on County Road 166. The two major highlights of the Youth Ridge Trail are Swallow Rock and Bat Cave. Swallow Rock has a wall approximately 40 meters wide, with horizontal stripes formed by wind erosion, densely covered with small holes. During spring and summer, the barn swallows build their nests on the rock walls by collecting mud and "dipping" it in the waterfall below, creating a graceful sight. During the rainy season, walking along the trail beneath the cliff, water flows down, making you feel like you are walking through a water curtain cave. Another highlight is the Bat Cave, which extends 200 meters from the upper layer of Swallow Rock. It consists of layered sandstone and shale, with honeycomb-like openings on the rock surface. The largest opening is about 50 centimeters wide and 60 centimeters deep, which served as a habitat for bats in the past, hence the name "Bat Cave." Past the Bat Cave is a path that leads to Hero Slope, with a total elevation gain of 250 meters along the Youth Ridge Trail. The trail is not overly difficult, but there are several steep sections, providing a test of perseverance and endurance. The Youth Ridge Trail has two entrances: 1. Rui Li Farm (formerly Rui Li Mountain Villa): Located at 72.2K on County Road 166, turn onto the access road for about 200 meters to reach the entrance. 2. Rui Li Elementary School: Located at 78.8K on County Road 166, with the entrance right next to the bus stop; this route is further from Swallow Rock and steeper. Both entrances involve downhill sections that lead to uphill segments; if you enter from Rui Li Farm and exit at Rui Li Elementary, there is a section at the fork in the trail that consists of steps with an average incline of 60 degrees, with over 1700 steps, truly challenging leg strength, taking about 2 hours for a one-way trip. If you choose not to complete the entire trail, you can return from the Rui Li Farm entrance to the Bat Cave, which takes about 1.5 hours round trip.
