Youth Ridge Trail Introduction
Reopened on March 15, 2023! The trail is approximately 2.5 kilometers long and was originally a path for residents of Ruishi and Taihe to exchange goods. The entrances are located near the Yuantan Ecological Park and next to Ruishi Elementary School on County Road 166. The two main highlights of the Youth Ridge Trail are Swallow Cliff and Bat Cave. Swallow Cliff has a rock wall that is about 40 meters wide, featuring horizontal stripes formed by wind erosion, densely populated with neat holes. During spring and summer, albañiles (swallows) collect mud at the base of the waterfall, wet the earth, and build nests on the rock wall, showcasing their graceful figures. During the rainy season, walking the lower trail brings you under the cliff, where water cascades down as if walking through a water curtain cave. Another highlight is the Bat Cave, which extends over 200 meters and is a continuation of the upper layers of Swallow Cliff. The rock formation 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, once a habitat for bats, hence the name "Bat Cave." Beyond the Bat Cave lies Haohan Slope, a steep ascent that tests one’s endurance with a height difference of 250 meters along the Youth Ridge Trail. Although the path is not overly difficult, it includes several steep drops. The Youth Ridge Trail has two entrances: 1. Ruishi Farm (formerly Ruishi Mountain Villa): Located at 72.2K on County Road 166, turn into the access road for about 200 meters to reach the entrance. 2. Ruishi Elementary School: Located at 78.8K on County Road 166, next to the bus stop. This route is farther from Swallow Cliff and is steeper. Both entrances require descending before ascending. If entering from Ruishi Farm and exiting from Ruishi Elementary School, the initial fork in the path features a section of stairs averaging 60 degrees, with over 1,700 steps, truly challenging your leg strength, taking about 2 hours one way. If you do not walk the entire distance, a round trip from the Ruishi Farm entrance to the Bat Cave takes about 1.5 hours.
