Forest Hills traverse

Start on Dalian Greenway

The Greenway is continuous to Kaifaqu in the west, and links the start and finish waypoints.

Start of hill and forest track

Turnoff onto a minor paved road, leading under the highway, and then begin a long hill climb. Red autumn Sumac.

Uphill on pavement

November 3, 2022. Photo shows a popular local fruit. Most other kinds of fruit trees are already harvested. Autumn colours well developed.

No fires!

严禁野外用火 "Prevent forest fires, use of fire in the wild is strictly prohibited."

End of the pavement.

Several large excited dogs loudly barking in adjoining industrial yard, appearantly tethered. No obstacles encountered along this track, no other people or vehicles seen on the day. A few large cows were encountered on the northern side of the mountain.

Pine Forest

The road follows a ridgeline in this area.

Late autumn leaves

Thick piles of fallen leaves may hide loose rocks on the track, best to slow down in these conditions.

Hilltop Cemetery, start descent.

Start descent from here. The recorded track follows the western fork, exposed to the late afternoon sun. An east fork is in shade and it also appears to join the highway to the north. The west facing hillside was once terraced for crops, but has been forested over for a very long time.

Grasslands

Grass pasture. Great view of Daheishan Mountain to the west. Photo of a rare natural rock outcrop (felsic meta-intrusive).

Fork in trail

Continuing north (downhill) towards highway, the track quickly enters fruit orchards and narrows, becomes rougher. Some cattle grazing along the track were very docile.

Sunken track in orchards

No fences or gates were encountered anywhere along the track. Narrow, sometimes rocky and rough through these orchards. Mountain bike territory!

Highway junction

Intersect a minor highway following a small river/canal. Marked shoulders.

Photo

Fast pace towards east along the river; clothes washing the traditional way, small flocks of farm geese. Photos shows road and shoulder conditions.

Bridge

Construction underway at this intersection. Fishing activity and waterfowl seen from bridges in this area.

Bridge

River view from bridge.

Dalian Greenway

On another bridge. The Greenway connects back to starting point.

Dalian Greenway