5-hour hike on Jinshan! Unlocking the autumn wilderness map with kids

Outdoors is my mental sanctuary
🍑The autumn scenery in the village is priceless! This weekend, I took the kids to challenge the Jinshan loop trail, 15,000 steps of mountain path, and the kids were even more energetic than the adults—nature truly is the ultimate energy burner!

📍Reasons to choose Jinshan:

Avoiding crowds is just one reason; more importantly, the autumn colors here have a "three-dimensional" feel: red leaves along the foot of the mountain, a suspension bridge hanging in midair at the mid-mountain, and a panoramic view of the reservoir from the summit. For kids, it’s like stepping into a moving oil painting.

🚘Travel checklist:

Children’s trekking poles (very helpful on the ladder section);

Thermos + fruit puree, rice balls (to replenish energy on the way);

Sweat towel + spare socks (big temperature difference in the mountains, sweat can cause colds).

🍁Family-friendly route:

Visitor Center → electric cart to trailhead → Lingtan Shuyu (20 minutes playing in water) → Eighth Route Army Command Post (rest stop 1) → Lanke Terrace (giant rock exploration) → Suspension Bridge (perfect photo spot!) → Furong Village (lunch spot) → gentle slope descent.

💡Energy-saving tip: Kids under 5 can return the same way from the suspension bridge to avoid the steep steps in the latter half.

👍Highlights:

The mountain stream is shallow and clear, kids can squat to find colorful leaves;

The suspension bridge section is covered with red leaves, 100% photo-worthy;

The riverbank where villagers dry persimmon cakes becomes a natural classroom.

👎Avoid pitfalls:

The ladder is almost vertical, parents need to escort from front and back;

Few restrooms in the scenic area, make sure to use the bathroom before hiking;

Fog starts to rise after 3 PM, early departure is recommended.

🌈Memorable moment:

On the way back, the kid held a bag of acorns, saying “I want to plant them on the balcony.” Maybe he doesn’t understand the poetry of “orange, yellow, tangerine, green,” but the moss he touched and the fallen leaves he stepped on are secret gifts autumn gave him.

💓Heartwarming moment:

The kids in the group shared snacks with each other, and adults took turns carrying supplies. This kind of “helping hand” warmth made the hike a dual lesson in parent-child bonding and socializing—after all, people who have seen mountains and waters together always grow closer.