Hiking Tour on the Huizhou Ancient Path: 15 Kilometers Embracing Mountain Breezes and Sunlight Together

In May, the wind carries the freshness of mountains and wilds and the slight intoxication of early summer. It brushes past the villages with black tiles and white walls in Huizhou, and also stirs our hearts longing for hiking.

To actively respond to the three-year action initiative of the National Health Commission's "Weight Management Year" and bid farewell to sub-health, I led my friends to embark on a special journey — hiking the Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path. We plan to take this as a starting point to measure the mountains and rivers once every quarter.

The Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path, a thousand-year-old stone trail winding through the mountains of Anhui and Zhejiang, carries the clouds of history. It was once the lifeblood through which Huizhou merchants shouldered burdens and trod out prosperity.

Today, it lies quietly amidst layers of green mountains, with verdant scenery as far as the eye can see, gurgling streams, and mottled stone steps. The natural and cultural landscapes blend together, creating a 沉醉 (intoxicating) scene.

The 15-kilometer trek was undoubtedly a dual test of physical strength and willpower for our group of hiking "new recruits."

In the morning, we set off from the entrance of Zhechuan Village in Lin'an and climbed up the mountain along the stone steps. Our initial excitement was soon replaced by heavy breathing and sore legs.

However, what surprised me most was that Dongyuan, the strongest-built member of the team, and Lielie, the chubbiest, not only didn’t fall behind but marched steadily and led the way. Their unwavering strides, driven by an unyielding tenacity like a burning flame, were scorching and dazzling, deeply inspiring everyone.

Even more moving were the partners who pressed on despite injuries: Jinying with a herniated lumbar disc, Han Jiaxia with an unhealed waist injury, and Nicole with a previously torn ligament—they silently persevered, keeping pace with the team. The sound of each step on the stone steps was like a questioning and answering of their own limits, 诠释 (interpreting) the power of resilience through action.

During the journey, there were endless interesting moments and warm interactions. Liu Shoujiang seemed to be in a playful "battle" with raspberries—picking them along the way and feasting on them with focused satisfaction.

He Kui was like a walking plant guide, knowing every tree and shrub by heart. With him around, everyone felt an inexplicable sense of calm and security.

Although Yangyang rarely appeared in front of the camera, she always carried a camera, bustling back and forth like a diligent bee to capture precious moments.

Meanwhile, Dou Ge and Zhu Ziqi always arrived at the preset scenic spots ahead of time, silently waiting with their lenses to freeze the smiles and figures of their partners into eternity.

When we reached "Blue Sky Notch," the view suddenly opened up. The rolling mountains spread out like waves at our feet, and winds surged in from all directions, carrying a refreshing coolness that dispelled the heat of climbing. The sun spilled generously, gilding everyone's silhouette with a warm golden edge.

In that moment, the hustle and bustle of the city and the restlessness within were completely washed away, leaving only the vastness of heaven and earth, the endless ancient path, and the laughter of our partners by our side.

In the second half of the journey, we traversed through Xiaxuetang and Huangmaopei Village. The stone steps gradually flattened, and the forest shade grew thicker. Streams babbled beside our feet, and our companions could hardly contain their eagerness. They rushed to the 溪边，found a blue stone to sit on, and eagerly took off their mud-stained, sweat-soaked shoes and socks. Carefully, they dipped their exhausted feet into the crystal-clear stream—a bone-chilling coolness instantly surged from their ankles to the top of their heads.

The clear spring in this mountain stream not only cleansed our feet but also flowed into our hearts like a living fountain, transforming the hardships of the trek into the warm satisfaction of river stones and the light sweetness of flowing water at this very moment.

As the finish line of the 15-kilometer journey came into view, we looked back at the path we had traveled. The stone trail winding along the verdant mountain ridges seemed like a bond of time.

These vivid moments, like sunspots filtering through the forest gaps, leaped and converged on the Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path in May, weaving the most touching picture.

Is 15 kilometers a long way? It seemed to stretch across the mountains of time, spanning the river of moments;

Is it close? It was just within reach, for we walked side by side, hearts connected.

In that instant, the hustle and bustle faded away, and restlessness dissipated. Only the mountain breeze caressing our faces, the gentle sunlight, and the endless ancient path embraced us tenderly and deeply.

Time itself seemed to stand still for us.