Hardhan Ridge has an elevation of 616 meters, making it the highest peak of Guanyin Mountain, which is located on the left bank of the Tamsui River, spanning across three administrative districts: Wugu, Bali, and Linkou. The mountain is named after its shape, which resembles a reclining Guanyin Bodhisattva, and it is home to several ancient temples dedicated to the bodhisattva. Guanyin Mountain is a part of the Datun Volcano Group and is a conical volcano. The seasonal winds bring oceanic moisture that condenses into clouds and fog on the mountain, creating a breathtaking landscape with ever-changing cloud formations, earning it the nickname "Baling Spit Mist". It is listed as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Danshui" during the Qing dynasty.
The Hardhan Ridge hiking trail, formerly known as the Guanyin Ancient Trail, got its name from the "Hardhan Spirit" of the Military Police School that trained here in the 1960s. The slope of the ridge reaches 14.87%, making it a relatively steep second-level slope, with a single-way distance of approximately 1563 meters, mostly consisting of stone stairs. It takes about 60 minutes to reach the top of the ridge at a slow pace, making it a challenging trail suitable for fitness training. At the top of the ridge stands a pavilion with an inscription on the uphill side that reads, "Take the difficult path, and choose the heavy burden", and on the downhill side, "Come to learn to be a hard man, and leave to become a hard man", which inspires and tests the mental and physical strength of hikers.
The first observation deck at the Tamsui River mouth offers a panoramic view of the Great Taipei area. From the observation deck on Hardhan Ridge, one can see the entire landscape of Greater Taipei, including the Taipei Port in Bali, the Tamsui River and its intersection with the ocean, the Tamsui historic sites, the Datun Volcano Group, the Guandu Bridge, the Taipei 101 building, the New Taipei Bridge, and the beautiful eighteen peaks surrounding Guanyin Mountain. The mountain, sea, river, and city are all within view.
Guanyin Mountain is also an important stopover for migrating birds of prey, attracting many bird enthusiasts to come and observe the majestic birds.