From virgin forests to wildflowers, autumn leaves, and a world of silvery white snow! Enjoy the four seasons of the Chugoku Mountains on the Shimizu Trail

From virgin forests to wildflowers, autumn leaves, and a world of silvery white snow! Enjoy the four seasons of the Chugoku Mountains on the Shimizu Trailの画像

The entire Shimizu Trail, an 8,132m trekking course connecting Okayama Prefecture and Tottori Prefecture, has now been grandly opened. Starting and ending at Ningyo Pass in Kagamino Town , you can walk along the ridges Shimizu and Mount Hakushu. The course, covered with soft wood chips, is gentle on the legs and hips, making it an easy trek even for beginners. Why not enjoy a casual hike in the beautiful nature of the Chugoku Mountains, which changes with the seasons?

2024.03.14

What is Shimizu Trail?

The Shimizu Trail, which opened in its entirety in November 2019, is an 8,132m trekking course that traverses the border between Kagamino Town in Okayama Prefecture and Misasa Town in Tottori Prefecture , from Ningyo Pass to Shimizu to Mount Hakushu to Aka. The well-maintained course is covered with wood chips, allowing you to enjoy hiking while taking in the nature of the Chugoku Mountains in all four seasons.

Spring ①

The Shimizu route opened in the spring of 2019. The view from the summit of Shimizu, at an altitude of 950 meters, is outstanding. There is also a gazebo, which makes it a good rest spot.

Spring 2

Mount Hakushu, 1,044 meters above sea level, is home to a colony of the wild flower Iwauchiwa, which attracts many enthusiasts in the spring. Iwauchiwa is a rare flower endemic to Japan and is designated as an endangered species in some prefectures.

Summer ①

The best part of summer trekking is being surrounded by lush greenery. Unlike the city, it's cool and refreshing, allowing you to refresh both your body and mind.

Summer 2

With cypress chips underfoot, walking along the footpath through the Mori is sure to leave you feeling refreshed.

Autumn ①

Autumn, when the mountains are painted red and yellow, is the perfect season for trekking as the weather is mild. You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the well-maintained trails, making it a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves.

Autumn ②

The beech forest is beautiful not only for its colorful trees but also for its carpet of fallen leaves. The contrast between the blue autumn sky and the autumn leaves is a must-see.

Winter ①

A unique winter activity is hiking on snow in snowshoes or snow shoes. On clear winter days, you can see the mountains of the Chugoku Mountains in the distance.

Winter 2

With over one meter of snow, you can experience things you wouldn't normally be able to do, such as jumping and lying down on the snow.

Let's stop by the hot springs on the way home! "Kurgarden Konoka"

This hot spring facility combines the hot springs of Kamisaihara Onsen and Yunotani Onsen. Men and women alternate days to enjoy the observation deck (Mori no Yu) with a view of Mikagami, and the open-air rock bath (Iwai no Yu) modeled after Iwai Falls. On weekends and holidays, Iwai no Yu also offers special baths with ingredients such as mugwort and dokudami. There is also an indoor pool that uses the hot springs.

*Approximately 20 minutes by car from Aka Parking Lot, approximately 10 minutes by car from Ningyo Pass Parking Lot.

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Introducing trekking spots in Okayama Prefecture

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