The Kyoto Trail －Distance yourself from the city ー

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04Dec2020

The Kyoto Trail －Distance yourself from the city ー

Content Partner

The 'My second hometown' project, through the free magazine Enjoy Kyoto and its affiliated website, is aimed at showing foreign visitors the deeper charms of this amazing city.

Content Partner

The 'My second hometown' project, through the free magazine Enjoy Kyoto and its affiliated website, is aimed at showing foreign visitors the deeper charms of this amazing city.

Put your hand up if you love autumn. Here in Kyoto, it’s the season when the city and the scenery are at their most stunning. This year the pandemic might be forcing us to curb our activities, but don’t despair—autumn is hiking season. Kyoto is surrounded by mountains with some of the most spectacular autumn foliage there is, and the air’s cleaner there too. So why not get away from the crowded city for a hike through the mountains of Kyoto?

One of the best places to enjoy autumn hiking is the Kyoto Isshū Trail (Kyoto Trail) that runs through the three mountain ranges around the perimeter of the city. The trail is divided into five sections of which four connect Fushimi and Arashiyama.

Take your mask off for a moment (making sure there’s nobody within two meters of you, of course!) and fill your lungs with clear autumn air.

Higashiyama Course

(Fushimi Momoyama—Shōgunzuka—Philosopher’s Walk—Mt. Hiei) Approx. 34.1 km

This course includes some of Kyoto’s major landmarks such as Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizudera temple. It’s easily accessible by public transport and a relatively comfortable walk for beginners.

Kitayama Eastern Course

(Mt. Hiei—Ōhara—Kurama and Ninose) Approx. 17.9 km

Offering a true hiking experience, this course takes you to the top of Mt. Hiei with its stunning panoramic views, and down through the sleepy rural scenery of Ōhara.

Kitayama Western Course

(Kurama and Ninose—Himuro—Sawanoike—Sanbi and Kiyotaki) Approx. 19.3 km

There’s a spiritual feel to this course. The steep mountain path through Kitayama cedar groves has been trodden by generations of monks on their way to Kurama and Kiyotaki.

Nishiyama Course

(Sanbi and Kiyotaki—Toriimoto—Togetsukyō Bridge—Mt. Matsuo-yama—Kamikatsura) Approx. 12.3 km

The starting point of this course, Kiyotaki, is one of the best places in Kyoto for viewing autumn foliage. From there it follows a riverside path down to Arashiyama. Recommended for families.

Keihoku Course

(Hosono—Ōmori—Yamaguni—Yuge—Kumata—Hosono and Yamaguni—Kuroda) Approx. 49 km (not including the Yamaguni-Kuroda segment)

A more remote hike through the mountainous northern outskirts of the city. This is the best choice if you want to experience the picturesque countryside.

In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we ask for your cooperation with the following:

1. Do not hike in large groups. Maintain sufficient distance from other hikers when resting.

2. Always wear a mask in crowded spaces.

3. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid heatstroke and dehydration.

4. Stay away from the trail if you are unwell (including a temperature that is higher than normal, chills, fatigue, difficulty breathing, or coughing).

Your life may be put at risk and unnecessary burden placed on rescue and medical services if you develop COVID-19 symptoms while on the trail.

For more information about Kyoto Circuit Trail go to:

https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/article/trail/ (Japanese)

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