Kitazawa Touge Route to Kaikoma-gatake
①Kitazawa pass ~ Chouei koya Mountain hut ~ Sensui koya Mountain hut ~ Sensui pass ~ Komatsu-mine ~ Mt. Kaikoma-gatake ~ Komatsu-mine ~ Mt. Futago-yama ~ Kitazawa pass
Technical level: C
Physical strength level: 3
Difficulty level: ⛰️⛰️
A round course starting from Kitazawa pass at an elevation of 2,030 m. A hike to the summit through a bright white slope made of granite.
Access to Kitazawa Pass from Hotel Senryu-so
●Hiking Data
Schedule: One night two days
Walking hours: 7 hours 10 minutes
(Up: 4 hours 20 minutes/Down 2 hours 50 minutes)
Walking distance: 8.2 km
Difference in elevation: 1,216 m
：Mountain Villa Information
Kitazawa Pass
Elevation 2,030m
↓ 10 minutes
Chouei koya Mountain hut
Elevation 1,980m
↓ 30 minutes
Sensui koya Mountain hut
Elevation 2,130m
↓ 40 minutes
Sensui pass
Elevation 2,264m
↓ 1 hour 30 minutes
Komatsu-mine
Elevation 2,752m
↓ 1 hour 30 minutes
Mt. Kaikoma-gatake
Elevation 2,967m
↓ 1 hour
Komatsu-mine
Elevation 2,752m
↓ 30 minutes
Mt. Futago-yama
Elevation 2,649m
↓ 1 hour 20 minutes
Kitazawa Pass
Elevation 2,030m
Route Guide
From Kitazawa bus stop, follow Minami Alps Rindo logging road towards Hirogawara to Chouei-koya Mountain hut. Continue the road to the front of Chouei-koya through a camping site. This point is an actual trailhead. Cross a small stream and start the trail to the forest area. When the trail begins to veer away from the stream and the elevation grows higher, a tough steep incline begins. Pass a small rocky zone with the use of a rope and continue to Sensui-koya Mountain hut.
From the front of the hut, hike on the trail through the forest area. Take a right path along the slope from the spot where rocks are stacked up on the slope. Sensui pass is reached after a walk on a rocky trail. Turn left at the pass and ascend on the steep slope. Marishiten can be spotted through trees. A trail ascending from Kitazawa pass can be seen on your left. Komatsu-mine is at the junction of the trail. A powerful view of Mt. Kaikoma-gatake can be enjoyed from Komatsu-mine, a small plateau.
From Komatsu-mine, descend a hill through a rocky zone. A few ups and downs begin after the hill. A rocky ridgeline walk begins after passing a big rock, Rokuman-goku. When you arrive at the junction of the trail which goes straight up to the summit, turn right. The trail is only for the expert. The trail becomes graveled and whitish with granite. The view might make you feel like you were on a different planet like you would see in a movie. This granite trail leads to the summit. Take a left path at the junction with a trail going to Marishiten. Mt. Kaikoma-gatake is reached in shortly.
A small shrine stands at the center of the summit. Mt.Kita-dake, Mt. Snejo-gatake, Mt. Yatsu-gatake, the Northern Alps, and Mt. Fuji-yama can be spotted. Enjoy the view then return to Komatsu-mine by the trail you ascended. From Komatsu-mine, hike down on the ridgeline spreading in a southwest direction to Kitazawa pass. Till Mt. Futago-yama, hike down through Pinus Pumila and from the saddle, then the trail climbs up. Mt. Senjo-gatake can be seen in your direction. From Mt. Futago-yama, pass some ups and downs and hike down to Kitazawa Pass where Komorebi-sanso Mountain hut stands.