Daisekkei (Hakuba Snowy Gorge Climbing) Route
Sarukura ~ Hakuba Snowy Gorge ～ Mt. Shirouma-dake ～ Tsugaike Nature Park
Technical level: C
Physical strength level: 5
Difficulty level: ⛰️⛰️⛰️
The highlights of this superlative mountain hiking are a stay at the cabin on the summit of the mountain, the radiance of its nature and the great view of Mt. Shirouma-dake.
The technical level is for beginners. It is an entry level course for The Northern Japan Alps.
Access to Sarukura
Access to Tsugaike Kogen –Tsugaike Sizen-en
●Hiking data
Schedule: one night two days Walking time: 11 hours 30 minutes
(Up: 6 hours 55 minutes/Down: 4 hours 55 minutes)
Walking distance: 15.6 km
Difference in elevation: 1,696 m
*The Daisekkei (Hakuba Snowy gorge) Route will be closed on the afternoon of August 27, 2023 as the snow melts. Please contact Hakuba Village for details.
：Mountain Villa Information
Sarukura
Elevation 1,230m
↓ 1 hour
Hakuba-jiri
Elevation 1,560m
↓ 20 minutes
Hakuba Massive Snowy Gorge entrance
Elevation 1,600m
↓ 2 hours 30 minutes
The end of the Massive Snowy Gorge
Elevation 2,250m
↓ 2 hours
Hakuba-dake Chojo-syukusha Mountain hut
Elevation 2,730m
↓ 15 minutes
Hakuba-sanso Mountain hut
Elevation 2,900m
↓ 20 minutes
Mt. Shirouma-dake
Elevation 2,932m
↓ 30 minutes
Mikuni-Sakai
Elevation 2,751m
↓ 45 minutes
Mt. Korenge-san
Elevation 2,766m
↓ 1 hours 20 minutes
Hakuba Oike
Elevation 2,380m
↓ 45 minutes
Mt. Hakuba-norikura-dake
Elevation 2,436m
↓ 45 minutes
Tenguhara
Elevation 1,900m
↓ 1 hour
Tsugai Pond Nature Park
Elevation 1,850m
Route Guide
An easy walking path through forest from Sarukura leads to Hakubajiri-koya Mountain Hut.
This is an enjoyable trail without hard uphills and downhills. The ridgeline of Mt. Shirouma-dake will be in sight from Hakubajiri.
From here, it takes a short time to the entrance of the Hakuba Massive Snowy Gorge. Crampons (6 points are suitable) need to be attached before entering the massive snowy gorge. Walk along the red line with an abundance of caution for falling rocks. From the end point of the massive snowy gorge, the trail goes into a steep, graveled slope. Once alpine plants begin to appear on the trail, it happens upon an emergency cabin. This is a good resting point. A place to replenish water supplies can be found a little further above.
After another steep climb, the trail reaches the mountain cabin, Hakuba-dake Chojo-syukusha Mountain Hut. It takes 35 minutes to get from here to the summit of Mt. Shirouma-dake. After passing Hakuba-sanso Mountain hut, the trail reaches the summit of Mt. Shirouma-dake. Enjoy the spectacular view!
It is recommended that you stay the night at Hakuba-sanso Mountain hut or Hakuba-dake Chojo-syukusha Mountain hut. There is a camping site at Hakuba-dake Chojo-syukusha Mountain hut.
On Day 2, the trail starts hiking down the ridgeline to Hakuba Oike with an open view. Have a nice break at Hakuba Oike-sanso Mountain hut at Hakuba Oike then hike down to Mt. Hakuba Norikura-dake, which has a wide summit, to Tenguhara. From Tenguhara, follow the wooden path, which leads to Tsugaike Pond Nature Park. Take a cable car or gondola lift down to Tsugaike Plateau