Central Alps Fastpacking Trip

A full north-to-south traverse of the Central Alps, starting from the forest floor and finishing on one of the most celebrated ridgelines in Japan.

We have accommodation booked in Okuwa on Friday night so the group can catch the first local train to Agematsu and taxi to the trailhead. It is an early start with a reason.

Day one is defined by the climb. The Uematsu A Course is one of the most direct and demanding approaches in the Central Alps - 2,095m of ascent over 8.8km through dense Kiso cedar forest, with no shortcut and no ropeway. The route passes through the treeline and over the summit of Kisokoma-gatake (2,956m), the highest peak in the Central Alps. From the top on a clear day, the views take in the Northern Alps, the Southern Alps, Mt Fuji, Mt Ontake, and Yatsugatake all at once. We finish the day at Houkensanso (宝剣山荘), perched just below the rocky spire of Hoken-dake.

Day two starts at 3:30am on what is described as the golden course of the Central Alps - the main ridgeline running south with the Southern Alps on one side and Mt Ontake on the other. The ridge involves chains, exposed traverses, and sustained rocky terrain before the final climb to Utsugidake (2,864m), one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. The descent from there is long but well-graded, finishing at Suganodai Bus Center.

Both Japanese and English speakers are welcome - we will do our best to support both languages throughout the trip.

Train: Sat Morning - Kiso Hirosawa 07:11 - Agematsu 07:44
Night: Houkensanso Campground (宝剣山荘)
Finish: Suganodai Bus Center (菅の台バスセンター)
Day 1: 8.8km, 2,095m up, 311m down
Day 2: 18.6km, 1,320m up, 3,340m down
Price: ¥20,000