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The longest section of the Nakahechi Imperial Route.


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Map Key

15.2

Miles

24.4

KM

74%

Runnable

2,276' 694 m

High

311' 95 m

Low

4,692' 1,430 m

Up

5,560' 1,695 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (7°)

71%

Max Grade (35°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Historical Significance · Hot Spring · River/Creek · Views

Need to Know

This trail is part of the Kumano Kodo, an ancient network of pilgrimage trails that link multiple Shinto and Buddhist shrines. Along these trails there are plenty of options for water and toilets. Hikers (and pilgrims) pack light and stay in accommodations ( tb-kumano.jp/en/lodging/) at the various way stations.

Pay your respects when entering shrines ( matcha-jp.com/en/874#:~:tex…. )

Runner Notes

Good flat trail with stone stairs for inclines. Parts of the trail are cobbled and can be slippery.

Description

The first 3.5 miles of this section follows the road out of town while visiting multiple shrines.

From here you tuck back into the forest and head steeply uphill gaining and then losing 300 vertical feet all within a mile. Cruise up the side of another rise. At the apex you pass a large landslide and then drop back down.

At 7 miles, you head up and down another hill which is the last significant prominence in this section. The trail trends gently down from here will a few steeper descents.

The final miles are rich with shrines culminating in the Kumano Hongū Taisha Grand Shrine in this section's terminus of Hongū.

Shared By:

Russell Hobart

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 2 votes

#3

in Japan

#1890

Overall
  5.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#3

in Japan

#3

in Japan

#1,890

Overall
3 Views Last Month
44 Since Jun 18, 2020
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Photos

A small tea farm just off the trail.
Jul 21, 2023 near Shingū, JP
Kohechi
Jul 21, 2023 near Shingū, JP
The stairway leading up to the shrine.
Jul 22, 2023 near Shingū, JP
First viewpoint on the trail.
Jun 18, 2020 near Tanabe, JP
A pretty pagoda in the complex.
Jul 22, 2023 near Shingū, JP
Looking down towards the great Torii Gate.
Jul 24, 2023 near Shingū, JP

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 76 days ago
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