A YAMAP activity log describes a day hike that started at Usui Pass Hot Spring, followed the old Nakasendo, continued past Kumano Kōdai Shrine and the ridge to Kumano-daira, and finished on the Abt Road at Yokokawa Station. The route names attached to the log are Hanamagariyama, Hizumayama and Tomebuyama.
Recorded summary
- Total time: 9 hours 1 minute, including 58 minutes of rest
- Distance: 22.6 km
- Ascent: 1,307 m
- Descent: 1,401 m
- Course constant calculated from a standard time of 10:07
- Marked “tough,” with the figure 37
Usui Pass was crowded at the peak of the autumn leaves, while the Nakasendo section was quiet. The foliage was described as the best of the year, with a strong gradient of red, yellow and yellow-green.
Explanation boards appear along the route. The board before Mount Komochi, at the ruins of a single house associated with an old woman, was noted as too brief; the writer said the lack of detail led to imagining what was not explained.
A wish was made at Kumano Kōdai Shrine before the ridge path to Kumano-daira. The hiker walked while staying alert for bears. Accumulated fallen leaves made some places slightly harder to walk, but most of the trail was easy to follow.
From Kumano-daira the Abt Road led to Yokokawa Station. A visit to collect a Gunma Passport stamp was made but missed by a narrow margin. While looking toward Myogi, the hiker decided to go to Myogi the following week after a long interval.
One member is listed: Pire.
Original activity: https://yamap.com/activities/52536109
