Where to hike around Noboribetsu?
Within 1 hours drive or less, you can access some of the best mountains and volcanoes in the Noboribetsu area. From short mountain climbs to day-long volcano hikes, there is a wide variety that can suit you.
Here are 5 of the best hikes hand-picked by Nobo Tours.
1. Mt. Tarumae （樽前山）
Overview
Mt. Tarumae (a.k.a Tarumaezan) is an active volcano within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, 1 hour from Sapporo city. It is one of Japan’s ‘100 famous mountains’ (百名山) and is popular with many hikers due to its stunning views and amazing volcanic lava dome in its centre.
The hiking route is well-used and the average hiker can do it easily. The path is gravel due to its volcanic nature, and therefore good hiking shoes are needed and hiking poles are recommended.
Most people hike up to the summit only which takes about an hour, but if you continue around the crater rim, you get fantastic views in all directions as well as getting up close to the lava dome makes it well worth it.
2. Mt. Orofure（オロフレ山）
Overview
Mt. Orofure, also known as Orofureyama, is the highest mountain in the Noboribetsu area. It is situated on top of Orofure Pass and offers views to the east towards Noboribetsu and west towards Lake Toya. The mountain features unique jagged cliff faces, birch forests, and some steep rocky areas. The hike is relatively easy for the average hiker, with only the last 30 minutes involving a steep climb. The route can be accessed via the Orofure Pass viewpoint carpark, which is open from June to October.
3. Kammuinupuri （カムイヌプリ山）
Overview
Kammuinupuri means ‘god mountain’ in Ainu language, the indigenous language of Hokkaido. Looking over Noboribetsu, it is a striking mountain that is visible as soon as you arrive in the area.
It is not a big mountain but it is still a good climb as it has varying terrain and some steep rocky sections. The whole hike is in the forest until you get to the summit. There you get overlooking views of Noboribetsu, the Pacific Ocean and the city of Muroran to the south.
4. Mt. Usu （有珠山）
Overview
Mt. Usu or Usuzan in Japanese, is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, having last erupted in 2000. Mt. Usu erupts every 20-60 years and is due for an eruption now. Most people take the gondola, which faces Lake Toya, up the volcano. But actually, there is a very nice hike that can be done starting from the Pacific Ocean side of the volcano.
The majority of the hike is through beautiful forests until you reach the crater rim pathway. From there you can turn left and see Mt. Usu’s crater, Lake Toya and Uchiura Bay. If you turn right, you can walk around the crater and eventually arrive at the gondola.
5. Tokushunbetsu-yama to Horohoro-yama （徳舜別山ーホロホロ山）
Overview
Tokushunbetsu-yama (quite a mouthful), is a very rewarding mountain hike located between Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu. This mountain is connected to another mountain, Horohoro-yama, and it is possible to hike both peaks as they are situated close together. You can start climbing from either the Tokushunbetsu-yama side or the Horohoro-yama side, though the ascent from Tokushunbetsu-yama is slightly shorter.
The hike starts in forests and about midway, you start to get incredible views towards Lake Shikotsu. Once reaching the top the terrain becomes very rugged with big cliffs. If you’re feeling energetic, then you can continue along the ridgeline and up the short climb to Horohoro-yama.
Conclusion
There are many other mountains around the Shikotsu-Toya National Park to choose from, but for a nice day hike, these 5 hikes will suit your needs. If you are interested in any of these hikes you can join one of Nobo Tours’ hiking tours here. Happy hiking!