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Self-Guided Adventure
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Shin-Etsu Trail Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)
4 Nights: from US$1223 per person (twin share) Trip Code: SET02
This four-night module offers the best of both worlds: three days of hiking along scenic sections of the Shin-Etsu Trail, along with a rest day in rural Togarinozawa Onsen where you can enjoy a farm stay experience. This module can easily be tailored to fit into a variety of Self-Guided Adventures. Read more >
At 70km (44 miles) long, the Shin-Etsu Trail is a multi-day hiking trail that snakes along the ridge of the Sekida Mountain chain that separates Niigata Prefecture to the north, and Nagano Prefecture to the south. The 16 passes over this historic trail has been used for centuries by traders from both prefectures, and nowadays it attracts hikers keen to enjoy the peaceful, uncrowded route.
This four-night module includes three of our favourite sections of hiking, showcasing the varied terrain available along the Shin-Etsu from majestic beech forests in sections 4 and 5, to the wooded paths and marshland of section 2. As part of your hike you'll join an experienced local guide for your first day, giving you the opportunity to learn about the area and the trail, so you'll feel confident setting out on your own for the other two days of hiking. Your accommodation staff will shuttle you to and from the trailheads each day.
In between hiking we've included a rest day in Togarinozawa Onsen, a small town that manages to include ski slopes, hot springs, and farms, all in one place! During your day off at the ryokan inn you can enjoy a farm stay experience and try your hand at making a popular local dish, sasazushi, a type of sushi topped with fresh mountain vegetables, meat or fish, and wrapped in bamboo leaves.
At the end of your trip you'll make your way back to Iiyama which is well-situated on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line, and from there continue on to your next destination.
What's included
- Train travel to Iiyama on day one
- All transport between your accommodation and the trail
- Four breakfasts, three lunches, and four dinners
- Shin-Etsu Trail orientation and maps
- Guided hike of Section 2 (on your first day)
- Luggage forwarding between Iiyama and Togarinozawa Onsen
What's NOT included:
- Lunch on day one after your arrival in Iiyama
Trip Highlights
- Hike three of the best sections of the Shin-Etsu Trail
- Tuck into delicious homegrown food at a family-run inn
- Join an experienced guide for day one of your hike
- Enjoy a day off to experience rural Japanese life
- Relax post-hike in hot spring baths
- Take in panoramic sea and mountain views along the trail
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380
What, where, when and how...
Shin-Etsu Trail Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days
Destinations
Shin-Etsu Trail Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days - Day by Day
Shin-Etsu Trail Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days - Accommodation
Shin-Etsu Trail Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days - Experiences
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Day 1
Set off on your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure.
After arriving in Iiyama by Shinkansen bullet train, you'll head to the information centre where you'll be provided with a thorough orientation of the Shin-Etsu Trail and given the maps you need for your hiking. From there a pre-arranged taxi will drive you 20 minutes up to Madarao Kogen, a ski resort that's popular with powder snow enthusiasts. After dropping your bags and meeting your guide, you'll then be taken by car to the trailhead to start the 10.7km-long Section 2 hike. Section 2 is the gentlest of the six sections and is the best way to ease yourself into the days ahead.
After completing the 6-hour hike, you'll be met by your accommodation staff and transferred back to Madarao Kogen where a relaxing evening awaits.Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel
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Day 2-5
Experience the slower pace of life with a day-off in between hiking.
Day two is the start of your self-guided hike along Section 4. This is the shortest section of the trail but takes around 6 hours to finish due to the fairly steep start up the grassy pass alongside the ski slope. Once you're up on the ridge line it'll be easier going, and at various view points you can enjoy the photo-worthy vistas of the valley and mountains of Nagano Prefecture to your right, and Niigata Prefecture and the Sea of Japan out to the left.
For the next three days your base will be a family-run ryokan inn in Togarinozawa Onsen where you can enjoy delicious homegrown cuisine and relaxing hot spring baths. On day three you'll have a day at leisure in Togarinozawa Onsen where you can get stuck in with farm stay experiences, such as helping with the harvest or making bamboo leaf-wrapped sasazushi.
Then it's time to strap on your hiking boots for your final full day, as you set off for the along 12.4 km-long Section 5. This part of the trail combines forest walks and ridge hiking, and the latter part offers some of our favourite views of the whole trail where you can look back and see the twin peaks of Mount Myoko and Mount Hiuchi in the distance.
On the final morning you'll make your way back to Iiyama Station and then onwards to your next destination.Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan
-
Day 1
Set off on your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure.
After arriving in Iiyama by Shinkansen bullet train, you'll head to the information centre where you'll be provided with a thorough orientation of the Shin-Etsu Trail and given the maps you need for your hiking. From there a pre-arranged taxi will drive you 20 minutes up to Madarao Kogen, a ski resort that's popular with powder snow enthusiasts. After dropping your bags and meeting your guide, you'll then be taken by car to the trailhead to start the 10.7km-long Section 2 hike. Section 2 is the gentlest of the six sections and is the best way to ease yourself into the days ahead.
After completing the 6-hour hike, you'll be met by your accommodation staff and transferred back to Madarao Kogen where a relaxing evening awaits.Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel
-
Day 2-5
Experience the slower pace of life with a day-off in between hiking.
Day two is the start of your self-guided hike along Section 4. This is the shortest section of the trail but takes around 6 hours to finish due to the fairly steep start up the grassy pass alongside the ski slope. Once you're up on the ridge line it'll be easier going, and at various view points you can enjoy the photo-worthy vistas of the valley and mountains of Nagano Prefecture to your right, and Niigata Prefecture and the Sea of Japan out to the left.
For the next three days your base will be a family-run ryokan inn in Togarinozawa Onsen where you can enjoy delicious homegrown cuisine and relaxing hot spring baths. On day three you'll have a day at leisure in Togarinozawa Onsen where you can get stuck in with farm stay experiences, such as helping with the harvest or making bamboo leaf-wrapped sasazushi.
Then it's time to strap on your hiking boots for your final full day, as you set off for the along 12.4 km-long Section 5. This part of the trail combines forest walks and ridge hiking, and the latter part offers some of our favourite views of the whole trail where you can look back and see the twin peaks of Mount Myoko and Mount Hiuchi in the distance.
On the final morning you'll make your way back to Iiyama Station and then onwards to your next destination.Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan
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