The Best Hiking Trails in Wakayama (Japan)

Yunomine Onsen - Kumano Hongū Taisha Grand Shrine (Kumano Kodo)

Hiking

Save to a List

JulioCésar

Distance

1.71mi

Elevation +

846f

TrailRank

71| 5.0

View more photos

This is a one way walk starting in Yunomine Onsen and finishing at the Hongū Taisha Grand Shrine. You can then take the bus back to Yunomine Onsen (or walk back). The bus stop is near the entrance to the Shrine, just on ...

View trail

Kumano Kodo Nakahechi #1

Hiking

Save to a List

Os Pés do Caminho

Distance

9.62mi

Elevation +

4052f

TrailRank

70

View more photos

To complete one of the branches of Kumano Kodo and achieve the Dual Pilgrim status was one of the goals of my trip to Japan. This first stage was much tougher than anticipated... The progress is really slow. The trail is...

View trail

Ukegawa - Koguchi (Kumano Kodo)

Hiking

Save to a List

JulioCésar

Distance

7.80mi

Elevation +

2549f

TrailRank

70| 5.0

View more photos

As usual in Kumano Kodo, the trail starts in a village (Ukegawa) with a long uphill walk through an old forest. Signs are very clear and it is improbable that you will get lost. During our uphill walk we saw, among other...

View trail

Kumano Kodo Nakaheshi #2

Hiking

Save to a List

Os Pés do Caminho

Distance

11.32mi

Elevation +

2703f

TrailRank

69

View more photos

To complete one of the branches of Kumano Kodo and achieve the Dual Pilgrim status was one of the goals of my trip to Japan. This second section was much easier than the first, although it is still very much a trek in m...

View trail

Kōyasan

Hiking

Save to a List

Os Pés do Caminho

Distance

8.62mi

Elevation +

892f

TrailRank

68

View more photos

Trail along the main attractions of Kōyasan. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html You must not miss the Tokugawa mausoleum, the Okonoin cementery with its temple and the Kongobujin temple with its rock garden. The ...

View trail

Kumano-kodo, day 1: Nachi-san to Jizo-jaya Teahouse incl. Gyugi Waterfall

Hiking

Save to a List

Heinrich Rotkiefer

Distance

6.36mi

Elevation +

2477f

TrailRank

67

View more photos

Despite the shrines and temples actually a very boring trail to my mind: many stairs, monoton path through the (I think man made) cedar forest; the highlights were definitely the beautiful waterfall and the atmospheric a...

View trail

Koguchi - Nachi Taisha (Kumano Kodo, Ogumotori-goe section)

Hiking

Save to a List

JulioCésar

with

Distance

8.89mi

Elevation +

4016f

TrailRank

67| 4.67

View more photos

This part of Kumano Kodo was the most strenuous of the three we did (the others were: from Yunomine Onsen to Kumano Hongu Taisha, and from Ukegawa to Koguchi). It starts in the village of Koguchi, no far from the conveni...

View trail

Kumano-kodo, day 2+3: Jiza-Chaya to Hongu via Koguchi

Hiking

Save to a List

Heinrich Rotkiefer

Distance

14.98mi

Elevation +

2431f

TrailRank

64

View more photos

Not my favorite, and therefore, not my recommendation: trail quite boring, nothing to see, not even historical ruins, just signs with some explanations; until Koguchi almost only monoculture cedar forest with many cut or...

View trail

Chikatsuyu - Hongū

Hiking

Save to a List

thegreathouse19

Distance

16.07mi

Elevation +

3412f

TrailRank

56

View more photos

Day 3. Extremely challenging day but well worth the effort. Going for Dual Pilgrimage (Camino de Santiago) so every uphill step (thousands of them) and downhill toe killing step (thousands of them) will be worth the sp...

View trail

Okunoin by night

Hiking

Save to a List

Os Pés do Caminho

Distance

2.45mi

Elevation +

108f

TrailRank

53

View more photos

Night walk through the Okunoin... Eery... Feeric... Really worth doing after a temple dinner, with or without guide... Even if you done it by day it will look completely different by night light.

View trail

Kumano Kodo

Hiking

Save to a List

Jakub W

Distance

4.61mi

Elevation +

1234f

TrailRank

53

View more photos

This trail is a part of the Kumano Kodo route. We took a bus from Hongu to Hosshinmon-oji, where we started our walk. First the trail goes down to a stream, then uphill, and on a mountain ridge where sometimes you ...

View trail

Koguchi-Kumano Nachi Taisha

Hiking

Save to a List

thegreathouse19

Distance

11.44mi

Elevation +

3757f

TrailRank

52

View more photos

Very challenging hike. Not recommended if you have knee issues. Don’t be fooled by the kms. This one of the toughest sections of the Nakahechi section and a big day’s walk so I’d recommend an early start as you begin wit...

View trail

Koyasan

Hiking

Save to a List

Jakub W

Distance

8.75mi

Elevation +

2516f

TrailRank

52

View more photos

The trail starts around the Garan complex, the you go through the town of Koyasan to the cemetery of Okuno-in. Back from the cemetery, instead of going back to the town, you turn right to reach the summit of Tenjikusa...

View trail

Kohechi - Day 1 (Koyasan to Miuraguchi)

Hiking

Save to a List

sumich04

Distance

22.36mi

Elevation +

6860f

TrailRank

49

View more photos

It is recommended to do this over two days but one was fine albeit with a very early start. We spent an hour at the obake peak chilling before arriving at our minshyuku ay about 3.30pm. Lots of snow due to the cold patch...

View trail

Hongu/Ukegawa - Koguchi

Hiking

Save to a List

thegreathouse19

Distance

9.76mi

Elevation +

1965f

TrailRank

39

View more photos

Day 4. Hongu/Ukegawa to Koguchi. Transport from Kawayu Onsen to the Ukegawa trailhead (5mins). Possible to walk but on busy road (not recommended). The Kogumotori-goe section is a fairly gentle trek with a climb and des...

View trail

Kumano Kodo: Yunomine Onsen - Tsugizakura Oji - Kumano Hongu Taisha

Hiking

Save to a List

dani tomate

Distance

9.07mi

Elevation +

1450f

TrailRank

39

View more photos

Zailtasunik gabeko bidea. Oso gustura egiten da lehenengo zatia, zuhaitzen artean, Hongu Tahisan Torii erraldoia ikusgarria da. An easy trail. The first part is a very nice walk in the forest. The Giant Torii in Hongu...

View trail

Pilgrimage trail from kudyoma station to Damon gate

Hiking

Save to a List

Gasiltock

Distance

12.40mi

Elevation +

3320f

TrailRank

38

View more photos

Pilgrimage trail from kudyoma station to Damon gate It is a nice well-developed trail, however it can get quite crowded! There seems to be a lot of tours that start from near the end of the trail so you might run into a...

View trail

Choishi Michi trail

Hiking

Save to a List

Hikante

Distance

16.92mi

Elevation +

3593f

TrailRank

36

View more photos

From Kudoyama to Kōya. When I did the hike, there were some minor landslides and fallen trees due to a typhoon happening some months earlier. Despite the path is officially closed due to that, is perfectly doable witho...

View trail

Kumano Kodo: Ukegawa to Koguchi

Hiking

Save to a List

lluagor

Distance

8.78mi

Elevation +

2641f

TrailRank

35

View more photos

Part of Path to Nachi

View trail

Ago-no-Watashi to Susami

Hiking

Save to a List

maarten krol

Distance

6.94mi

Elevation +

1243f

TrailRank

34

View more photos

Along the Hotoke-zaka beautiful route that starts with a river crossing. (0739-530194 for reservation 500 yen pp) and a climb in a silent forest. Last part along a road. End at Susami station. Arrange ferry and taxi fro...

View trail

Kumano Kodo Takijiri-oji to Chikatsuyu-oji

Hiking

Save to a List

jkavandijk

Distance

12.81mi

Elevation +

3629f

TrailRank

34

View more photos

This is something you have to have done once in your life if you take hiking and trailing seriously! Words can not discribe!

View trail

Wakayama-Osaka Don't go off the trail

Hiking

Save to a List

Gasiltock

Distance

12.84mi

Elevation +

2438f

TrailRank

31

View more photos

This trail goes across the mountains in between Wakayama and Osaka. It starts and at the train stop from Wakayama and ends at train stop in the outskirts of Osaka which can be used to return to the starting point. There ...

View trail

Kumano Kodo #1 (2024) - Takijiri-oji - Hishohara-oji

Hiking

Save to a List

DonUber

Distance

11.73mi

Elevation +

4409f

TrailRank

30

View more photos

First part of Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Excellent path and sign posting. Different places to buy something to drink and eat alond the way. Starting point (Takijiri) can be reached by bus from Kii-Tanabe station, free...

View trail