Earth Hostel Nikko · Trail Guide
Hiking
Nikko
Japan
From one-hour valley walks to two-day summit expeditions — all trails accessible from our base in the mountains of Nikko.
26
Trails listed
4
Difficulty grades
1 hr
Min. hike time
Full day
Max. hike time
Scroll to explore
// Your base on the river
Earth Hostel
Nikko Riverhouse
Every trail on this page is reachable from our hostel in Okorogawa village, in the mountains of Nikko. We run a free shuttle to JR and Tobu-Nikko Station each morning. No curfew means early alpine starts are never a problem. The river is right outside the door for when you get back.
- Free shuttle out to Nikko Station 6–10 AM — evening pickups bring you back
- No curfew — come back from the trail, share dinner, stay up late
- 20 minutes to 1 hour from most trailheads by bus from Nikko Station
- Private group shuttle — we can drop you at one trailhead and collect you at another, so point-to-point hikes that buses can’t do become easy. See our tours & shuttle
- Swim in the Kurokawa River — mornings before the trail or when you get back
- Open spring to late autumn — peak hiking season
// Check availability & book
Direct booking — no commission, no middleman. Check-in from 4 PM · Check-out by 10 AM.
// Difficulty scale
Grade
I
1 – 2 hours
Short, accessible walks. Suitable for all fitness levels.
Grade
II
Half day
Moderate trail with some elevation. Basic fitness needed.
Grade
III
Half day
Longer route with varied terrain. Good fitness required.
Grade
IV
Full day
Challenging full-day routes. Experience recommended. Some can be extended into an overnight with a free mountain-hut stay.
I
01
Toyama / Sotoyama
4.3 km2 hr
02
Lake Yu (Yunoko)
3.0 km1 hr
03
Onsen Temple
1.0 km1 hr
04
Takino Path / Shiraito Waterfall
Coming soon
II
III
01
Senjogahara
6.3 km2.5–5 hr
02
Odashirogahara
7.2 km2.5 hr
03
Lake Sai (Sainoko)
7.0 km+3 hr
05
Mt. Hangetsu
~5 hr
06
Takayama
IV
01
Nantai Mountain
5 km6.5 hr
02
Lake Kirikomi / Lake Karikomi
9.7 km4.5 hr
03
Lake Chuzenji Circuit — Sec. 1
~4 hr
04
Lake Chuzenji Circuit — Sec. 2
12.6 km5 hr
05
Shirane Mountain
8.5 hr
07
Nantai Mountain — Northern Route
~7 hr
08
Nyoho Mountain
~8 hr
Trail maps
// Free PDF downloads