NEWS: Approximately 350km! Ibaraki Prefecture North Long Trail Project underway
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
A long trail stretching approximately 350km across six cities and towns in northern Ibaraki Prefecture
The Northern Ibaraki Long Trail Project is an initiative to create one of Japan's leading long trails that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from backpackers on thru-hikes and athletes on trail runs to families taking it on the weekend. The project aims to connect numerous satoyama and tourist destinations, develop a long trail that will allow people to enjoy the entire northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, and create a system that will continue to promote the deep nature of the satoyama and the charm of the region
If you are interested, please join the volunteer team!
The deep mountains of northern Ibaraki Prefecture
Activity details
- Setting up a long trail course (field surveys, monitoring events, and course planning)
- Continuous maintenance of long trail courses (course development and map creation)
- Revitalizing the region through long trail courses
Characteristics of the Northern Prefectural Long Trail
Satoyama Long Trail: The Ibaraki Northern Long Trail connects the rich nature and local resources of the northern part of the prefecture, allowing you to take a leisurely walk through the Satoyama, the border between humans and nature. It has the valuable feature of allowing you to experience Japan's unspoiled landscape, which is not found on other long trails that tend to be concentrated in mountainous areas
A trail created by local volunteers...The "Northern Ibaraki Long Trail Cooperation Team" has been formed, a coalition of volunteers who are familiar with the trail conditions in northern Ibaraki Prefecture and who agree to continuously develop the region together with its rich environmental resources.This will enable us to look forward to voluntary, sustainable, and community-based trail conservation activities
An environmental trail that combines maintenance and conservation: Properly maintaining the trail will help prevent the rich forest resources from being left unattended and destroyed.As an environmental trail that aims for sustainable development, it can be a cutting-edge initiative nationwide
Northern Ken Long Trail course image
Course Overview
A tentative course has been drawn up: Hitachi - Hitachiota - Hitachiomiya - Daigo - Hitachiota - Kitaibaraki - Takahagi - Hitachi. This varied course will take in all six cities and towns in the northern part of the prefecture, allowing visitors to enjoy the long journey at their own pace while stopping off at famous places, historical sites, and scenic views. The total distance is expected to be approximately 350 km
Area Concept
- The northern and southern areas of the prefecture: "Rural and rural landscapes - an area that explores the Satoyama area beloved by locals"
- Northwestern Ibaraki Area: "Ibaraki's highest peak trail area around the prefectural border"
- Okukuji Area: "Okukuji Trail Area: Visiting Waterfalls, Suspension Bridges, and Shrines"
- Northeastern area of the prefecture: "Visit valleys and mountain villages to the coast, unexplored areas and seafood areas"
- Northeastern Area of the Prefecture: "Exploring the Views and History of the Southern Abukuma Mountains"
Northern Ibaraki Long Trail Project Official Website
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