Ridge line linking the eastern shrines. Technical roots, big views, brutal descent.
Ridge line linking the eastern shrines. Trail shoes with real lugs are mandatory; road shoes will put you on the floor inside 2 km.
Start at the Kiyomizu-dera lower gate and climb the stone steps east — 180 m of vertical in the first kilometre. Walk it.
≈ 3.1 kmJoin the ridge trail at 1.4 km. Roots and wet rock; this section is technical enough to demand your attention, not your pace.
≈ 6.2 kmFollow the ridge north for 6 km through cedar. Continuous shade, continuous undulation, roughly 40 m up and down every kilometre.
≈ 9.2 kmShrine junction at 8.2 km — water and a vending machine, the only resupply on the loop.
≈ 12.3 kmThe big climb runs 9 km to 12 km, gaining 480 m. Steady, runnable, and where the route earns its Hard rating.
≈ 15.4 kmHigh point at 12.4 km. On a clear morning the whole Kyoto basin is below you; in fog you will see about 20 metres.
≈ 18.5 kmDescend the eastern flank for 5 km. Steep, loose and relentless — this is what cooks your quads, not the climb.
≈ 21.5 kmRejoin the valley path at 18 km and follow the river back south to the gate. Flat, fast, and a merciful way to finish.
≈ 24.6 kmNo segments on this route yet.
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