[Northern Alps] A Grand Loop of the Northern Alps including the Yomiuri Shin-do Trail | 4-day, 3-night traverse starting from Oritate

When I departed from Oritate,
I could not yet accurately imagine the intensity of the four days that awaited me.

Introduction

A grand loop of the Northern Alps starting from Oritate,
passing through Taro-daira, Mt. Yakushi, and Kumonodaira,
and choosing the Yomiuri Shin-do trail for the descent.

The weather was by no means stable,
but because of that, it became a mountain trip where I strongly felt the depth of the mountain range and the weight of route decision-making.

This time it was 4 days and 3 nights.
I have compiled a record of the walk, with a focus on photos,
prioritizing 'not pushing myself' above all else.

Mountain Trip Overview

• Dates: August 13 (Wed) - 16 (Sat), 2025

• Mountain Area: Northern Alps

• Start/End Point: Oritate

• Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

• Style: Traverse (Tent stay + Mountain hut stay)

• Main waypoints:
  Taro-daira Hut / Mt. Yakushi / Sugo-nokkoshi
  Goshiki-ga-hara / Hirano Hut / Oku-Kurobe Hut
  Yomiuri Shin-do / Mt. Akaushi / Mt. Suisho
  Mt. Ojii / Kurobe River Headwaters / Mitsumata Sanso
  Mt. Kurobegoro / Mt. Kitanomata

Overall Route Map

Day 1 | Oritate → Taro-daira → Mt. Yakushi → Sugo-nokkoshi

Weather: Cloudy → Foggy → Cloudy

From Oritate to Taro-daira,
it is a section with a long, steady climb.

Under a cloudy sky, I calmly gained altitude.

From Taro-daira to Mt. Yakushi.
The mist gradually thickened, limiting visibility.

By the time I crossed Mt. Yakushi and headed toward Sugonokoshi,
the sky began to brighten again.

I stayed in a tent at Sugonokoshi Hut that day.
It was a long distance for the first day, so it was a night to get some solid rest.

Day 2 | Sugonokoshi → Goshikigahara → Hirano Hut → Oku-Kurobe

Weather: Mist → Sunny

It was misty when I started.
I proceeded carefully toward Goshikigahara.

By the time I reached Goshikigahara, the blue sky had spread out,
and it turned into a pleasant ridge walk.

After descending to Hirano Hut,
I used the Taira Ferry (3rd service) to cross Lake Kurobe.

A day with many changes in the itinerary.
The mental shift left a stronger impression than the physical exertion.

Day 3 | Yomiuri Shin-do → Mt. Akagushi → Mt. Suisho → Mitsumata

Weather: Sunny → Cloudy

Yomiuri Shin-do is long in both distance and elevation gain,
requiring intense concentration.

As you approach Mt. Akaushi, the view opens up,
revealing scenery typical of the deep Northern Alps.

▶ Click here for the 'other traverse route' walked from Mt. Akaushi to Takamagahara

After passing Iwakoya-nokkoshi,
I made a round trip to Mt. Ojii.

After that, I passed through the Kurobe River headwaters to Mitsumata Sanso.
I camped in a tent that night.

Day 4 | Mitsumata → Mt. Kurobegoro → Taro-daira → Oritate

Weather: Cloudy, occasionally sunny

I bypassed Mt. Mitsumata-renge,
and headed to Mt. Kurobegoro via the cirque course.

After that, I returned to Taro-daira via Mt. Kitanomata.

After finishing the long journey,
I returned to the starting point.

Reflection

• Adapting to weather changes

• Pacing management for the length of the itinerary

• Maintaining concentration on the Yomiuri Shin-do

It was a mountain trip that demanded everything.

On the other hand, it was also a very dense four days where I could truly feel the connection between the mountain areas.

▶ Click here for another route connecting Kumonodaira, Takamagahara, and Mt. Akaushi

This route is one of the five Northern Alps courses that I personally enjoyed walking.

From scenic traverses to rocky ridge routes and mountain journeys into the deepest parts of the Northern Alps, I introduce them based on my actual experiences.

▶ 5 Northern Alps courses I enjoyed walking | Introducing scenic, rocky, and deep mountain experiences

Conclusion

The Great Northern Alps Loop is not just "long"; it is a route where every day's decisions accumulate.

That is precisely why the time spent taking each step became a mountain trip that remains strongly in my memory.

I walk the ridgelines every weekend, focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka.

I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and mountain trips that require reading conditions over flashy ones.

▶ Magazine "One Mountain at a Time, Mountain Trip Records"

If you like mountains, I would be happy if you followed me.

Until the next mountain record.