[Southern Alps] Arakawa Sanzan Traverse | Torikura -> Senmaidake -> Denjuto Pass 43km, over 4,000m cumulative elevation gain long trek

I love walking for a long time on quiet ridgelines.

This time, I walked in the southern part of the Southern Alps.
I entered from Torikura, crossed the Arakawa Sanzan, went to Senmaidake, and then to Denjuto Pass.

A long ridgeline and a tense descent waiting at the end.
It was a 3-day trip that was "not easy, but makes me want to walk it again."

Introduction

The southern part of the Southern Alps is an area with long, quiet ridgelines.

The route I walked this time was
entering from Torikura Trailhead to Sanpuku Pass, then through Okochidake and Arakawa Sanzan to Senmaidake.
The final day was a traverse route crossing Denjuto Pass and descending to Hosono.

In this article,

・Route conditions for the Arakawa Sanzan traverse
・Physical strength distribution and difficult sections I actually experienced
・Points to note for the Denjuto Pass descent

are summarized.

I hope this will be helpful for those considering a long traverse.

Mountain Trip Overview

Mountain Names: Arakawa Sanzan (Maedake, Nakadake, Warusawadake), Okochidake, Senmaidake
Mountain Area: Southern Southern Alps
Dates: July 22-24, 2022
Weather: Sunny/Cloudy

Course:
Day 1
Torikura Trailhead -> Sanpuku Pass (Stay)

Day 2
Sanpuku Pass -> Okochidake -> Itayadake -> Takayamaura Emergency Hut
-> Arakawa Maedake -> Arakawa Nakadake -> Warusawadake -> Senmaidake -> Senmai Hut (Stay)

Day 3
Senmai Hut -> Manbo Ridge -> Niken-goya -> Denjuto Pass -> Hosono

Distance: 43.0km
Cumulative Elevation: +4048m / -5315m
Activity Time: Approx. 18 hours

Physical Difficulty: ★★★★★ (For experienced long-distance hikers)
Comparison with Standard CT: 18:14 vs. standard 28:17 (approx. 64%)

Overall Course Map

A traverse route entering from Torikura Trailhead to Sanpuku Pass, heading south along the prefectural border ridge to Arakawa Sanzan, passing through Senmai Hut, and descending from Niken-goya over Denjuto Pass to Hosono.

Reason for choosing this mountain

This mountain trip was decided at the last minute after checking the weekend weather.

It was a section I had planned to hike this year, so I decided, "I'll go when the thought strikes me."

I had been interested in this area for a long time, as it features a long, quiet ridgeline even within the Southern Alps.
I had been interested in this area for a long time, as it features a long, quiet ridgeline even within the Southern Alps.

Course overview and impressions

Torikura Trailhead to Sanpuku Pass (Day 1)

Travel took time, so I started in the afternoon.
I camped at Sanpuku Pass after a short hike.

With the atmosphere of a forest zone typical of the Southern Alps, this section felt like the "entrance" to the traverse that was about to begin.

Sanpuku Pass to Ogochidake to Takayama-ura (First half of Day 2)

Started early in the morning.

It was foggy from Eboshidake to Maeo-gochidake, but the sky cleared up completely just as I arrived at Ogochidake.

The view from here was overwhelming and was one of the highlights of this trip.

Beyond the long ridgeline, I could see the Arakawa Sanzan mountains I was heading toward.

Takayama-ura to Maedake (Core section)

The climb back up from Takayama-ura Emergency Hut to Maedake is the crux of this route.

・Steep incline
・Includes sections with steep drop-offs on one side

This section drained more energy than I had imagined.

It is important not to push yourself here and to be mindful of your pacing.

Arakawa Sanzan to Senmaidake (Second half of Day 2)

Once you cross Maedake, you reach the main ridgeline of the Southern Alps.

However, it doesn't get any easier, and the climb back up from Arakawa Nakadake to Warusawadake is quite strenuous.

There are rocky sections from Warusawadake to Senmaidake, so you need to be careful with your footing when fatigued.

Senmai Hut to Dentsuke Pass (Day 3)

The sea of clouds and Mt. Fuji in the morning were impressive.

The descent goes through the Manbo Ridge and Niken-goya to Dentsuke Pass.

Dentsuke Pass to Torikura (Cautionary section)

The most critical point of this route.

・Precarious traverses
・Slippery along the mountain stream
・Ropes and ladders present
・Sections with unclear routes

The difficulty increases because you reach this on the final day when your energy is depleted.

Honestly, this was a section I felt I would prefer to use for an ascent next time.

Course conditions and points of caution

・Before Maedake
Ridge with a collapsed side (beware of falling)

・Warusawadake to Senmaidake
Rocky areas, beware of slipping

・Upper Manbo Ridge
Collapsed sections present, rope assistance available

・Dentsuke Pass to descent route
Continuous traverses, mountain streams, and steep slopes
Sections with unclear routes

👉 For those experienced with long traverses

*As of July 2022

Related Articles

I have compiled a list of traverse routes in the Southern Alps that I personally enjoyed walking.
Including this route, I introduce quiet ridgelines and grand traverses to be savored over two or more nights.

▶ 5 Southern Alps traverse routes I enjoyed walking | Introducing quiet ridgelines and grand traverses based on my own experience

Reflections

Long ridgelines, repeated climbs, and the final descent.

It is not an easy route, but
it was a traverse where I could truly feel the "depth" of the Southern Alps.

I would like to find another opportunity
to connect it with other routes and walk it again.

Conclusion

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

Rather than flashy mountains,
I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and hikes that require reading the conditions.

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

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

Until next time, with a record of another mountain.