[Central Alps] Day-trip traverse of Mt. Kisokoma - Mt. Hoken - Mt. Sannosawa from Kogara Trailhead | A day of chain sections, flower fields, and ptarmigans

Traversing from Mt. Kisokoma in the Central Alps, over Mt. Hoken, to Mt. Sannosawa. A 23km day-trip hike starting from the Kogara Trailhead. I have compiled detailed information on the difficulty of the chain sections, trail conditions, flower fields, and ptarmigan sightings.

Introduction

Mt. Kisokoma is a popular 100 Famous Mountain that represents the Central Alps.
While most people use the ropeway, this time I climbed under my own power from the Kogara Trailhead, crossed Mt. Hoken, and completed a day-trip traverse to Mt. Sannosawa.

Steep climbs through quiet forests, rocky ridge chain sections, and ridgelines blooming with alpine plants.
It was a diverse course that changed its character with every step.

In this article, based on the route I actually walked, I have summarized the trail conditions, difficulty, the state of the chain sections, and the blooming status of the flowers.

I hope this will be helpful for those considering the Kogara Trailhead route.

Overall Course Map

The entire route I walked this time. A day-trip traverse course from Kogara Trailhead via Mt. Mugikusa and Mt. Kiso-Mae to Mt. Kisokoma, round-trip to Mt. Sannosawa over Mt. Hoken, and descending via the Fukushima B Course.

Hiking Overview

Mountain Name:Mt. Kisokoma / Mt. Hoken / Mt. Sannosawa
Mountain Range/Area:Central Alps
Date:July 12, 2025
Weather:Sunny

Course:Kogara Trailhead - Mt. Mugikusa - Mt. Kiso-Mae - Mt. Kisokoma - Mt. Hoken - Round-trip to Mt. Sannosawa - Descent via Fukushima B Course

Distance:23.4km
Cumulative Elevation Gain:2,628m
Activity Time:13 hours 37 minutes

Reasons for choosing this mountain

・Good weather forecast for the weekend
・Wanted to walk the quiet Central Alps without using the ropeway
・Wanted to see the flower fields of Mt. Sannosawa
・A long day-trip to check my physical fitness

Course conditions and impressions

Kogara Trailhead to Mt. Mugikusa

The beginning starts with a forest road walk and a stream crossing.
After that, it is a steep climb through a forest zone.

Once you pass the 7th Station emergency hut, the view gradually opens up,
and Mt. Ontake, Mt. Norikura, Mt. Yari, and the Hotaka mountain range appeared.

It is a section where you gain elevation much faster than expected, and it consumes a significant amount of physical energy.

*The toilet at the 7th Station Emergency Shelter may not have running water.

Mt. Mugikusadake - Mt. Kisomaedake - Mt. Kisokomagatake

Beyond Mt. Mugikusadake, the terrain becomes increasingly rocky with more scree.

There are ladders and rope assists, and
some sections involve traverses with steep drop-offs on the left.

It is somewhat overgrown, and my shoes got soaked from the morning dew.

A different world from the Mt. Kisokomagatake reached by ropeway.

A quiet and wild Central Alps.

Mt. Kisokomagatake

Once you pass Mt. Kisomaedake, the walking becomes much easier.

Mt. Kisokomagatake is a well-maintained public trail.

It gets busy as you merge with the ropeway crowd.

Even so,
the real challenge starts here.

Mt. Hoken

To get to Mt. Sannosawadake,
you must cross Mt. Hoken.

• Near-vertical chain section

• Narrow traverse

• Congestion occurs

Crossing it on the way there and back.

Honestly, it makes me nervous.

But looking back at Mt. Hoken, it is truly magnificent.

*Helmet recommended level

Mt. Sannosawa

Descending sharply from Mt. Hoken, then climbing back up from there.

Descending over 300m in elevation, then climbing back up over 200m.

There are peaks along the way, so it feels like more than that.

But.

The flower fields of Mt. Sannosawa were wonderful.

• Anemone narcissiflora

• Trollius japonicus

• Dactylorhiza aristata

And a ptarmigan family.

The chicks waddling along.

The number of people around Mt. Kisokoma has really increased.

Descent

Crossing Mt. Hoken again, and descending via the Fukushima B course bypass.

The final part involves a river crossing and walking along a forest road.

A hike exceeding 13 hours.

Trying to connect to Mt. Shogi-kashira was...
a bit too greedy (laughs).

Course Summary

✔ The Kogara trailhead is quiet and nice
✔ The section from Mugikusa to Kiso-mae is surprisingly the crux
✔ Mt. Hoken is a tense section
✔ Mt. Sannosawa has the best flowers and views
✔ More than enough for a day trip

A day of "properly hiking" the Central Alps.

Mt. Kisokoma without using the ropeway
was a completely different mountain.

Quiet forests, rocky ridges, flower fields, and ptarmigans.
A day packed with the charm of the Central Alps.

Honestly, it's tough, but
it's the best course for those who "want to hike properly."

I would like to hike it again in a different season.

Conclusion

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

Rather than flashy mountains,
I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and hikes where I have to read the conditions.

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

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

See you in the next mountain log.