[Southern Alps Deep South] A day to fully experience a 'not-too-long Deep South' loop around Mt. Fudo

For the first time in a while, I took a break from race training and headed to the Deep South.

This time, with the theme of
a 'not-too-long Deep South', I went on a
loop around Mt. Fudo with a hiking friend.

I can say it's 'not too long' now, but
I think it's generally a pretty tough area.

When I first started hiking,
I didn't know where or how to walk, and it was a mountain that troubled me—
that was the Deep South.

Even so—
It's hard, but I love every bit of it.
It was the perfect day, filled with silence and deep mountains, where I could feel with my whole body, 'Ah, I've come to the Deep South.'

The course I walked is here

Overview and Itinerary Data

• Date: November 29, 2025 (Sat)

• Area: Shizuoka

• Mountain Range: Mt. Fudo, Mt. Kamakuzure, Mt. Rokuroba, Mt. Yahazu

• Distance: 26.3km

• Cumulative Elevation: Ascent 2541m / Descent 2539m

• Activity Time: 10 hours 44 minutes (1 hour 8 minutes rest)

• Course Difficulty Rating: Standard 16:39 (Perceived: Hard)

Access and Starting Point

• Forest Road Tochu Line Parking Lot
  https://goo.gl/maps/KdmFXAYUFmzNDfW98

I left the parking lot after it got bright and walked along the forest road to the gate.

To Mt. Yahazu | Deep South Quality from the start

Starting with a steep climb that makes you laugh, thinking, 'We're climbing from here?'

Right from the start,
a steep climb that easily surpasses the so-called 'Three Great Steep Climbs'.

With the feeling that the path I walked is becoming the trail itself,
I climb desperately while buried in bamboo grass as tall as myself.

When I suddenly look back,
Kurosawa-yama, Nakanoone-yama, Achi-yama—
a line of famous peaks in the Deep South appears.

Yahazu-yama (South Peak) is wide and pleasant,
so I take a break here.
The bread I had was delicious.

Around Rokuroba-yama | A ridge with extraordinary ups and downs

The area around Rokuroba-yama continues with the ups and downs typical of the Deep South

When I saw the Rokuroba Junction,
I was happy to finally be on the ridge line.

On the ridge line, there are

• knob-like terrain

• narrow ridges

• extraordinary ups and downs

You need to be careful not to take the wrong direction at each peak,
but generally, following the ridge line is fine.

Every time we see Gacchi (Achi-yama),
we share the joy by saying 'Nice,' 'That's great,'
and that kind of time continues.

To Mt. Fudo | Bamboo thickets and the reward beyond

Finally, the bamboo grass typical of the Deep South makes its appearance

The ridge line from before Shikanodaira to Mt. Fudo is a bamboo grass section.

It felt
a bit tougher than the bamboo grass around Mt. Kuroboshi,
but the deep sections themselves are relatively short.

Climbing while buried in bamboo grass,
I look back to see Kurosawa-yama looking large.

The trail becomes unclear at the end,
and the 'final push' is where you have to dig deep.

And then—

The moment I stepped onto the ridgeline, the world opened up all at once

Fudodake Summit | The best view in 3 years

Fudodake for the first time in 3 years. It was the best view I've ever had.

Note: Actually, three years ago on this route, it was so foggy I could see almost nothing.

Here is the record from when I walked the same course back then👇
▶︎ [Fudodake Loop walked with faulty GPS | 28km, 3,000m cumulative elevation gain]

Kurosawayama, Naka-no-one-yama, Ikeguchidake, Tekaridake.
The best scenery, overlooking the very depths of the Deep South.

Having
leisurely cup noodlesright below the summit was also the best.

As I was eating the dessert given to me by my hiking friend,
Naka-no-one-yama also revealed itself.

Note: There is also a route to climb Fudodake from the 'East Ridge',
the core route of the Deep South.

▶︎ Round trip to Fudodake East Ridge from Sumatakyo | 41km, 5,130m cumulative elevation gain

Shikanodaira / Kamakuzuredake | A reluctant descent

The ridgeline leading to Shikanodaira is also full of the Deep South's unique character

Last time it was completely fogged over at Shironodaira,
this time it was Shikanodaira.

Wandering around while looking for signs is also
part of the fun unique to this place.

Taking a detour to Kamakuzuredake,
and while gazing at Kamanagi and Marubondake,
it was a descent where I kept looking back again and again.

Descent | Quietly and safely to the goal

The descent path is the main route of Fudodake.
There were more markers than on the ascent.

I passed through fallen tree areas and landslide zones
thanks to the red tape and auxiliary ropes.

I reached the forest road before it got dark,
and returned safely to the parking area.

Reflections

Quietness and the depth of the mountains.
Even though it's tough, for some reason, my heart feels fulfilled.

It was a day that made me feel once again,
that this is what the Deep South is all about.

Thank you for another wonderful time.

By the way, I have walked this route before, amidst fog and GPS malfunctions.

Although the mountain trip was in completely different conditions than this time,
the essence of the Deep South was actually more pronounced back then.

▶︎ [Fudodake Loop walked without GPS]

Reference link

A day in the Deep South that was only possible to walk because of the snow.
I have summarized the details here.

▶︎ [Nakanoone-yama | 27km round trip during the lingering snow season when the bamboo grass disappears]

▶︎Click here for the core route record of the Fudodake East Ridge

▶︎ Click here for a 3-day, 2-night grand loop walking the Deep South thoroughly | Sumatakyo to Kuroboshidake Loop

Conclusion

I love the time spent walking along quiet ridgelines for a long time.

Focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka,
I hike every weekend.

In this NOTE,

・Mountain trip records
・Mountains of Shizuoka
・Long ridgeline routes

are what I mainly write about.

▶ Mountain trip record summary
Magazine 'One Mountain at a Time, Mountain Trip Records'

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

See you next time with a record of another mountain.