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You’re come at the right season wearing the gears i recommended. So what can you expect?

From the foot to the 7th stage

The Sounkyo-Kurodake Ropeway: it all begins here.

There is a rooftop observatory at the 5th stage. From there you have majestic views across the entire Sounkyo Gorge. There is also a small convenience store here selling sourvenirs and drinks. Apparently you can also rent skiing equipment here.

From the 5th stage, you can choose to hike to the 7th stage (50 mins) at 1,520m (don’t ask me where the 6th stage is). If you don’t want to climb to the summit, this is probably a good, easier alternative.

On the other hand if you want to go all the way, i suggest you conserve your energy here and take the chair lift (15 mins ride at JPY 600 for adult and JPY 400 for child).

For both the cable car and chair lift, there are discounted rates for disabled people or if you’re travelling as part of a group of 10 or more. Operating hours for both differ from month to month – check with them before you go up and give yourself sufficient time to get up and down.

From the 7th stage to the summit

The chair lift will bring you to the 7th stage. Once out of the station, look left and you’ll see the lodge house. This is the place where you leave your name and contact number before the actual climb.

Behind the lodge, the muddy path zigzags up the mountain all the way to the summit. From here, it took us 1.5 hrs to climb up the vertical height of 464m.

If you make it all the way here, i’d say give it a go. If you don’t feel up to it at any point, you can always turn around.

At the summit, there could be fogs. If that happens, don’t get discouraged because the fogs disappear as suddenly as they come. Just hang around and most likely then not, you’ll be rewarded with great views across the mountains.

The way down is much easier but as i said earlier, much more punishing on your knees and ankles. You’re more likely to slip and hurt yourself so go slow.

We had left the foot of the mountain via cable car at 920am and returned at about 230pm.

This is my 4th and final post on Mt Kurodake. I hope i’ve interest you enough to want to give it a go if you’re ever in Hokkaido.

In my next post, i’ll review the Hotel Northern Lodge and share with you the superb service we experienced there.