おすすめ
〜 Strolling spots 〜

Mt. Kotengu trailhead

A 765-m-high peak that rises southwest of Lake Sapporo, a body of water created by the Jozankei Dam, which stems the flow of the Otarunai River. Despite being relatively small, Mt. Kotengu boasts a rocky tower and a sheer cliff at its summit. It is said that its name is derived from the fact that it is a miniature version or a child of Mt. Jozankei Tengu (kotengu means small tengu), which is located to the northwest and has three rocky peaks.

Various wild vegetation can be seen along its trail, and magnificent views can be enjoyed from the summit.

The construction of Jozankei Dam was completed in 1989, but despite the Mt. Kotengu trailhead being cut before that, very few hikers ventured up the mountain. Since the establishment of Jozankei Dam Downstream Park, where the trailhead is located, the hiking trail has become more accessible to the general public.

From June to August – when gooseneck loosestrife flowers (lysimachia clethroides) bloom in the summer park and butterflies such as the silver studded blue, and dark green fritillary gather – many hikers visit.

From the trailhead sign next to the dam museum, walk along the stream and under the Jukai Bridge (on Prefectural Highway Route 1 Otaru-Jozankei road) three times, then zig-zag up the steep slope of the broadleaf forest while gaining altitude. Occasionally, you may hear the cries of white-bellied green pigeon. When the slope becomes less steep, the trail turns to the right and continues to climb the ridge. The surrounding area is a mixed forest of coniferous trees such as Glehn’s spruce and Sakhalin fir, and broad-leaved trees such as monarch birch and ‘mizunara’ (quercus crispula). Visitors can also expect to encounter woodpeckers such as the black woodpecker, white-backed woodpecker, and grey-headed woodpecker.

The sight of peony (paeonia obovata), the flowers of which bloom like the blushing face of a rare beauty, will increase your vigor one hundredfold. The ridge trail becomes steeper, with steps built along the way, and soon a rock tower appears directly ahead. The path zigzags up to a gentle slope amid the sight of ‘Ezo mantema’ (silene foliosa), ‘iwakinbai’ (potentilla ancistrifolia) and other plants that thrive in rocky places, but take care as the cliffs on the Lake Sapporo side are very steep.

  From here, the view opens up and the exquisite, colorful landscape of Lake Sapporo and the surrounding mountains can be seen below, but the steep, winding slope continues to the summit.

  At the end of the climb, on the top of a small hill, is a sign that reads ‘Summit of Mt Kotengu.’ From here, as well as the ultramarine blue of Lake Sapporo, majestic views Mt. Eboshi, Mt. Kamui, Mt. Hyakumatsuzawa and Mt. Hakkenzan (Mt. Kannoniwa) can be seen in one direction, and views of Mt. Jozankei Tengu,

Mt. Yoichi, Mt. Shirai and Mt. Muine in the other.

From the summit, if you are lucky enough to encounter the beautiful mountain hawk-eagle in flight, which since times gone by has been revered as the incarnation of the guardian deity of the mountain and god of the forest, your ascent of Mt. Kotengu will have been satisfyingly perfect.

Information

LOCATION
Jozankei Onsen Minami-ku Sapporo
BUSINESS DAYS
PERIOD
in winter closed
営業時間
9:00~14:30
*14:30~ban

Category

Area
Jozankei
Category
sightseeing, nature, activity
Facilities
toilet, parking
Amenities
hiking
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