Yamanobori! Kansai

Disclaimer: this is a path I haven't scouted beforehand. In a perfect world, the sun shines, the birds sing and we follow the trail beautifully. In the real world, there may be wrong turns, last minute change of plans, or a sleeping pokemon blocking the way.

Hi fellow hikers!

We return into the far north region of Keihoku, going up and down Tendo-san through cedar forests and old rural landscapes.

Meeting point:
Kyoto Bus Station (on the North side of Kyoto station), bus platform JR3, 8:15am. We'll catch the Takao-Keihoku (高雄京北) bus to Shuzan at 8:30am to arrive at 9:55am, then switch to the local shuttle to Yamagunigoryo-mae.

(You can try to hop on the bus as it crosses Kyoto, but be warned that we tried that in the past and have been refused boarding because the bus was too full)

Return: depends on how the day goes. The bus back to Kyoto departs from the area at least once an hour. We'll be planning to be back to Kyoto at the latest by 7pm.

Length/elevation: 14km, up and down 700m.

What to expect
Keihoku is the deep rural northwestern edge of Kyoto City, and only became part of it in 2005.
We begin by following the Kamikatsura River through a quiet countryside landscape, before entering forests known for producing Kitayama cedar, prized for its straight trunks and elegant grain. We stop by the atmospheric Kamo Shrine, then begin the ascent of Tendōsan. Along the climb, we’ll get sweeping views over the valley from a former paragliding launch point and several lookout platforms. We then cross the hamlet of Yono, once active in charcoal production, and head into the Todoroki Valley, where scenic cliffs and the 20-meter Takimata Falls await. We wrap up by returning to Hosono, where we can catch a bus back to Kyoto and, for anyone interested, finish with a bowl of local wild boar ramen.

Points of difficulty
Tendosan seems like a challenging slope with elevation gain of 500m. Good physical fitness is required.

Logistics
Well-worn shoes, water, lunch, snacks and appropriate clothes for the day. As we’ll be in the deep countryside do not expect any convenience store or other food stop. The map does indicate a few bathrooms along the way though.

Usual disclaimer
By joining this hike, you acknowledge that the organizer assumes no liability for physical injury, financial ruin, enlightenment, karmic rebalancing, or any other unforeseen catastrophe.