Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost and second-largest island, renowned for its pristine wilderness, world-class powder snow, and vibrant seasonal beauty. From the lavender-carpeted fields of Furano to the UNESCO-listed Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido offers Japan's most dramatic natural landscapes alongside excellent seafood and dairy cuisine.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse
The Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse is Hokkaido's most celebrated long-distance mountain hike and one of Japan's finest multi-day alpine walks. The route traverses the spine of the Daisetsuzan mountain range — the 'Roof of Hokkaido' — crossing a series of 2,000m+ peaks through volcanic terrain, alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers, and high-altitude crater lakes. The standard route runs from Asahidake Ropeway Station to Sounkyo, but many variations are possible.
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2
Asahidake Day Hike
Asahidake (2,291m) is Hokkaido's highest mountain and one of Japan's most accessible high-alpine summits thanks to the Asahidake Ropeway which carries hikers to 1,600m. From the ropeway top station, the summit route passes through active fumarole fields, boulder terrain, and a final ridge walk to the summit trig point. On clear days the views extend across the entire Daisetsuzan range and to the Sea of Okhotsk.
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3
Shiretoko Five Lakes Walk
The Shiretoko Five Lakes are a cluster of small lakes in the Shiretoko Peninsula, one of Japan's most pristine wilderness areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Five Lakes walk offers an easy boardwalk route connecting the lakes through forest of Sakhalin fir and Erman's birch, with views of the Shiretoko mountain range rising behind the lakes and the Okhotsk Sea visible on the horizon. Brown bear activity is high in this area.
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4
Kurodake Summit Hike
Kurodake (1,984m) is the eastern gateway peak of the Daisetsuzan range and is made highly accessible by Sounkyo Ropeway and a chairlift, which together carry hikers to 1,520m. The summit hike through boulder fields and wildflower slopes is manageable for most hikers in good weather and provides magnificent views across the Daisetsuzan plateau. Kurodake is also the starting point for the Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse.
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5
Mount Yotei
Mount Yotei (1,898m), nicknamed 'Ezo Fuji' for its near-perfect symmetrical cone shape, is one of Hokkaido's most beloved and challenging mountains. The climb follows one of four routes (Makkari, Kyogoku, Hirafu, or Kimobetsu) through dense forest to the crater rim, where a 30-minute crater circuit reveals the full volcanic crater interior. The summit offers panoramic views across Niseko, the Sea of Japan, and on clear days to Daisetsuzan.
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6
Hakodate-yama Trail
Mount Hakodate (334m) is the mountain at the southern tip of the Hakodate Peninsula, famous for one of Japan's three great night views. A network of trails leads from the Motomachi district through the Hakodate-yama Trekking Course to the summit, where the ropeway terminal and observation decks await. The trail itself is gentle and enjoyable, passing through mixed woodland with good bird life and occasional sea views through the trees.
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7
Cape Kamui Trail
Cape Kamui (Kamui Misaki) is the dramatic western tip of the Shakotan Peninsula, where white chalk-limestone cliffs plunge into the Shakotan Blue sea. The trail runs along a narrow clifftop ridge to the lighthouse at the cape end, with the Sea of Japan on both sides and the iconic blue water visible far below. One of Hokkaido's most photographed coastal viewpoints.
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8
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Trail
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is Noboribetsu's most famous sight — a volcanic crater valley where boiling sulphurous spring water gushes from hundreds of vents, staining the earth vivid yellow and orange. The boardwalk trail winds through the steaming, bubbling landscape of active geothermal features, providing an atmospheric introduction to Hokkaido's volcanic geology. The trail extends to Oyunuma Pond (a large boiling sulphur lake) and through the quieter Okunoyu volcanic area.
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9
Lake Mashu Rim Trail
Lake Mashu is frequently cited as Japan's clearest lake, with visibility measured at 41m at its peak. The lake sits in a volcanic caldera with sheer 100-200m cliffs dropping directly into its deep blue water. There is no river or outflow and no shoreline accessible to the public. The rim trail provides views from the caldera edge, with the lake's intense blue reflecting changing conditions — fog-filled mornings are particularly atmospheric and famous (the 'Mashu mist').
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10
Tarumae-zan
Tarumae-zan is an active stratovolcano rising above the southwestern shore of Lake Shikotsu, one of Hokkaido's deepest and clearest caldera lakes. The mountain's distinctive dome — a lava dome that erupted as recently as 1981 — sits within a broad outer crater that hikers can walk around on a well-marked rim trail. Steaming fumaroles around the lava dome, panoramic views over Lake Shikotsu, and the alien volcanic landscape make Tarumae one of Hokkaido's most unique hiking experiences.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.
Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.
Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.