Trail running & Speed hiking in Itoshima Nijodake 二丈岳, Onnadake 女岳, Ukidake 浮嶽 and Tomboyama 十坊山 2019.9.14
On the last visit to Itoshima we
were defeated by this hike and didn't make it to the last mountain. This time I
packed light and came ready to trail run and speed hike the route. This is a
challenging run that clocks in at nearly 20km by the end. It has some of the
most wonderful views of the Itoshima coastline, plenty of variety between each
mountain and a great Onsen to relax before heading pack to the JR train
line.
JR Dainyu Station >> Nijodake
>> Onnadake >> Ukidake >> Tomboyama >> Mamushi onsen
>> JR Fukuyoshi station
Running from Dainyu station to Nijodake 二丈岳
The run up to the Yuranaiko bridge
is mainly along road with a some options to cut through to the car park once
you get near. The weather wonderfully dry and clear and I got some waves and
greeting from the farmers working their fields on the way up.
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The summit of Nijodake has some of
the very best views of the Itoshima coastline. I got some shots and took a
brief rest.
The trail up is not too difficult
but there were a few points were I had to adjust my speed and slow down a
little. Luckily for the new leg I was able to run all of the way to the base of
Onnadake.
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Nijodake 二丈岳 to Onnadake 女岳
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The trail from Nijodake to Onnadake
is probably the least eventful. I ran down to the start of the final section of
the Nijodake and took the forest road which heads off to the left. I ran down
to eventually meet a campsite which on this was deserted and headed up and left
the road which I followed around to the start of the Onnadake hike as marked by
a signpost (Pictured below)
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I hiked up to the mountain ridge and ran along until I made it to the
summit. There are no views to speak off so after a short rest I continued
running down to a road and towards the next speak of Ukidake
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Onnadake 女岳 to Ukidake 浮嶽
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Ukidake is clearly visible as
soon as you exit the forest from Onnadake. It is imposing and looks much more
challenging than it really is.
I was able to to run all the way to
the base without stopping but them then hiked up keeping a good steady pace.
Ukidake is probably the steepest climb of the four mountains. There are
shrines, gates and other cultural features to take in on the way up which
really makes the mountain distinct from the others on the trail.
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Ukidake has a nice stone shrine on
the Summit as well as some pretty nice view through the trees.
After meeting and greeting another
speed hiker I took a long drink of water and started the descent run to the
road near the gold course and the start of the last climb.
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Ukidake 浮嶽 to Tomboyama 十坊山
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The trail down was pretty
uneventful and it was long until I was running parallel to
the Fukuokasevunhiruzu (福岡セヴンヒルズゴルフ倶楽部) gold club. I
could hear the voices of golfers through the trees as I ran on to the road
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I broke into a steady speed hike
with my legs starting to feel the ache of running up and down so many
mountains. For the rest of the climb I hiked but it still take too long to
reach the summit of Tomboyama.
The views are once again wonderful
and the large round rock is also interesting.
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Tomboyama 十坊山 to the Mamushi onsen まむしの湯 and back to JR Fukuyoshi station 福吉駅
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For the descent I ran small
sections and walked the steeper ones. It isn't a difficult route and didn't
take too long. I met many other hikers on the way all with various different
styles from superlight to fully equipped
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In finally
came to the fruit trees and farmland of Itoshima and walked down to meet the
trailhead and up the road to the Mamushi onsen.
After a relaxing soak and some creamy locally produced Itoshima milk I headed
to the station. A friendly family stopped and offered me a lift to the station
I thanked them but declined which turned out just as well as I was treated to
some great views of butterflies on the flowers around the fields.
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The hike in total took about 5
hours including the time spent at the Onsen. I didn't stop for lunch or between
each mountain mountain and instead choose to regulate my pace instead. This has
to be one of my favourite trail runs in Fukuoka and I highly recommend it. If
you would like more information or a map of the trail please don't hesitate to
get in contact either here or through instagram.
