10 - 19 April

UK Charity Challenge Trek Events in Kumano

Tour 1

7 - 20 April

Land of Fire

G/M

Tour 2

4 - 18 May

Imperial Pilgrimage Route 1

M/V

Tour 3

12 - 25 May

Land of Fire

G/M

Tour 4

22 - 31 May

Early summer walks in the Heart of Japan

G

Tour 5

8 - 22 June

Ocean Deep Mountain High*

S

Tour 6

29 June - 13 July

Mountains of Central Japan 1

V

Tour 7

14 - 28 September

Mountains of Central Japan 2

V

Tour 8

21 September - 3 October

Mountain Spirits

M

Tour 9

2 - 12 October

Tateyama to Kamikochi Alpine Route*

S

Tour 10

19 October - 2 November

Imperial Pilgrimage Route 2

M/V

Tour 11

16 - 30 November

West Japan Explorer

M

Grade

Description

Gentle (G)

Typically up to about 4 hours walking in a day. Easier, slower paced walks on several days. These will be partly on quiet roads or along paths in rural areas, although they may include occasional steep uphill sections on smaller mountains. More time to sightsee and stop along the way.

Suitable for anyone who is happy to walk around town for a few hours and who enjoys country walks. Decent trainers or lightweight boots/light day sack for essentials and snacks (about 25 litres)/waterproofs.

Moderate (M)

Up to 6 days of walking from 2 to 5 hours per day. Hikes include routes to easy mountain peaks up to 2,000m (6,562'). May include the very occasional fixed ladder.

Suitable for hill walkers. Lightweight walking boots/ light day sack for essentials and snacks (about 25 litres)/waterproofs.

Vigorous (V)

Up to 7 days of walking from 5-9 hours per day. Ascents and descents of mountains including higher 3,000m (9,843') peaks. Note that The Imperial Pilgrimage Route tour is graded M/V as although the main hike is only four days, and the maximum altitude is below 1,000m (3,281'), some of the paths are steep and the walks are up to 8 hours per day.

A good level of fitness is required for the longer ascents and descents. May include fixed ladders, chains, bridges (similar to via ferrata). Easy scrambling in the higher mountains. Should be confident on ridges and negotiating broken, rocky ground.

Suitable for fit enthusiasts who enjoy mountain walking. Recent hill or mountain walking experience important. Thanks to the extensive network of mountain lodges, it is not necessary to carry sleeping bags or other camping equipment, so medium-size back packs with a change of clothes and personal belongings are sufficient. More substantial walking boots with ankle supports recommended/larger back pack (about 55 litres)/waterproofs.

Strenuous (S)

Either 7 days or more of continuous walking 6-9 hours per day in remoter mountain country with ascents to 3,000m (9,843') peaks or, in the case of the Ocean Deep Mountain High tour, one day climbing Mount Fuji 3,776m (12,338') – the rest of the walking on this tour would be classed moderate.

Continuous ascents and descents along mountain trails with have fixed ladders and chains in remoter areas demands a good level of fitness and recent mountain hiking or trekking experience. Easy scrambling in the higher mountains. Accommodation is in mountain lodges so a medium-size back pack with a change of clothes and personal belongings is sufficient. More substantial walking boots with ankle supports recommended/larger back pack (about 55 litres)/waterproofs.

Reconnaissance

(R)

If this appears in brackets after the main grade it denotes a new itinerary. These trips should appeal to the really adventurous and the hiking itineraries may be less predictable than most.