Let's go cycling around Hachimantai!

Cycle around Towada-Hachimantai National Park!

There are great cycling routes for all experience levels! Hachimantai has routes for everyone, from those who have never touched a road bike to world class cyclists. Let us suggest the perfect route for you!

The Expert Course is especially recommended for advanced cyclists and includes the Hachimantai Hill Climb race course. Step into the great nature of Hachimantai and read on for information on everything from elevation changes to relay spots where you can rest and sightsee. Plus Information on bicycle rental stores and delicious lunches to help you power through!

Course 1 - Expert Course

Distance 47.1km

Part of this course is where the Hachimantai Hill Climb Race is held every August. You will cycle the Hachimantai Aspite Line that goes through Towada Hachimantai National Park. The dynamic scenery encountered at each curve is like a mountain stage of the Tour de France.

Course Overview

Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest Forestry Museum (4.0km)
Matsuo Hachimantai Visitor Center (19.5km, Hachimantai Aspite Line)
Hachimantai Mountaintop Rest House (17.7 km, Hachimantai Jukai Line)
Matsukawa Onsen (5.2km)
Matsukawa Valley Genbuiwa (0.7km)
Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest Forestry Museum

Course 2 - Cultural Experience Course

Distance 39.5km

This route crosses Hachimantai. This course mainly covers flat terrain, with a gentle slope to Appi Kogen. The breeze on the plateau, the quiet rural atmosphere of the Appi River, and golden rice fields in autumn make it a very relaxing course.

Course Overview

Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest Forestry Museum (4.0km)
Matsuo Hachimantai Visitor Center (14.3 km, APPI Kogen Rainbow Line)
HOUSE APPI (5.2km)
Lawson APPI Kogen Branch (0.7km)
SHIMONO528(0.7km)
Sakuramatsu Shrine (Fudo Falls) (0.7km)
Arayashimmachi Station (0.7km)
Appi Urushi Studio

Course 3 - Beginner Course

Distance 30.3km

This is the 2011 All Japan Cycling Championships Road Race course. Enjoy a stunning view of Mt. Iwate as you cycle through gentle pastures on this Mt. Iwate Panorama Line – the views are just breathtaking. This route doesn’t get much traffic, and is recommended for beginners.

Course Overview

Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest Forestry Museum (8.1km, Mt. Iwate Panorama Line)
Mt. Iwate Yakehashiri International Exchange Village (6.5 km)
Roadside Station Nishine (7.3km)
LudensFarm (1.8km)
Solitary Cherry Tree of Uwabo (5.5km)
Hachimantai Onsen Mori-no-Yu (1.1km)
Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest Forestry Museum

Learn more about cycling in Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Ride your mountain bike through the mountains of Appi and Hachimantai!

Whether for sport, fitness, travel, or daily commuting, mountain biking is extremely versatile. In addition to its general health benefits, it is also a good alternative to crowded public transportation.

Mountain bikes are specialized for riding over bumpy dirt and gravel roads and the difficult twists and turns of mountain trails. They are built ruggedly to withstand strong impacts and crashes, yet are kept as lightweight as possible.

Have you ever experienced the sensation of tires gripping a non-paved road? This is trail riding. The exhilaration of pedaling against a natural path, whether in deep forests or high in the mountains, cannot be experienced on the road.

We believe that everyone can find a cycling experience that suits them. We invite you to come cycling in Hachimantai!

Rent a mountain bike!

Unpaved natural trails can present certain hazards for beginners. Without general riding knowledge, accidents can occur on the trails. That is why Lodge Clubman offers Hachimantai Mountain Bike Tours. In just one day, a guide will take you through the forested areas of Hachimantai on a course suited to your ability and experience level. This tour is open to elementary school students who can ride a bicycle, making it a wonderful option for families to enjoy nature together.

Are you concerned about your physical fitness or are you worried about regular mountain biking? If so, the Monster E-Bike Program may be perfect for you! The program uses several e-bikes, or electric bikes, assisted by battery-powered motors and imported from Europe. This allows young riders and those who are a little less confident in their physical strength to enjoy the thrill of real trail riding. Since they are very rare in Japan and cannot be used on public roads, trail riding is the only way to experience this fascinating sport!

All tours include a introductory course to learn basic riding skills such as braking and positioning before enjoying the trails.

Another way to enjoy mountain biking!

During the winter months, the Appi Kogen Ski Resort is known for its excellent powder snow. But when the green season arrives, it turns into a downhill biker's paradise. The Appi Gondola takes you up Mt. Maemori in just 15 minutes, where you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of Mt. Iwate, Hachimantai, Mt. Nanashigure, Mt. Himekami, and the surrounding beech forests. From there, mountain bikers can ride down the slopes!

For beginners, downhill biking can be a bit nerve-wracking. We understand this feeling, which is why we offer the Appi Downhill Tour. Participants will receive training in proper riding position and braking, as well as practice riding slopes and cornering on gentle terrain.

Enjoy cycling even in autumn!

When one thinks of the autumn scenery in Hachimantai, vivid autumn leaves are the first thing that comes to mind. In this area, selected as one of Japan's 100 best places for autumn foliage, the gradation of red and yellow covering the mountains and contrasting with the powerful blue of the Matsukawa River is a must-see.

For more information on activities, please visit Clubman's official website. Other activities such as hiking, bouldering, and kayaking are also offered. Clubman and Hachimantai are sure to make your stay an enjoyable and memorable one.