高水三山ハイキングコース

[From March Issue 2010]

Located in Tokyo’s Okutama area, this hiking trail traverses three separate mountains: Takamizusan (759m), Iwatakeishiyama (793m) and Sougakusan (756m). Despite their modest heights, hikers can still enjoy fine views of the Kanto plain, Mt. Tsukuba, the Nikko Mountain Range, and neighboring mountains including Tanigawadake on the Jouetsu boarder (between Gunma and Niigata Prefectures) as well as the Okuchichibu mountain area. Hiking the Takamizusan trail is an ideal introduction to other Okutama-area hiking trips.

The hike begins at Ikusabata train station, where 50 meters to the left of the ticket gate you’ll find a railroad crossing. About 15 minutes after crossing over you’ll come to the Hiramizo Bridge. At the bridge follow the signpost to the left and pass through a quiet mountainside village. You will then come to the Hiramizogawa Bridge. Cross it then and follow the “Tozanguchi” signpost to the beginning of the ascent.

Ten minutes after passing the landslide marker, you will see the Sabo Dam, where the road you are now traveling on becomes the trail. Crossing a stream, you will climb the mountainside that leads to a small waterfall, and arrive at “Kata no Kohiroba” – a tiny open space on the mountain’s shoulder.

But don’t stop to rest just yet, for a little further along are some benches and a nice view from Rokugome – the sixth of this mountain’s ten stage ascent. About another 30 minutes up a log stairway is Joufukuin Temple. Rebuilt in 1822, the main building offers various sculptures of lions, elephants and dragons. And while the peak of Takamizusan is located just behind the temple surrounded by trees, with no view to speak of, you can still greatly enjoy the changing colors of maple trees during the autumn season.

The trail then descends northwestwardly down a steep slope towards Iwatakeishiyama. Flattening out, you can now view from a distance and to the right, the dome-shaped peaks of Nikko’s Nantaisan, just over the mountains of Okumusashi. Then, at the foot of Iwatakeishiyama the trail splits in two, with the right trail leading upwards towards the peak where the mountaintop commands a full view of the Kanto plains and Bou no Oreyama. For a short rest there are benches at the summit.

Lined with rocks, the trail then meanders southwest towards Sougakusan. Passing through a reforested area, it climbs to the flat hilltop, where Aoi Shrine, dedicated to Okuninusi no Mikoto, stands. After descending the Sougakusan’s southern face, the trail continues along the ridgeline eventually doubling back through the reforested area. You will eventually find yourself walking along the Ome Kaido Street towards Mitake. The Mitake train station is located on your right.

Ome City Tourist Information

Text: YAMAMOTO Masanori

[2010年3月号掲載記事]

奥多摩(東京)に位置する高水三山ハイキングコースは高水山(759m)岩茸石山(793m)惣岳山(756m)の3つの山をめぐるコースとなる。低い山ながら関東平野、筑波山・日光連山・谷川岳を初めとする上越国境(群馬と新潟県の県境)の山、奥秩父の山々の展望も楽しめる。奥多摩入門の山として最適である。

ハイキングは軍畑駅から始まる。改札を出て左へ50mほどにある踏切を渡り15分ほど車道を進むと平溝橋に着く。道標に従い橋の手前を左方向、のどかな山里のなかを行く。平溝川橋を渡るとすぐ右側に登山口の道標がある。

10分ほどは舗装道を歩くが砂防ダムが見えたら本格的な山道だ。小さな滝の落ちる沢を渡り九十九折のワインディング(急な坂にジグザグに道を作って登りやすくしてある場所)を息を切らして登ると肩の小広場に着く。

一休みしたくなるが、もうひとふんばりすればベンチのある六合目だ。視界も開ける。丸太の階段状の道を登り30分ほどで常福院に着く。1822年再建といわれる本堂は獅子・象・竜の彫刻が見事。高水山山頂は、常福院の裏である。木立に囲まれて眺望はない。秋はかえでの紅葉が楽しめる。

北西の方向へ急な坂を下り、岩茸石山へ。すぐ平坦な道になり、右手にある奥武蔵の山越しにドーム型の日光男体山を望む。登山道は岩茸石山の下で二手に分かれる。右手山頂に向かう道を選ぶ。山頂からは関東平野が一望できる。また、棒の折山も目の前だ。休憩するベンチもある。

岩茸石山山頂から西南の方向へ岩の多い道をたどり惣岳山に向かう。植林帯のなかを進むとやがて上りになり平坦な山頂にでる。山頂には大国主命を祭る青渭神社が建つ。南面を下り、植林帯を抜け、尾根上の道を行く。道標に従い御岳方面に下ると青梅街道に出る。御嶽駅はすぐ右手である。

青梅市観光協会

文:山本正則

Leave a Reply