Why do not you hike at the sunset forest at Mt. Takao and observe the Japanese Giant Squirrel?
Mt.Takao is easy to access from metropolitan area at 599 m above sea level and you can enjoy beautiful nature and mystical shrine casually.
The hiking time is about one and a half hour is scheduled.
The hiking course is “Inariyama course” about 3 km in length, and even beginners can feel easy to participate.
Also, at the event, after hiking, we are also planning a meal while watching the night view at the restaurant “Beer Mount”. (Participation is free.)
Let’s enjoy delicious dishes and beer while watching the beautiful night view of Tokyo!
the Japanese Giant Squirrel is nocturnal, and it will come out of the nest in about 30 minutes after sunset.
Because they are very timid, there are times when they are scared and do not come out if direct lighting of the flashlight is hit.
Therefore, the flashlight must be covered with a red cellophane, I will prepare the red cellophane and the rubber band for every participant.
Every participant must bring a flashlight.
ABOUT BEER MOUNT:
I am planning a meal with a BEER MOUNT after observation of the Japanese Giant Squirrel.
BEER MOUNT is a 2 hour buffet with all you can drink and all you can eat.
You can enjoy meals while watching the night view of Tokyo from Mt. Takao.
The price is 3,800 yen for men and 3,600 yen for women. http://www.takaotozan.co.jp/beermnt/
Participants who do not go to BEER MOUNT will guide you to the cable car stop so please be relieved.
BELONGINGS:
·flashlight
· Non-slippery shoes for hiking
·water
·towel
· Change clothes (if entering a hot spring)
SCHEDULE:
Keio Takaosanguchi Station (15: 00)
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Inari mountain climbing course
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Mt.Takao mountain peak (16: 30)
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Yakuou-in shrine (17: 00)
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Observation of the Japanese Giant Squirrel (18: 00)
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Beer Mount (18: 30)
※ Free participation
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Cable car go down (20: 30)
AFTER THE HIKE:
After hiking, Beer Mount is basically free to join.
In case of non-participation please do descend by cable car as it is.
I will show you to the cable car stop.
If you want to participate, The end time is scheduled for 21:00.
Waiver of Liability/Disclaimer: Please read before signing up for this event.
These organizers are not professional hikers or trained leaders and are not medically trained to handle emergencies. Hiking is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited fall injuries, poison oak. By participation in this event/hike you agree to not hold these organizers liable for any harm that may come to you, or your property. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are leaving the group. Stay on the trail, never hike alone and use your own common sense.
“Sento run” refers to a running style that puts luggage in the japanese public bath and enjoying running, of course, after running, you can relax with a bath by taking a shower.
This group is for groups who can enjoy “Sento run” with public baths in various parts of Tokyo.
The manager is not good at English, but I’d like to spread the goodness of the japanese public bath as well as possible to the world, please do not hesitate to join foreigners and Japanese people!
INFORMATION ON PUBLIC BATH
The public bath that we will use at this event of this day is “Kanda Aqua House Edo | 神田アクアハウス江戸遊”. http://www.edoyu.com/kanda/
This public bath is in a building located between Ochanomizu and Kanda.
There is a bathroom on the 3rd floor, you can enjoy two types of bathtubs.
first one is a bathtub that can enjoy the scent of hinoki and the other one is using a stone of Hokkaido’s “Futamata Hot Spring”.
Sauna and water bath are also available at extra charge, if you like it!
On the second floor there is a free lounge where you can relax and there is also a restaurant so if you wish you can have evening meal here!
RUNNING INFORMATION
At this event we are planning a course of about 7 km which will start from the sento and make a round around the Imperial Palace.
You can enjoy the landscape chosen as “100 roads in Japan” such as Sakurada-mon Gate and the moat of Edo Castle.
This event is aimed at relaxing only, so running speed is slow.
If you are beginner of a running, please do not hesitate to join us.
MEETING PLACE
I will be waiting you in front of the Starbucks after leaving Hijiribashiguchi Exit at JR Ochanomizu Station at 6 PM.
I am a buzz cut man, If you do not understand please contact me via email!
↓
info@sampomaster.com
ENTRY FEE:
free
※Public Bath charge is 460 yen and coin locker use fee costs 100 yen.
WHAT TO BRING:
running shoes
running wear
towel
FACILITY:
Rental Towel Set(210 yen)
locker (100 yen)
hair dryer (free)
body shampoo, conditioner shampoo (free)
DISCLAIMER:
Please read before signing up for this event.
These organizers are not professional or trained leaders and are not medically trained to handle emergencies. Please carry a personal medical emergency kit and any medications you need. Running is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to slip and injuries, fractures, heatstroke. By participation in this event/run you agree to not hold these organizers liable for any harm that may come to you, your guests, or your property. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are leaving the group.
Maneki-no-yu is super Sentou in Funabori, Tokyo.
Super Sentou is more expensive than ordinary public bath, but it is more luxurious.
The bath is a natural hot spring with a large inner bath and open-air bath, sauna and jet bath.
In addition, 15,000 cartoon books are prepared in the rest room and you can enjoy it all day if you like manga.
As a running course, a course that goes along the Arakawa River to the sea is good.
The running course of Arakawa is connected to Kasai Rinkai Park as it is.
Because Maneki-no-yu is also friendly to runners, you can enjoy running and hot springs slowly all day.
Arakawa river has a cycling course along the river and is easy to run.
It is possible to run comfortably feeling the sea breeze if the weather is good.
In addition, since Kasai Rinkai Park has a large lawn open space, it may be good to enjoy a nap by laying a seat.
It is the perfect running course to relax on a holiday without any plan.
How to Reception
When using this facility as a running, please use the following procedure.
① Put shoes in the shoebox and pull out the key.
② Enter and pay fee to Receptionist.
③ You will tell Receptionist in Japanese as follows.
“Running De Riyou Shitai Desu”, which meams “I would like to use it for running.
④ Please change to running wear at the dressing room first.
⑤ Please put the luggage in the dressing room locker.
⑥ Please give the locker’s key to the Receptionist.
⑦ Running
⑧ When you return from running, receive the locker key.
⑨ Please take a bath and relax
“MAGNET by SHIBUYA 109” is a commercial building one minute walk from Shibuya station.
Mainly selling fashion for young men, food court on the 7th floor.
The rooftop of this building is open for free, and you can take a photo from almost directly above Shibuya Crossing.
You can reach the rooftop from the back door of food court on the 7th floor.
When you come to Shibuya, please go to this rooftop and shoot your best picture.
The time zone I visited was PM 6 o’clock and it was very empty so it is recommended!
Please note that it is not a building of SHIBUYA 109 famous for female fashion, but a commercial building that sells fashion for men.
Store Information
Address : 1-23-10 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3477-5111
website: https://www.shibuya109.jp/MAGNET/mag7
Access : 1 minute on foot from JR Shibuya station
Closed: January 1
Business hours : 10: 00 ~ 21: 00
7F MAG7 11: 00 ~ 23: 00
Rooftop MAG’s PARK 11: 00 ~ 23: 00
※ There are cafe and restaurants where some business hours are different.
Mt. Takao’s trail is just off the Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅.
It takes about 1 hour by train from Shinjuku staition.
HIKING OVERVIEW:
If you can not enjoy hiking because it is too hot in summer in Japan.
How about hiking starting from the evening?
August 15, 2018 I went hiking at Mt. Takao at night.
There are two reasons.
The first one is to see the japanese giant squirrel at Mt. Takao at night.
Mt. Takao lives a lot of the japanese giant squirrel, but since they are nocturnal they can not meet without visiting at night.
Another reason is to enjoy the night view of Tokyo from Mt. Takao.
You can look over Tokyo from near the cable car platform. If the air is clear, you can hope for Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower.
The night view of Tokyo from mountain was simply stunning.
WHAT TO BRING:
• mountaineering shoes
• Sufficient water (1.5 liters on this day)
• Light snack (Sandwiches and rice balls etc…)
• the mosquito repellent spray
• changing clothes (If you visit a hot spring.)
• Light with red cellophane attached
↓↓↓↓
The japanese giant squirrel is very timid.
If you hit the light of the light directly, they may scare and may not come out of the nest. Be sure to put a red cellophane on the light.
SCHEDULE FOR THIS DAY:
Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅（4:00 PM）
(Mt. Takao has some trails, but I chose Inariyama Trail this day.)
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Mt.Takao| 高尾山山頂（5:30 PM）
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Yakuo-in | 薬王院有喜寺（6:00 PM）
(you have to report the observation of the Giant Flying Squirrel to the company office of shrine which is called as Shamu-Sho 社務所.)
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Takao station of cable car | ケーブルカー 高尾山駅（7:30 PM）
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Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅（8:30 PM）
As a result, did I see Giant Flying Squirrel?
On this day, I was able to see Giant Flying Squirrel, I will summarize concrete actions below.
6:00 PM
I arrived at Yakuo-in as planned, the sunset of this day is scheduled for 6:32 PM.
I immediately looked for Tree hollow which is the nest of Giant Flying Squirrel.
tree hollow or tree hole
A tree hollow or tree hole is a semi-enclosed cavity which has naturally formed in the trunk or branch of a tree. They are found mainly in old trees, whether living or not. Hollows form in many species of trees, and are a prominent feature of natural forests and woodlands, and act as a resource or habitat for a number of vertebrate and invertebrate animals.
Quote: Wikipedia
6:30 PM
I found 2 Tree hollows that seemed to be nest of Giant Flying Squirrel in 30 minutes after arrival.
One in the back of Oku-no-Fudoin and one in the middle of the staircase leading to the summit.
A few minutes to sunset, I waited for sunset.
6:45 PM
I kept observing the Tree hollows in the stairs for about 15 minutes, but Giant Flying Squirrel did not show up, I headed for another candidate Oku-no-Fudoin.
I came to foot of the tree and turned on the light and looked up to the Tree hollow.
Then …
There was! ! !
Clearly the red eyes of Giant Flying Squirrel from the Tree hollow were watching me!
Because Giant Flying Squirrel is afraid of lights, I knew that if I shine a lot of light on him, he will not come out of the nest.
Nonetheless, I could not hide joy and excitement in the face of the first Giant Flying Squirrel and I did shine a lot of light on to his nest many times.
But due to my misbehavior, Giant Flying Squirrel did not come out easily from the nest.
7:10 PM
The first excitement I found Giant Flying Squirrel settled down little by little, I tried to shift the light from the nest and shine a light on.
Then Giant Flying Squirrel was relieved, came out of the nest and showed me the whole picture.
The Giant Flying Squirrel I met for the first time was bigger than I imagined, surprisingly it was about the size of a cat.
The Giant Flying Squirrel is also called “a flying a zabuton” and is the largest species of mouse in Japan in the eyes.
7:15 PM
After leaving the nest The Giant Flying Squirrel wandered around the trees, for a while, then disappeared into the depths of the forest without flying through the sky.
I could not see The Giant Flying Squirrel which is flying this day after all in the end.
I think now, it may be because I was too excited at the Giant Flying Squirrel who appeared at last, and shine a light on too many times.
The lesson I got this day is that if you discover the Giant Flying Squirrel, do not shine a light directly on the light.
Apparently the Giant Flying Squirrel is a very cowardly creature, and if you shine a light directly on too, they will alarmed and will not move at all.
I can witness the giant of the Giant Flying Squirrel to fly at a later date, but it can be said that reflection at this time was useful.
It will also summarizes it in another blog.
Map of the hiking course
↑Click the image to open a map expanded with new tab↑
CAUTIONS WHEN OBSERVE:
If you want to directly illuminate the musasabi, use red cellophane paper and gently light up with red light and let’s observe.
Let’s observe quietly without loud voice.
Let’s minimize the photography with the strobe.
Bon fires are forbidden.
setting up a tent is prohibited.
Please do not leave any trash.
Please stop acts that threaten the living things.
Please do not enter into the fence or the implantation.
Please do not light the inside of the building with a powerful light.
AFTER THE HIKE:
There is a hot spring at Takao-San-guchi station which is the goal of the hiking course.
Keio Takaosan hot spring “Gokuraku-yu” is able to enjoy an outdoor bath and a variety of compatible bathtubs and saunas for a bathing rate of 1,000 yen.
If you go home on a hot spring and relax, take a change of clothes.
Store Information
Name: Gokuraku-yu | 極楽湯
Address : 2229 7th Takao-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Tel: 042-663-4126
website: http://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/
Access : Next to the Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station
Closed: open 365 days per year
Business hours : 8: 00 ~ 23: 00 (last entrance reception 22: 00)
Usage fee : 1000 yen (Bathing fee included)
If you are looking for guide of this tour please refer to the following.
It takes about two hours by train and bus from Shinjuku to this course, but it is worth it.
Because “Shirayasawa valley” which can enjoy beautiful valley and waterfall is included in the course.
Furthermore, the goal of this hiking course is a hot spring so you can relax and go home with natural hot water.
Of course it depends on you whether you enter a hot spring or not.
The altitude of Mt. Bonore is 969 m and it is located at the prefecture border between Tokyo and Saitama prefecture.
The first half of the hiking course starts from about 400 altitudes and climbs this mountain at once.
The second half of the hiking course goes down the beautiful valley called Shirayatani.
When the valley trail is over, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Arima Dam.
Valley is slippery, sometimes you can put your feet on water so let’s go wearing climbing shoes that are hard to slip.
It rained on the summit of the mountain, it was very slippery, so the ride time was around 4 and a half hours.
WHAT TO BRING:
• Non-slip mountaineering shoes
• Sufficient water (1.5 liters on this day)
• Light snack (Sandwiches and rice balls etc…)
• the mosquito repellent spray
• Sunscreen
• Trekking Poles (if you use them)
SCHEDULE FOR THIS DAY:
Seitoubashi Bus staion | 清東橋バス停（9:45）
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Entrance of the Mt.Bonore trail | 棒ノ折山ハイキングコース（10:00）
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Mt.Bonore | 棒ノ折山（11:30）
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Gonjiri Pass | 権次入峠（10:45-11:15）
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Iwatake-ishi | 岩茸石（13:15）
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Arima dam | 有馬ダム（13:45）
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Hot spring Sawarabi-no-yu | さわらびの湯（14:15）
Map of the hiking course
↑Click the image to open a map expanded with new tab↑
AFTER THE HIKE:
There is a hot spring on the goal of this hike.
The name of this hot spring is “Sawarabi-no-yu | さわらびの湯”.
Bathing fee is 800 yen, you can enjoy outdoor bath and various types of bathtub.
If you go into a hot spring and relax and go home, I recommend you take clothes.
The way to go back to Tokyo from Sawarabi-no-yu is by bus and train.
First go by bus to Seibu Ikebukuro Line Hannō Station | 西武池袋線 飯能駅.
Seibu Railway Ikebukuro From Line Hannō Station | 西武池袋線 飯能駅 to JR Ikebukuro station | JR池袋駅 will arrive in about 50 minutes.
However, the express red arrow | 特急レッドアロー号 can be used with plus 500 yen.
If you are looking for tour guide of this hiking course please refer to the following.
Sakaeyu is a public bath located in Sasazuka near Shinjuku and very kind to runners.
This public bath will be the best for running the night view of Shinjuku.
The view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office and Shinjuku Central Park is near futuristic, like a science fiction movie.
Both the bath and the dressing room are wide and clean, and there is a open-air bath in Sakaeyu.
If you want to run around Shinjuku, I definitely recommend this place.
Store Information
Address : 2-9-5 Sasazuka Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3377-3369
website: http://sasazukasakaeyu.com/shisetsu.html
Access : Keiou line Sasazuka station Exit North Exit (Koshu Kaido, 10 No. Street towards shopping district) 4 minutes on foot.
Closed: Every Wednesday, Thursday Thursday
※ There are summer holidays and New Year holidays.
Business hours :
3:00 pm – 1: 30 midnight (1: 00 reception closed)
1st and 3 th Sunday afternoon 1:00 pm to late night 12 o’clock
※ First Sunday of January is excluded
Sunday 2, 4, 5 Sunday from 3 pm to 12 midnight
(11: 30 reception closed)
Usage fee : 460 yen (Bathing fee included)
Running Course
From this public bath to Shinjuku you will arrive by going straight on the Koshu Highway, but you can also go straight through Hunan Road and enter from Kumano Shrine to access Shinjuku Central Park.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office looking up from beneath is very photogenic.
Be careful as the running time limit is two hours.
How to Reception
When using this facility as a running, please use the following procedure.
① Put shoes in the shoebox and pull out the key.
② Enter and pay 460 yen to Receptionist.
③ You will tell Receptionist in Japanese as follows.
“Running De Riyou Shitai Desu”, which meams “I would like to use it for running.
④ Please change to running wear at the dressing room first.
⑤ Please put the luggage in the dressing room locker.
⑥ Please give the locker’s key to the Receptionist.
⑦ Running
⑧ When you return from running, receive the locker key.
⑨ Please take a bath and relax
Fureai no Yu is the closest public bath to Tokyo Tower, and luggage temporary keeping service is popular among runners.
It’s perfect for one round of Tokyo Tower and its surrounding Shiba park because the running time limit is one hour.
Boasting hot water and powerful jet bath, use of hair dryer is free.
There is an independent rest room with large screen TV, and you can relax with a drink of juice etc in the boiling water.
Store Information
Address : Minato Ward Shiba 2-2-18, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5442-2639
website: none
Access :
Get off at Yamanote line “Hamamatsucho” station, 5 minutes on foot
Get off at Mita Line Subway “Shiba Park station ” station A1 exit, 3 minutes on foot
Get off at Asakusa Line · Oedo Line ” Daimon Train” station A 3 Exit, 5 minutes on foot
Closed: every Monday New Year’s Holiday (January 1, January 3, January 4)
Business hours :
Tuesday – Saturday from 3 PM to 11 PM
Sunday / holiday 2 PM – 11 PM
Usage fee : 460 yen (Bathing fee included)
Running Course
Shiba park surrounding the Tokyo Tower is ideal for running.
It is a comfortable running course with gentle slopes and lively trees.
The view from the bottom of Tokyo Tower is a wonderful view, very photogenic.
However, since the running limit time of Furei no Yu is only one hour, let’s shorten the photo time.
How to Reception
When using this facility as a running, please use the following procedure.
① Put shoes in the shoebox and pull out the key.
② Enter and pay 460 yen to Receptionist.
③ You will tell Receptionist in Japanese as follows.
“Running De Riyou Shitai Desu”, which meams “I would like to use it for running.
④ Please change to running wear at the dressing room first.
⑤ Please put the luggage in the dressing room locker.
⑥ Please give the locker’s key to the Receptionist.
⑦ Running
⑧ When you return from running, receive the locker key.
⑨ Please take a bath and relax
From JR · Keio Corporation Takao Station North Exit, we will arrive at “Bus bound for Kobotoke | 小仏” bus in about 20 minutes (230 yen) for “Kobotoke bus station | 小仏バス停”.
On July 14, 2018 we went hiking to eat “shaved ice” on the top of the mountain.
The shaved ice that I eat at the summit while watching the spectacular view from the mountain was the best!
This hiking course starts the Kobotoke bus stop, passes through the Kobotoke Pass, and is a trail of 8.8 km in length which goes to Takaosanguchi station via Mt. Kobotokeshiroyama.
At Mt.Kobotokeshiroyama’s “Harumi tea house” we ate a popular shaved ice, and at the end we relaxed at the Takaosanguchi station at the hot spring adjacent to Keio Corporation.
Mt.Takao is known as a mountain of faith from the Edo period, and mountain faith Yakuouin hall is dotted in the mountain 600 meters above sea level and forms a mysterious atmosphere.
Mt.Takao was selected as a three star tourist destination together with Mt.Fuji at Mt.Takao in Michelin in France in the Japanese version travel guide book in 2009.
Therefore, it became a very popular hiking course, and it was very crowded on the day.
For that reason, we chose “No.6 Road” instead of “No.1 Road” from the summit of Mt.Takao.
↑Click the image to open a map expanded with new tab↑
AFTER THE HIKE:
There is a hot spring on the goal of this hike.
The name of this hot spring is “Gokuraku-yu” and it is adjacent to Takaosanguchi station of Keio Corporation.
Bathing fee is 1000 yen, you can enjoy outdoor bath and various types of bathtub.
If you go into a hot spring and relax and go home, I recommend you take clothes.
Take the bus from Ome Line Okutama Station.
Take one of the West Tokyo buses “東日原 | Higashi-Nippara” or “鍾乳洞 | Shounyu-dou” and get off at “川乗橋 | Kawanori-bashi”.
It was a very hot days in Tokyo, so this time we have been to a hike of Mt. Kawanori walking along the cool a valley.
Mt.Kawanori is located in Okutama, Tokyo and is a mountain at the border with Saitama Prefecture.
The hiking course starting from Kawanori Bridge is Mt. Kawanori’s most popular climbing course.
This course is recommended on a hot summer as it walks along a valley and passes through Hyakuhiro Waterfall , which is about 40 m in height.
The waterfall is very cool and you can forget the hot summer for a while.
Under the waterfall is very instagrammable because it is very powerful.
This climbing course is hard as the altitude difference is more than 1000 m.
Because it is a popular mountain, the mountain trail is maintained to some extent,
Even if you are a beginner of mountain climbing it is easy to challenge if you accompany the experienced.
The altitude is 1363 m and the running time is about 5 and a half hours are scheduled.
Even though it is along a valley, It was hard because it was a hot summer exceeding 30 degrees this day.
Also, it is easy to slide around Hyakuhiro waterfall, so it is necessary to be careful as it is a course where a slide accident happens in the past.
Let’s challenge with a non-slippery shoes and adequate moisture, Carry a good behavioral diet.
WHAT TO BRING:
• Non-slippery athletic shoes (climbing shoes if possible)
• Sufficient water (1.5 liters was not enough on this day)
• Behavioral diet (sandwich, rice ball etc …)
• Sunscreen (if you use them)
• Trekking Poles (if you use them)
• Change clothes (if entering a hot spring after hiking)
SCHEDULE FOR THIS DAY:
Okutama Station(8:25)→Bus departure time(8:35)→Arrival of Kawanori Bridge(08:50)→Hosokura Bridge(9:50)→Hyaku-hiro Waterfall(10:40)→Mt.Kawanori(12:40)→Funaido(13:30)→Ooneno-yamano-kami(15:00)→Hatonosu station(15:30)
Map of the hiking course
↑Click the image to open a map expanded with new tab↑
AFTER THE HIKE:
We have dissolved at “Hatonosu station”.
Me and the other person got off at the second JR Kabe station from Ome Station towards Shinjuku, and went to the hot spring “Umeno-yu”.
The bathing charge of “Umeno-yu” was 860 yen.
If you are looking for tour guide of this hiking course please refer to the following.
