Hitachinokuni Long Trail opens across Ibaraki Prefecture

The Hitachinokuni Long Trail, Japan’s longest loop trail, has officially opened in northern Ibaraki Prefecture. Spanning approximately 350 km, the route connects six cities and towns: Kitaibaraki, Takahagi, Hitachi, Hitachiota, Hitachiomiya, and Daigo.

The project was launched in 2019 by the Ibaraki Prefectural Government and took seven years to complete. Development was supported by the Hitachinokuni Trail Club, a volunteer organization of roughly 1,000 members who worked to restore abandoned paths and create new routes alongside existing trails.

The trail traverses diverse landscapes, including mountains, valleys, coastlines, and satoyama—traditional rural areas where human communities coexist with nature. Due to its moderate elevation and low exposure to heavy snowfall, much of the trail is accessible year-round. While some sections, such as the Central Area in the Yamizo mountain range, offer steep climbs for experienced hikers, the route provides views of landmarks like Fukuroda Falls and the Ryujinkyo gorge.