Aug 13, 2013 - 1 min read

Kumano Hiking Trails

Exploring the forest in the Kii Mountain Range

By Virginia Gonzalez

Community writer

Our special guide played the conch in certain spots of the route, which made the journey unique

Rice fields near one of the trail's starting point.

Pre-hiking ceremony in the Sangakurin Temple

The route offers some interesting views like this one

Kumano is a perfect place for nature and photography lovers

The landscape in this area is particularly beautiful because of the subtropical vegetation and the rice plantations

This dream-like place was partly hidden and fully covered in moss

During our journey we encountered abandoned cars, houses and, even, schools

Lots of rivers and waterfalls can be found in this area

We found several religious items as well, like this sacred gate

Our guide took us to this hardly accessible waterfall in the mountains

It was a perfect spot for her to play her conch shell again

The Kumano Area, in the Wakayama prefecture, possesses countless hiking paths that, once, were part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Some of them pass through rice plantations and even family houses. Now, these abandoned paths have blended in with the surrounding nature.These trails remain off the map for most visitors to Japan who consider Kyoto a far enough detour from the capital city. The Kii Mountain Range routes are great spots for nature lovers to enjoy the quietness and richness of Kumano's nature. These are some of the trails I walked during my stay in Kumano.

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Virginia Gonzalez

By Virginia Gonzalez

Community writer

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