- Activity Level
9km
Lake Shikotsu – Mt. Tarumae Caldera Trekking
Lake Shikotsu is located around 1 hour drive from Hokkaido’s capital city Sapporo. The lake is one of the finest caldera lakes in Japan. The lake was formed by a volcanic eruption approximately 40,000 years ago. Even after the main eruption, the volcanoes on the lakeshore kept erupting, making the caldera lake the shape it is today.
This tour starts from the shore of Lake Shikotsu, tracing back the marks of pyroclastic flow on the mountainside all the way to Mt. Tarumae, an active volcano. On the way you will encounter untouched nature and enjoy a diversity of the sceneries created by the volcano.
Chitose city
People you’ll meet
No. ED000018 Lake Shikotsu – Mt. Tarumae Caldera Trekking
| Area | Chitose city |
|---|---|
| Length | 8 hours 30 minutes |
| Price | From JPY 22,000 |
| Season | May - October |
| Group size | Minimum: 3 Maximum: 6 |
| Activity level | 3* Mountain climbing 6hours. *August: Level 4 |
| Activities | Mountain climbing 9km |
| Meeting point | Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center |
| Access | From Sapporo Station: 1 hour 10 minutes by car |
| Price includes | • Activity • Activity Guide fee • Insurance |
| Clothing | • Warm/ Windproof/ Waterproof jacket • Trekking shoes • Comfortable and moveable clothing |
| Items to bring | • Backpack • Water bottle • Rain gear • Hat • Sunscreen • Sunglasses • Lunch • portable food *Chocolate, Candy |
Traveler’s Digest
Meet a local guide at Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center. After learning about the background of the area you will proceed to the lakeshore and start trekking.
A large part of the trekking route will be on the ground of a rift that was formed by the accumulation of pyroclastic flow and erosion of hardened tuff of the volcanic eruption a long time ago. Nowadays the high walls of the rift are covered by vibrant green moss. The scenery is truly mystical.
After the rift, you can now see the naked mountainside of Mt. Tarumae. Hiking to the mountain, you can appreciate the magnificent lava dome and smoke rising from the sleeping volcano. The diversity of the changing sceneries is one of the perks of this hiking tour. And finally, from the summit of Mt. Tarumae you can appreciate the stunning view of Lake Shikotsu spreading in front of your eyes.