Wandering Togakushi's nature paths
あふれている駐車場で言えば、戸隠で散策のほとんど皆は杉並び木を通って、奥社へ行ってくるだけ。戸隠の代表の散策ですが、余裕のある方は周辺の散歩コースもぜひ、お勧めです。以前は森林植物園や鏡池を散策した。今回は戸隠牧場から奥社の手間の随神門までの「ささやきの小径」を息子たちと通りました。
ささやきの小径は広葉樹林、カラマツ林、モミの木林、それぞれの林を通って、歩いて６０分のコースです。帰りは奥社の参道を下って、キャンプ場へ行く径で戻りました。
奥社への道は自然の力が感じて、最高ですが、その道から一歩入って、また違う、静かな自然の世界に入れます。
Judging by the overflowing parking lot at the trailhead, the walk to Okusha (Inner Shrine) is the most popular in Togakushi. However, taking a step beyond the beaten path will bring you to an entirely different, and much quieter, natural realm. In the past, our family has gone for walks in the Togakushi Nature Reserve and around Kagami-Ike ('Mirror Pond'). This time, the boys and I walked along the Sasayaki no Komichi trail from the Togakushi Bokujo (Pasture) to the Zuijinomon Gate at the start of the massive cedar tree-lined section of the trail to Okusha.
The Sasayaki course takes you through broad leafed deciduous forests, groves of larch trees, and several other different microclimates all in the space of a short, 60-minute walk. You can make a loop out of it, by walking down from Zuijinmon and following the side path at the trailhead back to the Togakushi Campground.
The walk to Okusha is Togakushi's premier hike, but for those with the extra time, the side hikes are really rewarding.
