2026 Mount Sekiro (石老山) Cool Stroll: A Full-Day Course

Spend a day enjoying the cool shade of the deep forest on Mount Sekiro (石老山), which rises south of Lake Sagami (相模湖). Mount Sekiro stands 694 meters tall and is one of the Kanto Hyakumeizan (関東百名山), one of the 100 Famous Mountains of the Kanto Region. The official standard course from Sagamihara City covers 7.3 km and takes about 4 hours on foot. Mysterious boulders such as Byobu-iwa (屏風岩) and Happo-iwa (八方岩) are scattered along the trail, and Kenkyo-ji Temple (顕鏡寺), said to have been founded in the Heian period, stands partway up the mountain. The trail, covered by a grove of cedars, is shielded from the sun, so even in September and October, when the warming climate keeps the heat going, the breeze passing through the shade feels cool and pleasant. Hiking while gazing at the huge boulders feels like a real adventure for children. This course heads from Sagamiko Station (相模湖駅) to the trailhead in the morning, passes the rock caves of Kenkyo-ji Temple (顕鏡寺), and lets you enjoy the shaded ridge trail and the view from the summit at a relaxed pace.