It’s finally green season in Hokkaido, you know what that means – it’s time to dust the cobwebs off our bikes and immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the Niseko’s regional countryside bike trails.
After getting out on the bike, you’ll quickly discover that the Niseko region has something for everybody to explore, and by venturing off the roads on two-wheels you’re given the chance to connect with nature, traverse new landscapes, and witness mountainside scenery that would otherwise be missed in a car ride.
But which routes are most worth checking out? For that answer, we decided to ask long-time Rhythm employee, local legend and 100% bonafide lycra-enthusiast, Tom Phillips, for his take on the best bike trails around the region.
Niseko Bike Trails
While there are countless trails situated around the Niseko region, each offering something different for riders, Tom narrowed down his favourites and took us through the best bike routes for riders of all skill sets wanting to explore the area.
Kutchan Potato Fields
“This loop starts in Kutchan town and gently winds along the Shiribetsu river, leaving the houses behind as your ride into open farmland. While riding along the Shiribetsu, you’ll be able to witness the perfectly manicured fields and volcano rich soil that surround one of Japan’s cleanest rivers.
The course then continues around Kutchan’s grid-system of farmland, with picturesque buildings and the ever-present Mount Yotei acting as a backdrop. In total, the loop is around 35-40 km, but there are many options to cut it shorter for a quicker ride.
There are some undulations as you go around, but the loop is mainly flat, which is why we recommend this course as a beginner-friendly ride. The quiet country roads do not have a lot of traffic, making it a suitable ride for older kids with road safety awareness, but as these are still public roads we would not recommend it for younger or less-experienced kids.
Highlights of the ride would include the impressive views of Mt Yotei and the Niseko United resorts. During early July the potato plants are flowering white and look spectacular on a blue ski day as well.
If you wish to really get the legs moving, we would recommend the Specialized Allez for this route. If you are just out for a leisure ride and want to do a bit of sightseeing then you can take the effort out of the ride by renting our sightseeing e-bikes, the Turbo Vado SL.”
Distance: 35 – 40 km
Difficulty: 3/5
Perfectly Suited For: Specialized Allez or Turbo Vado SL.
Pro tip- “If you time your ride to coincide with the evening golden hour, the views backing over the Annupuri range are truly spectacular in the sunset light.”
Hirafu to Kutchan (Off-Road Ride)
“Starting at St Moritz bridge just below Izumikyo, you can ride an off-road route that tracks between the river and Niseko’s picturesque farmland all the way into Kutchan.
The perfect introduction to off-road riding, this is a car-free and smooth enough gravel ride perfect for enjoying with a cross bike. Most of the route is shaded under a forest canopy, which will help you keep cool on warm summer days.
The course is mostly flat, making it ideal for kids to ride along.
To make things a little easier along this route, we would recommend using the Specialized Rockhopper. The wider tyres on a mountain bike offer a bit more grip and the front suspension smooths out any bumps.”
Distance: 7 km
Difficulty: 2/5
Perfectly Suited For: Specialized Rockhopper
Kutchan River Track
“The perfect ride for kids or those looking to ride on a car-free course. It is an out-and-back course with a maximum distance of around 10 km of flat trails each way. As this route’s starting location, the Kutchan river park, is also home to the local park golf course, families looking for full-day activities will also have the option of stopping for a few rounds of golf!
Along the way you will experience close up views of Mt Yotei, and, if you are lucky, some of the wildlife that can be found along the Shiribetsu river. It’s a popular river for the local rafting companies, so if you time it right you can see the boats tackling the rapids as you ride.”
Distance: 10 km
Difficulty: 1/5
Perfectly Suited For: The Specialized Sirrus.
Pro tip- “Keep an eye out for the breaks in the greenery, there are some little footpaths that give you access to the river when you are looking for a break from riding.”
Yotei Loop
“This classic ride circumnavigates Mt Yotei and allows the rider to experience this magnificent stratovolcano from all angles. Featuring undulating country roads that wind their way through farmland and scenic photo spots, this ride is a treat for anybody undertaking it. There are natural springs at the Fukidashi park in Kyogoku and Makkari to fill your water bottles up before riding on. The course can vary between 45 km to around 60 km depending on if you add on the extra section past the Ostrich farm.
Take the effort out and enjoy the sightseeing with a Turbo Vado e-bike, or challenge yourself by riding under your own steam on the Specialized Allez road bike.”
Distance: 45 – 60 km
Difficulty: 4/5
Perfectly Suited For: Turbo Vado e-bike or Specialized Allez
Pro tip- “Don’t miss the chance to get a double scoop at Niseko Gelato, situated in the Niseko View Plaza there is an amazing selection of flavours all made in-house.”
Goshiki Loop
“For those inspired by the Tour de France and looking for a proper challenge, we recommend tackling the Goshiki loop. This route goes all the way around Mt Annupuri and involves climbing over the mountain pass at Goshiki onsen.
If you go in an anti-clockwise direction from Hirafu, the route will naturally head down all the way to Kutchan. Once you get to the Hanazono Hill climb course section, the windy road will allow you a naturally steady climb offering impressive vistas as you go. Enjoy the plateau and the smell of sulphur coming from the nearby onsen before pointing it downhill.
All of the hard work from the climb is rewarded on the descent down from the top. The wide open roads offer excellent riding while you cruise past the resort locations of Moiwa and the Niseko United ski areas.
We highly recommend a road bike for this route and the Specialized Allez is perfect.”
Distance: 45 – 60 km
Difficulty: 5/5
Perfectly Suited For: Specialized Allez
Pro tip- “After completing the descent, you can stop at the Grand Hotel Niseko to fill your water bottles from natural springs.”
Also in Niseko
Twin Peaks
For those wanting to up the ante with off-road downhill trails, NAMBA have now opened up their highly anticipated Twin Peaks trails, offering visitors and locals alike multiple world-class mountain biking trails suitable for riders of all skill sets.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu – Flow Trail
If you’re around Hirafu this summer, from the 13th of July, you’ll also be able to recreate the tracks that you carved into Grand Hirafu during the winter season with Tokyu Grand Hirafu’s Flow Trail. Known for its steep slopes and variety of curves, Grand Hirafu’s Flow Trail offers riders a variety of trails, all with the convenience of gondola access to get back up top quicker.
Summer Bike Rentals
Keen on exploring Niseko’s bike trails on two wheels this summer? Browse our extended rental range of Specilized e-bikes; e-hybrid, hybrid, full-suspension mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-mountain bikes below.
Prices shown are 1st Day rate. Pictures are indicative only.
