/
Japan
/
Sapporo
/
Tours & Activities
/
Lake Shikotsu Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo
1 day
About this activity
After morning pickup by air-conditioned minivan, you’re driven to the Chitose trailhead, located approximately 1.5 hours away from Sapporo.
Once you’re fitted with a mountain bike, helmet and gloves, you’ll hear safety precautions and biking tips for moderately skilled cyclists. Then follow your guide along the pristine waters of the lower Chitose River toward Lake Shikotsu, immersing yourself in the natural splendor of Hokkaido.
Soon the dirt and pebble path veers off into beautiful woods of white birch, taking you uphill for approximately 1.5 hours — a distance of 9 miles (15 km). Arriving at a clifftop, stop at a hydroelectric plant to enjoy views of the upper Chitose before continuing another 3 miles (5 km) to Lake Shikotsu.
With a 24-mile (40-km) circumference and a maximum depth of about 1,180 feet (360 meters), the volcanic Lake Shikotsu is the second-deepest lake in Japan and boasts some of the country’s best-quality water. Enjoy the tranquil surroundings and views of neighboring volcanoes — Mt Eniwa, Mt Tarumae and Mt Fuppushi — from the shore, and pose for a group photo.
Take an hour of free time to purchase lunch (own expense) at one of the lakeside restaurants. Choose from many options, including ones serving freshwater salmon (sushi or sashimi), hamburgers made with Hokkaido beef, or traditional Japanese plates like ramen and curry.
Afterward, you can choose your return route, based on your skill level and energy. Select the mountain path for a moderate, off-road downhill course with more challenges and occasional uphill climbs, or ride through the woods on an entirely downhill slope; both options travel 15 miles (25 km) along a pebble road for approximately two hours past streams and across bridges.
Note: If at any time the pace is too fast, you can ask your guide to slow down, take a break or even shorten the course.
Enjoy panoramic mountain views and possible animal sightings — including Ezo deer, Hokkaido native foxes and raccoon dogs — before your small group returns to the Chitose area. Then hop off your mountain bike and relax during the comfortable drive back to Sapporo or New Chitose Airport.
Read more
Show less
Once you’re fitted with a mountain bike, helmet and gloves, you’ll hear safety precautions and biking tips for moderately skilled cyclists. Then follow your guide along the pristine waters of the lower Chitose River toward Lake Shikotsu, immersing yourself in the natural splendor of Hokkaido.
Soon the dirt and pebble path veers off into beautiful woods of white birch, taking you uphill for approximately 1.5 hours — a distance of 9 miles (15 km). Arriving at a clifftop, stop at a hydroelectric plant to enjoy views of the upper Chitose before continuing another 3 miles (5 km) to Lake Shikotsu.
With a 24-mile (40-km) circumference and a maximum depth of about 1,180 feet (360 meters), the volcanic Lake Shikotsu is the second-deepest lake in Japan and boasts some of the country’s best-quality water. Enjoy the tranquil surroundings and views of neighboring volcanoes — Mt Eniwa, Mt Tarumae and Mt Fuppushi — from the shore, and pose for a group photo.
Take an hour of free time to purchase lunch (own expense) at one of the lakeside restaurants. Choose from many options, including ones serving freshwater salmon (sushi or sashimi), hamburgers made with Hokkaido beef, or traditional Japanese plates like ramen and curry.
Afterward, you can choose your return route, based on your skill level and energy. Select the mountain path for a moderate, off-road downhill course with more challenges and occasional uphill climbs, or ride through the woods on an entirely downhill slope; both options travel 15 miles (25 km) along a pebble road for approximately two hours past streams and across bridges.
Note: If at any time the pace is too fast, you can ask your guide to slow down, take a break or even shorten the course.
Enjoy panoramic mountain views and possible animal sightings — including Ezo deer, Hokkaido native foxes and raccoon dogs — before your small group returns to the Chitose area. Then hop off your mountain bike and relax during the comfortable drive back to Sapporo or New Chitose Airport.
Included
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Mountain bike, helmet and gloves for rental
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- New Chitose Airport pickup and drop-off
- Sapporo train station pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- All taxes and handling charges
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Minimum age is 10 years
- Recommended height is 1.45m (4.75 foot) or taller
- A maximum of 10 people per booking
- Please wear a comfortable long sleeve shirt, long pants and shoes suitable for exercising. Jeans are not recommended
- Sunglasses or some kind of eye protection are recommended
- Please bring your own water (rental bikes have water-bottle holder)
- Windbreaker jacket is recommended during spring and fall season
- The mountain bike course may be changed due to road conditions
Features
Tourism
65%
Sport
60%
Cultural
25%
Reviews
Similar activities in Sapporo
Click to discover other experiences
Jun-sen was very professional. He picked me up from the hotel in Sapporo city, and sent me back safely after the ride. On the way back to the hotel, he detoured to a river to watch Salmons swimming upstream only September period. The mountain bike I rode was new only one month young and good. Highly recommended.
Highly Recommended! If you like nature trails, then this is for you! You ride approximately 20 km along a pretty flat paved trail to Lake Shikotsu, once there, you are free to look around, take some pictures, etc. The lake has a special tint to it, very nice. After that, grab some lunch in the nearby town (on your own, average sets around 1000 Yen), then head back on the original trail for a little bit and take some forest roads after that back to the original start point. The guide can vary the degree of terrain on the way back, so just ask. This is a full day trip, and you will get back to Sapporo around 4-5 pm.