Downhill of Norikura Skyline Highway - a road to the skyline

(continued from the previous article)

Let's go downhill of the skyline highway!

[data]
distance　21.4km
maximum difference of an elevation　1,482m
average % of inclination total -6.9% ascent 3.2% descent 7.4%
gained elevation ascent 16m descent 1,482 m
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zVh_vanqLQwc.krY8DdVoYMGI

Brompton and I started a downhill ride from Tatamidaira, with an elevation 2,702 meters, to the Hirayu Hot Spring with an elevation of 1,200 meters. It means approx. 1,500 meters of descending by Brompton.

 

 

There are only scrub thickets and likes because it is beyond forest limit.

Mount Hodaka (H) can be seen.

A long and winding road leads to the sky.

Descending from an alpine zone and arriving at subalpine zone with an elevation of approx. 2300 meters, there is a forest with tall trees.

At the point of an elevation 2032 meters. Kasagatake (2898 meters, K) in the center and Yarigatake(3180 meters, Y) in the right.

Arriving at Hirayu pass. The end of Norikura Skyline highway. Another road continues to Hirayu hot spring.

Let's continue downhill to Hirayu.

I would like to tell you the story of Norikura Skyline Highway. The road was completed in 1942 with 3.6m wide and total extension of 15km from the foot of the mountain. The purpose of the construction was for research and development of warplane engines. It's a history.