Diamond Trail Part 2: Mt. Yamato-Katsuragi to Mt. Kongo

The Diamond Trail is a 50 km-long ridge trail from the Kongō Mountain Range to the Izumi Mountain Range, established by Osaka Prefecture in 1970. Many hikers enjoy this popular trail, and we are organizing a four-part series to complete the entire route—why not challenge yourself to finish it? In the second session, we will ascend Mount Yamato-Katsuragi, the highest peak in Osaka, from the ropeway trailhead. From there, we will traverse over Mizukoshi Pass and continue to Mount Kongo, which holds the highest point in Osaka. The total hiking distance is approximately 14 km, with a cumulative elevation gain of 1,500 m. The descent to Mizukoshi Pass followed by the climb back up to Mount Kongo makes this a challenging course. This is a great opportunity to level up your mountain skills and build endurance for Alpine ridge hikes. Both mountain summits have shops where you can enjoy snacks and refreshments during the traverse. The third session is scheduled for mid-May (Mount Kongo to Kimi Pass), and the fourth session in early June (Kimi Pass to Maki-O Mountain). Participants who complete all four Diamond Trail events will receive an exclusive Hikers' Completion Sticker as a special reward!