（click on map to enlarge）
One of the most popular rides for cyclists in the Kanagawa area is Yabitsu Pass on highway 70 between Hadano and Miyagase Lake. The road winds through the Tanzawa mountains along the Nakatsu River. It is surprising how naturally beautiful it is given its close proximity to the city. The pass itself is a little less than 800 meters. It is right next to Oyama, a popular location for hikers.
You can either approach the pass from the north or the south. The southern approach is steeper than the northern one. I prefer it though because the view from the switchbacks is nice all the way up as it winds through some beautiful forests. It seems like a waste of good scenery to rush by it in a few minutes on a speedy descent. I find that riding either way gives you a completely different experience.
From the south, the steepest part of the climb comes right at the beginning, as you are approaching the forest. In the summer Hadano is in a basin that holds the heat. There is a restroom next to the bus stop just before the switchbacks begin that is a good place to cool down before you get into the forest. About half way up there's a place called Nanohana View Terrace that has an observation tower offering a beautiful view of both the ocean and up towards Mt. Fuji. There is a restroom on top of the pass and a small store that really doesn't seem to sell anything but what they have in the vending machines out front. It's more of an information center for hikers and campers.
The approach from the north starts at Miyagase Lake, a large lake formed by the dam by the same name. You can climb up to the lake from Atsugi on Hwy 64 or take a more gradual climb up highway 412 to the dam. Once you turn onto highway 70 at the lake the road follows one of the fingers of the lake and quickly enters a beautiful forest along the river. There are a few campgrounds and lodges along the way but, for the most part, it's a pretty undeveloped. On weekdays the road is very quiet but weekends bring more cars and motorcycles.
Hwy 70 route suffered some severe typhoon damage a couple years ago but now is completely restored. Yabitsu continues to be a real treasure for cyclists in the Kanagawa area. It's one of my favorite routes.
Yabitsu Gallery (click on photo)
