Hadano Gravel Ride
Over the years I have ridden over Yabitsu Pass several times and have always had an appreciation for the natural beauty of the Tanzawa Range in spite of its close proximity to the city. As I was snooping around Google Maps I discovered a road between Yabitsu and the Matsuda Rindo that goes from Tanzawa Lake to Matsuda that looked like it would make for a nice gravel ride. This route runs along the Mizunashi River through Tokawa Park back into the mountains behind it. I took this trip in late November when the autumn colors were peaked.
Since converting one of my bikes to a gravel bike I have been a little discouraged in not finding actual gravel routes to ride on. This one proved to be just what my Gravel King tires were needing.
Tokawa Park is graced with a beautiful, long pedestrian suspension bridge that looms over the park providing beauty in its own right and also a beautiful view of the mountains around it. The wide rocky river bed of the appropriately named Mizunashi River runs beneath it. Soon after the park the terrain becomes more rugged and the grades get steeper. The grades aren’t too bad but there is one section with a sign showing 10% as the road climbs up the hillside overlooking the river bottom.
The road passes by Ryujin Spring, one of the natural springs in the area with a reputation for delicious water. It continues climbing back to a place called Shin Kayanosawa which was an outpost of a couple of cabins at a trailhead with trails going up the slopes on either side. It's located on the opposite side of the ridge from Yabitsu Pass. The mountains are pretty rugged back there. Nabewariyama is one valley over on the left and Mount Tanazawa one valley directly behind Mount To, which towers above.
At Kayanosawa the valley opened up exposing a wide bowl that was being drenched by sunshine. It was a nice reward for the climb. The trip from Shibusawa Station to the Shin Kayanosawa is slightly longer than 10 km. Not a long ride but a very pleasant one. There is the option of riding up and over the ridge to intersect the Yabitsu Pass Road (Rt. 70) just before it reaches the pass. I would like to try that one out some time in the future. On this day I was just thankful to find a place for my gravel bike and enjoy the autumn beauty of the Tanzawa Range.
Hadano Gravel Ride Gallery
Slide Presentation
(click to play)