Yukuhashi to Beppu

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行橋市, 福岡県, JP

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Route Overview

Ian Dagnall

Keichiku Rides

75 mi.

6,940 ft.

This route takes you from Yukuhashi Station down to Beppu Station. It's possible to go straight down on Route 10 but for the most part it's a busy, soulless dual-carriage way. This is a much hillier but hopefully more interesting route taking in some great scenery and quiet roads.

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Route Details

This is a scenic route from Yukuhashi Station to Beppu Station taking in a bit of eveything; costal plain, @photo[river valleys](3237710), @photo[forest roads](3237725), @photo[a couple of decent climbs](3237748) (if you don't like climbing, this isn't the route for you), and a @photo[highland plateau](3237756).  The route mainly follows quiet country roads but there are a couple of sections on main roads, particularly the descent into Beppu.  It is possible to ride the route year round, although there may be snow in the highland areas in winter, and the area can be affected by typhoons from July to October.  It's worth taking extra care in the hills for a few days after heavy rain due to debris and landslides.  The only other thing to watch out for is the wildlife; you'll probably come across deer and possibly boar and monkeys in the hills so a bit of caution on the descents is wise.  Anyone of average fitness should be okay with this route - just make sure you've got plenty of water - especially in the summer.

The route takes you out from Yukuhashi Station and along the @photo[back roads to Toyotsu](3237779). Going through Toyotsu you go past @poi[Buzen Kokubunji Pogoda](5361384) and then follow route 238 out to Chikujo.  The route follows the back roads along the plain passing through a fishing village before turning inland through the rice fields, the sea on your left, and the hills surrounding Mount Hiko to your right.

Turning towards the hills the route follows Route 102 along the  Arita River then over @photo[a small pass](3237708) to the Yamakuni River valley.  There's a short tunnel at the top of the pass and legally you need lights to go through it.  The route follows the river into the town of Yabakei, an area of natural beauty in the Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi Nation Park.  On the way through the town you pass the @poi[@photo[Dutch Bridge](3241089)](5361428) and then go through @poi[Aonodomon](5361430).  If you need food for the rest of the ride, Yabakei is the last place to get anything until Beppu.  There's a bakery on the other side of @photo[Dutch Bridge](3246461), and a 7/11 just down from the traffic lights when you cross route 212.  It's also worth taking a quick detour over the river just after you go through @photo[Aonodomon](3246460) to take in the @photo[view of the gorge](3246458).

After Aonodomon you take a short section of footpath (it's wide and well paved) along the river to Rakanji - a temple carved into the hillside and  @photo[Fururakan](3246459) - small stone buddhas under a cliff overhang - that are well worth a visit if you have time.

From Rakanji join Route 500 and onto Route 667 for the climb over to Usa.  The climb is about 8km, the for the the first 4km it's pretty gentle as you follow the river valley, but it ramps up as you get to the @photo[top of the valley](3237713) and into the forest.  From there it averages about 9% to the top.  The road is narrow and twisty but you'll be unlucky if see a car.  The @photo[road down](3237725) in to Usa is similar - steep and narrow at the top with the gradient easing off as you come back into civilisation (a few hamlets).  I'd advise taking it easy on the way down as it's a narrow road and the corners are quite tight.

At the junction with Route 27, the route takes you on a forest road over to Route 387.  The forest road is paved and in good condition although there can be quite a lot of leaf fall.  The climb is steep (10%) but it's only a kilometre long.  There are some @photo[great views](3237733) over the hills on the way down. Again, this isn't a descent for racing down.  At the bottom you turn onto Route 387.  There's a vending machine outside the shop just to the left of the junction.  If you're in need of water get it here - there's not much else until after the next big climb.

On R387 you climb along the side of a valley via a few viaducts  to @photo[Usa Machu Picchu](3237743).  There are @photo[cracking views from the viaducts](3237741) and a viewing platform at Usa Machu Pichhu.  R387 isn't especially busy but again, a lot of heavy lorries use the road and they don't always want to slow down on the climb.

From Usa Machu Picchu it's a really steep descent through a hamlet and then a farm road to the other side of the valley.  It's all paved and in good condition but @photo[it is STEEP](3237746).  Across the other side, you're onto Route 409 and a 6.5km climb up too Hiju.  The climb takes you through really @photo[narrow valley](3237748) with some great views back and then through a forest.  Again, it's narrow and fairly steep.  There's @poi[one vending machine for drinks](5371127) about half-way up.  From the top of the climb there's a short descent to Hiju and a @photo[completely different landscape](3237753).

Depending on the season, you'll be greeted by brilliant green grass (summer),  a sea of yellow / brown (winter) or a scorched moonscape (late February/ Early March).  The route follows Route 679 along the edge of the Hiju Firing Range.  The road is fairly up and down but the climbs are never more than a kilometre or so.  At the end of Route 679 you turn onto Route 50 then right onto an unnamed road.  If you want to go down into Yufuin, stay on Route 50 and it will take you to the egde of the town centre.

Staying on the route, you might catch glipmses of Mt Yufu through the woodland, but after you join Route 617, you certainly will.  At the junction with Route 616 there's @poi[a cafe](5371126) but don't rely on it being open.  The next part of the route runs pretty much parallel to the Oita expressway.  The route generally sticks to the minor road rather than R616 just because the views are slightly better.

From R616 you join Route 500.  This road gets a lot of tour buses and lorries, especially after Beppu Wan interchange. Bar one short climb, it's downhill though, so you can keep up a good pace.   The route turns left off R500 but it worth stopping for a moment at the junction to @poi[take in the view](5371125) over Beppu.  The next section takes you through seven switchbacks, and if the smell of hot springs hasn't assaulted your senses yet, it alomst certainly will now.  If you've got time, it's worth having a look at @photo[some of](3241086) @photo[the hells](3241085) on the way through town.

The route is now downhill to Beppu station.  The roads in Beppu can be really busy at times but the main roads have bike lanes in places.  It's easy to get a good speed going down the hill but watch out for cars coming out of blind junctions and carparks.

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Beppu but even if you're only passing through, it's worth going for a hot spring to refresh the legs - it's what Beppu is famous for, after all.

The route leaves you at Beppu Station and there's some food options in there if you're in need of some calories.

If you're planning on using the train, remember you'll need a bike bag.  From Beppu some other good places to cycle to are Yufuin, Yunohira, Kuju, Oguni, Hita and Aso.

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Yukuhashi to Beppu

Route Overview

Route Details

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