ECHIGO COUNTRY TRAIL 2026

The Echigo Country Trail begins and ends at Oguni Forest Park in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, featuring 2.5 km, 22 km, and 63 km race options. The longest race follows a mountain-country route, not solely a forest path. ITRA categorizes its terrain as 71% paths, 11% tracks, and 18% roads, with a Mountain Level of 4 and a finisher level of 400. The 63 km route connects villages, historic mountain trails, and elevated areas surrounding Oguni. It proceeds east across Oguni Pass and Joyama Mountain towards Tokimizu and Hakusan Athletic Park in Ojiya City, then heads west towards Mt. Yaishi, the highest peak in Oguni Town. Organizers note that many of these trails are ancient routes historically used for daily travel between communities. The event also highlights local Niigata cuisine, offering aid station provisions and regional specialties like Nagaoka ginger soy sauce ramen, okaki and senbei rice crackers, and Kaki no Tane, which originates from the area.