Explore/Japan/JP 26/Mount Hiei Driveway — Kyoto to Lake Biwa Sacred Mountain
JPKyoto, JapanModeratePaved

Mount Hiei Driveway — Kyoto to Lake Biwa SacredMountain.

Distance
60 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
850 m
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Curated by Rider · Updated Aug 2026
Overview

Mount Hiei Driveway — Kyoto to Lake Biwa Sacred Mountain.

A short but sacred ride from Kyoto over Mt Hiei on the Hieizan Driveway, past the 1,200-year-old Enryaku-ji temple complex, descending to Hiyoshi Taisha and the shore of Lake Biwa at Otsu.

Quick facts

SurfacePaved
Distance60 km
Days1
Total climb850 m
DifficultyModerate
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Day-by-day

The route.

ROUTE
5 stops
Start
KyotoStart · Start in Kyoto and head northeast toward Mt Hiei, the sacred mountain that guards the old capital's vulnerable quarter.
Pass
Mount Hiei SummitMountain Pass · Ride the Hieizan Driveway to the 848m summit - Kyoto spread out on one side, Lake Biwa shining on the other.
Scenic
Enryaku-ji TempleScenic Point · The 1,200-year-old head temple of Tendai Buddhism, razed by Oda Nobunaga in 1571 and rebuilt. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Scenic
Hiyoshi Taisha, SakamotoScenic Point · Descend the Okuhiei Driveway to Sakamoto and Hiyoshi Taisha, the monkey-guarded head of some 3,800 Hie and Sanno shrines.
End
Otsu - Lake BiwaEnd · End in Otsu on the shore of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, with Mt Hiei reflected in the water.

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