Mountain bike tour Nopporo Forest Park from Sapporo: Small group

Cycle through old-growth forest where deer and the world's largest woodpecker live.

A small-group mountain bike tour through Nopporo Forest Park, a wildlife sanctuary on Hokkaido near Sapporo, where you ride a mostly flat dirt loop trail for 1.5 hours spotting native animals and birds. The guide is English-speaking and local. Transport by air-conditioned minivan, bike rental, helmet and gloves are all included. The tour runs April through October, with groups capped at 10 riders.

The experience

You start with pickup from your Sapporo hotel or the train station in an air-conditioned minivan, then ride about an hour to Nopporo Forest Park. Once there, you're fitted with a mountain bike, helmet and gloves, and the guide walks you through basic safety and riding skills before you set out on the loop trail. The course is mostly dirt road on flat terrain, so it's built for riders with moderate fitness rather than technical skill.

The 1.5-hour ride covers roughly 6 miles through old-growth forest where the park's 140 bird species live, including the kumagera, a black woodpecker so large its beak can be heard across the whole forest. You'll likely spot deer, squirrels, Japanese hares and native foxes moving through the trees. The trail also passes mountain tracks used by experienced racers for practice, and you can stop at the 100-meter Hokkaido Centennial Memorial Tower to see the panoramic view of Sapporo from outside the observatory. The route may shift depending on road conditions, but the guide handles the navigation.

After the ride, you return to Sapporo by minivan and are dropped at your hotel or the train station. Bring your own water, wear long sleeves and long pants (jeans aren't recommended), and pack sunglasses and a windbreaker if you're going in spring or fall. The tour runs only April through October.

What’s included

• Mountain bike, helmet and gloves.
• round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan from Sapporo.
• hotel pickup and drop-off or train station pickup and drop-off.
• professional English-speaking local guide.
• all taxes and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:30Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Giro 21

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guided ride through forest scenery without steep climbs: the flat terrain and small group of 10 keep the pace manageable for mixed abilities.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the riding difficulty on this mountain bike tour?

The course is mostly flat dirt road on a loop trail designed for riders with moderate fitness. You get basic instruction from the guide before you start, so prior mountain biking experience isn't required.

What animals might I see in Nopporo Forest Park?

Nopporo Forest is home to 140 bird species, including the kumagera (black woodpecker), plus deer, squirrels, Japanese hares, Hokkaido salamanders and native foxes. Wildlife sightings depend on the day and time of year.

How long is the actual bike ride, and how far do we cover?

The ride itself lasts 1.5 hours and covers approximately 6 miles (10 km) on the loop trail through the forest.

What's included in the tour price?

Mountain bike, helmet and gloves; round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan from Sapporo; pickup and drop-off at your hotel or the train station; and a professional English-speaking local guide.

When does this tour run, and how many people go on each ride?

The tour operates seasonally from April through October. Groups are limited to a maximum of 10 riders, keeping the experience personalized and manageable on the trail.

What should I bring and wear for the bike ride?

Wear comfortable long sleeves, long pants and exercise-appropriate shoes (jeans aren't recommended). Bring your own water, sunglasses or eye protection, and a windbreaker jacket if you're riding in spring or fall.