The course at a glance The Mt. Aso Hill Climb is a road cycling race up the southern slope of Mt. Aso in Minamiaso, Kumamoto, Japan. The course follows the Aso Panorama Line (阿蘇パノラマライン), a scenic road that winds from the caldera floor up toward the volcano. I live in Kumamoto and have raced it several times, most recently in September 2026, when I finished in 40:56 for 36th of 92 in the Masters 40 category. The start. About 11 km of climbing lies ahead. (Photo: Piufoto) This guide covers what I wish I had known before my first attempt: where the course bites, how to pace it, and how race day works. Item Value Distance About 11.4 km ( Strava segment ) Elevation gain About 600 m Average gradient About 5.3% Steepest parts Around 7–8% for long stretches, almost nothing above 10% Typical finish time About 40 minutes for a mid-pack masters rider There are no brutal walls. The challenge is holding a steady effort for 40 minutes on a climb that tempts you to start too fast. Th...
熊本を拠点に、阿蘇や金峰山を走るロードバイク乗りのブログ。40代半ばからヒルクライムやロードレースに出るようになり、パワーメーターのデータとAIコーチを使って練習とレースを振り返っています。地元の走りやすいルートや補給スポットも紹介。 Road cycling around Kumamoto and Mt. Aso, with course guides in English.