Mt. Maapee
Our second hike on the Ishigaki Island: Mt. Maapee.
It has a modest height of 230m with two hiking paths to the top: the longer one takes 45 minutes and the shorter one just 15 minutes! Sounds more like a stroll in the park. The local recommended the short one because the longer path is not clearly marked.
Its distinctive rocky peak is visible from far and we wondered how we can get up there in mere 15 min….
After missing the first sign, we reoriented ourselves and arrived at the real trailhead via a dense forest management road curiously observed by a wild pheasant.
From the beginning it was quite a climb in the dense forest and bamboo bushes but with the ropes we got up easily. Soon, we found ourselves getting out of the forest and on the rocky top.
From here there is a breathtaking 360-degree view of Ishigaki Island! The dense green forest flows down to the emerald blue water and the peninsula stretches out to the north. Several hikers came and went, and we stayed on a long time, perked on the rock gazing at the mesmerizing panorama.
Fly, Hike & Travel. 