Usui Pass (Old National Route 18)

A 14.23 km climb gaining about 580 m on Old Route 18, also used by the official 2026 Usui Pass Maple Hill Climb. ## Overview The road winds from Annaka toward the Nagano border past Lake Usui and the Megane Bridge. Ride only on vehicular Old National Route 18. The parallel Apt no Michi railway-heritage trail prohibits riding bicycles; bicycles may only be walked there. ## Climb analysis The API average is 4.0%, showing a long steady climb rather than a wall. Km 10.34–12.34 is about 5.8%, and the hardest sustained 500 m is about 6.9%. The 21.1% maximum is a brief data spike. ## Riding tips - Stay on Old Route 18 and never ride onto Apt no Michi. - Keep an aerobic tempo early. - Do not cross the centre line through its 184 bends. - Slow near viewpoints and parked cars. - Descend cautiously over wet leaves and gravel.