Its topography is gentle on the south and steep on the north; and in terms of water systems, it is the central divide between the Yura-gawa Water System which flows into the Sea of Japan, and the Kako-gawa Water System which flows into Seto Inland Sea.
南方に緩やかに、北方に急峻な地形であり、水系としては日本海へ注ぐ由良川水系と瀬戸内海に注ぐ加古川水系とに分かれる中央分水嶺となっている。