To obtain the subject compound without impairing its optical activity in short steps using commercially easily available materials by hydrolyzing optically active hexahydro-3H-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-3-one.

This production process comprises the following steps. Optically active N-benzyloxy-carbonylpipecolic acid is reacted with an aluminum hydride compound, e.g. lithium aluminum hydride or a borane compound, e.g. borane- dimethyl sulfide complex in the presence of an acid to form optically active hexahydro-3H-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-3-one. The resultant compound is then mixed with a base, e.g. potassium hydroxide and water, and hydrolyzed at 0-180°C to give the objective optically active 2-piperidinemethanol. The optically active N-benzyloxycarbonylpipecolic acid is a commercially easily available compound.