Autumn foliage on Mt Mugikusa
Hike date: October 4, 2026
After a lot of indecision and checking dubious weather forecasts, I finally decided to head to Mt Mugikusa on the Kiso side of the Central Alps. Mugikusa is a relatively little known peak but is a good workout with around 1,400 metres of elevation gain in around 5.5 km. I was also hoping to see some autumn leaves, which I had heard were emerging at higher altitudes.
The hike starts at a campsite and I began my expedition walking past happy campers eating their breakfast. The trail starts on a forest road that gets steeper and rougher as you progress. After around 300 metres of elevation gain there’s a river crossing, which can become impassable after heavy rain. I successfully crossed around 5 metres of river by treading in slippery rocks, risking a very cold dip at every precarious step. The real hike starts on the other side of the water with an impossibly steep spur heading forever upwards towards Mt Muikusa, and beyond that Mt Kisokoma. After an hour or so of climbing the views began to appear between the trees, and the yellow autumn leaves started at around the 2,300-metre mark. After a little more elevation gain I arrived at the small emergency hut. I turned right at the hut, climbed a little and was hit with an incredible wall of autumn foliage. It was truly spectacular and enhanced the already impressive views of Mt Kisokoma, and of Mts Norikura and Ontake in the distance. It was difficult to tear myself away from the summit area, but I was lucky I did as the clouds rolled in as I descended, enveloping the mountain completely.
Click here for more information about Mt Mugikusa.
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