Raining ice (Mt Kyo)

Hike date September 7, 2026

I started out early on my quest to conquer Mt Kyo (Kyogatake) in the northern part of the Central Alps. It was only 3 degrees in the trailhead car park, but there were plenty of cars there despite the cold and the early hour. With an appointment in Matsumoto at lunchtime, I attached my bear spray and immediately headed towards the summit.

The hike begins at the end of a 5-km forest road that branches off the Gonbei Pass on the border of Ina and Shiojiri. The road closes in winter so this was one of my last chances to go there before winter sets in. Already there were signs of the cold season taking its grip on the mountain with ice underfoot and large sections of frozen trees. I hurried up the steep slope, not only because of my afternoon appointment but because of the fierce icy winds that were beating at the trees. Fortunately this hike is mainly under tree cover, but the winds made their way through the gaps and even worse, caused fragments of ice to rain down on the trail as I walked below. It really was painful at some times.

This hike is not one for spectacular views but there are places along the trail from where you can look down on the Ina valley or across to more famous mountains such as Kisokoma to the south, Ontake to the west and the South Alps. Despite the lack of views there is plenty of variety with verdant forest, steep slopes, open slopes, rocky sections and a series of small ups and downs as you make your way along the ridge line to the forested summit. There were also signs of bears with deep scratch marks in some of the trees.

Although the forecast was for clear skies, the weather wasn't listening and the surrounding mountains were shrouded in dark, ominous looking clouds for the entire hike. Still unused to the wintery weather, the summit was so cold that I could barely eat the chocolate I had brought before heading down. Despite the difficult conditions it was a good hike and I was able to head off to my afternoon appointment refreshed.

Check here for more information about Mt Kyo.

Frozen trees on the ridge line

A few cars in the early morning

The sun breaking through

The rising sun over Ina

Some interesting rock formations

The first real view of the day, with thick cloud over Mt Kisokoma

The overnight rain had turned to ice

A mountain slope of frozen trees

Another cold view

The frozen path upwards

It's still autumn in the valley

I finally made it, but it was too cold to stay long

The summit area

More frozen plants

A view back down the mountain as I descended