About
Kurama Mountain's Yuki Pass is a connector trail linking the villages of Kurama and Kibune in Japan. It is a walk through the hills rather than a summit climb, and it suits visitors who want to spend an unhurried part of a day among trees and running water.
What the walk is like
The route passes through forests where maple trees are dominant. In season their leaves turn crimson and scarlet, which gives the path much of its character. Mountain streams run alongside and past the trail, and small waterfalls appear along the way, adding sound and movement to the scenery.
- Trail type: a connector between two villages, walked point to point
- Main features: maple forest, mountain streams, small waterfalls
- Best suited to: walkers who enjoy quiet woodland and natural scenery
Planning your visit
Because the pass links two villages, many visitors plan the walk as part of a wider outing in the area. Kurama and Kibune are both reached by public transport from the surrounding city, so the walk can begin or end in either place, depending on how you prefer to travel. Wear footwear suited to uneven paths, and allow time to stop at the streams and falls along the way.
If you enjoy forest walks with water and changing colour, the Yuki Pass offers a pleasant half-day or longer, and a chance to see another side of the mountains around Kyoto.
