Mt. Mihirayama Hiking Trail
This loop trail leads to the summit of Mt. Mihirayama and back, following a 4.5-kilometer route that requires slightly less than two hours to complete. Alternatively, hikers can retrace their steps from the summit, shortening the time to about 80 minutes. The trail gains a gentle 300 meters in elevation, so it is suitable for hikers of most ages and skill levels.
Mt. Mihirayama (1,010 m) straddles the border of Tottori and Okayama Prefectures, giving sweeping views of Daisen-Oki National Park. North from the summit, hikers can see Mt. Daisen (1,729 m), the highest peak in the Chūgoku region. To the northeast lies the distinctive triple-peaked ridgeline of the Hiruzen Sanza. Due east are the rolling Hiruzen Highlands and the Hiruzen Basin, cradling the city of Maniwa.
The trail passes through conifer and oak forests, surrounding hikers with beautiful foliage in every season. The summit and southern side of Mihirayama are covered by broad fields of bamboo grass and silvergrass.
In 1898 the Japanese army enclosed 2,300 hectares of the Hiruzen grasslands to raise and train horses as mounts. Remnants of the earthen walls that kept those prized steeds from roaming run alongside the trail in places, though tall grass largely obscures them.