Erosion of mountain hiking trail over a seven-year period in Daisetsuzan National Park, Central Hokkaido, Japan

Erosion of mountain hiking trails was investigated in Daisetsuzan National Park over a seven-year period. The amount and rate of erosion were different in the two typical landscape components. Cross-section diagrams revealed that trail depth became deeper in snowy vegetated areas than in wind-beaten bare ground areas. The existence and timing of runoff from snowmelt seemed to be important to differential erosion. Trail slope is another factor contributing to erosion. Needle ice or saturation of surface soil appeared to cause side wall erosion. Installation of ropes along the trails made hikers stay on the trail, helping to mitigate erosion.