Some places make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world. Untouched, timeless and filled with stories waiting to be told. This is exactly what I experienced on the Mosopisiek Trail, a remote and breathtaking trek through the highlands of Kween District.
I arrived in Kapchorwa knowing little about this area, except that it was home to spectacular landscapes. But hiking here turned out to be so much more than that. With David, my incredibly knowledgeable guide, leading the way, I explored not just mountains and beautiful nature but also the deep-rooted culture and traditions of the Mosopisiek people.
What followed was a two-day trek filled with surprising encounters, amazing views, ancient caves and insights into a way of life few travelers get to see!
🌿 A Landscape Unlike Any Other
From the very first steps on the trail, I was struck by how different this landscape was from other places I’d hiked in Uganda. Unlike the dense, jungle-covered slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, the highlands of Kween are a patchwork of cultivated fields and open rolling hills, all framed by the towering silhouette of Mount Elgon on one side and the vast, untamed wilderness stretching into the horizon on the other.
As we climbed higher, I was surprised by the well-organized farmland below. From above, the fields looked like a quilt of rectangular plots, each one dedicated to a different crop: maize, millet and potatoes. In the soft golden light of morning, the whole valley seemed to glow.
And then, suddenly, the land dropped away beneath us. A dramatic descent into the lowlands, with rivers, waterfalls and mist-covered forests stretching out far below.
I turned to David, who smiled knowingly. “Not what you expected, right?”
Not at all.
🫂 A Walk Through History and Tradition
As we trekked through remote villages, I quickly realized that this hike wasn’t just about nature. It was about people and history. The Mosopisiek Community welcomed us with warmth and curiosity, greeting David like an old friend and looking at me with friendly interest.
I was especially fascinated by the traditional caves hidden along the trail, some used as ancestral shelters, others as sacred sites for naming ceremonies of special children.
David led me to Mukuuso Cave, the largest and most mysterious of them all. “No one knows its full size,” he told me. “Some say it goes on for over 30 kilometers.”
Sitting at the cave’s entrance, with a waterfall tumbling down in front of us and the dark, yawning cavern behind us, I listened as David told me a chilling story:
"In 1917, a clan war broke out in this region. One group took refuge inside this cave. The entrance was blocked and a fire was lit in the night...they never came out."
I shivered. Not from the cool air inside the cave, but from the weight of its history.
🏡 Unexpected Encounters and Quiet Moments
One of my favorite parts of the trek was the spontaneous interactions with people along the way.
At one point, I asked David if we could find some local snacks. Something simple, like fried cassava or banana pancakes. He took a detour through a small trading center, where we were immediately drawn into greetings, conversations and introductions. Everyone seemed to know David.
We ended up in a tiny hut, barely visible from the outside. Inside, a woman was cooking over charcoal, the air thick with heat and smoke. Soon, five or six other locals joined us, sitting silently, sharing the moment. No words were needed. Just the simple pleasure of a warm meal in good company.
And then there was the moment we met an elder - ‘Mzee’, as David called him - standing alone on a rocky outcrop, staring out over the valley.
“He’s nearly 90 years old,” David whispered.
Something about the way he stood…Silent, still, as if watching over the land, stayed with me long after we moved on.
⛰️ A Summit Worth the Climb
The final stretch of the trail led us uphill, where the land opened up into a high plateau.
Then, all at once, we reached the viewpoint. A breathtaking panorama of Mount Elgon National Park, the distant silhouette of Mount Kadam, and countless waterfalls cascading through the valleys below.
For a long moment, I just stood there, letting the view sink in.
The landscape. The history. The people.
This place felt different. It wasn’t just a hike. It was a step into another world, where nature and tradition have remained almost untouched by time.
✨ A Journey That Stays With You
As I sat on the veranda of David’s home that evening, watching the sun set over the mountains, I realized something.
The Mosopisiek Trail isn’t just about stunning landscapes. It’s about connection. To the land, to the stories and to the natives of this special land.
The next morning, I woke early and helped milk the cows before heading back. Standing there, a cup of hot tea in my hands, watching the sunrise over the highlands, I knew this was an experience I would never forget.
Want to Experience the Mosopisiek Trail for Yourself?
The Mosopisiek Trail is one of Uganda’s most hidden gems, offering a rare blend of adventure, culture and history.
👉🏽 Ready to explore? Ask us at Home of Friends Guesthouse, and we’ll connect you with David for this unforgettable trek!
This blog is published by Daan Oxener, based on an interview with adventure enthusiast Marion from Belgium. Daan is a Dutch social entrepreneur who is based in Kapchorwa since 2016. Daan manages Home of Friends Guesthouse, together with his wife Eliza. He is passionate about documenting Mount Elgon’s beautiful nature and remarkable culture. Daan is also engaged in Community & youth empowerment through adventure tourism.
