I have been hearing about the Gwanaksan Hiking Trail for long, but this is my first time to get there. It is out of my expectation as it has many trails and the scenery in Autumn is really beautiful. Worth to take a walk in case you are in Seoul.
“The Mapo Oil Depot, a grade 1 security facility which has been strictly prohibited from public access and usage over the past 41 years, has been transformed into an environment-friendly culture space featuring festivals, performances, exhibitions and village markets since September 1, 2017.”
Source: http://english.seoul.go.kr/enjoy-culture-oil-tanks-culture-park/
Please note that this park will be closed on Mondays.
Further ref: http://parks.seoul.go.kr/template/sub/culturetank.do
https://culturetank.blog.me/221353717316
https://www.facebook.com/culturetank/
Map source- http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseSubMain.do?parkId=121000&parkNavGb=guide&menuNo=7020099
This southern part of the Juwansan National Park, unlike other National Parks, there is only one route. However, this route is really spectacular and definitely one of my most favourite trails. I really appreciate various forms of the foliages stemming from the cliffs, and growing along the stream naturally. The trail is relatively primitive or original, therefore it is not well paved and added fun to the walk. The route is all the way along stream so i am a bit curious about the status after heavy rainfall.
I learnt this site from a Korean Film, and it became very popular for local and foreign tourists. As the place is a small one, usually the visitors just stopped by for about 20 mins. Most of the people went there by private cars and thus the traffic got worse in weekends. There are only 4 buses per day going between Jusanji and Juwangsan Bus Terminal, however the bus even did not show up at Jusanji at all during weekend, it was my first time to come across this situation in Korea.
주왕계곡코스 周王溪谷路綫
Map source- http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseSubMain.do?parkId=121000&parkNavGb=guide&menuNo=7020099
As I planned to head to 주산지 in the afternoon, I chose to have a short hike and visited 연화굴 in the morning.
주왕계곡코스 周王溪谷路綫
Map source- http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseSubMain.do?parkId=121000&parkNavGb=guide&menuNo=7020099
I started at the 상의 주차장입구 (Juwangsan bus terminal entrance) where the temple 대전사 is right at the entrance. I chose the yellow and green trails, thus several falls could be visited. After passing the 내원마을 a bit, I made a U-turn for going back.
For going to the Juwansan Bus Terminal, I chose to depart from the Dong Seoul Terminal 동서울중합터미널. This venue is of old-style and looks like 70s building. The 2nd floor is for 고속버스, while the ground floor is for 시외버스. It takes more than 4 .5 hours for going to Juwansan from Seoul, even so, the comfortable seat and beautiful scenery made the journey far more enjoyable than imagined.
Seoraksan is famous for landscape which has been knowing for a long time, and I made a visit there eventually. Even i visited three well known Korea National Parks for autumn foliages before, it was the first time for me to appreciate the fall foliages at the streams, falls and valleys. It was really an rewarding experience.
However, it is a bit strange for this region of the Seoraksan. As famous scenic spot, with numerous visitors for sure, it does have a lot of pensions & guesthouses built, however most of them are worn out, even dumped, so makes the area as if a haunted village. For those still operate, most of them are staying in the 90s era. I could not quite understand why but maybe due to policies, or maybe people just going there for day trip as the hiking courses nearby are not numerous and relatively short.
I returned to East Seoul via the bus departing at the 속초시와버스터미널, which is different from where i was 속초고속버스터미널 at arrival. I chose that because it has a higher frequency of bus heading to Seoul, even though the terminal is a bit far away. Furthermore, as the bus #7-1 would head to these terminals anyway, it seemed more interesting to have 속초downtown sightseeing by bus while going to the farther terminal.
권금성코스 路綫
Map source- http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseSubMain.do?parkId=120400&parkNavGb=guide&menuNo=7020093
This is not a hiking course, strictly speaking, as you can only reach there by cable car. However, the boulders’ surface up there is quite slant and a bit slippery which should be careful.
Avoid going that at weekend and public holidays.
양폭코스 路綫
Map source- http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseSubMain.do?parkId=120400&parkNavGb=guide&menuNo=7020093
After passing the landmark 귀면암 (devil face rock), I did not proceed far due to insufficient time, (as soon as the sun was shielded by the mountains, it became dark and cold), thus i made my turn after passing the metal bridge. On the way back, I took my late lunch while staying at the stream around the 와선대 area. So refreshing and relaxing to listen to the sound of the nature.
올산바위코스 蔚山岩路綫
Map source- http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseSubMain.do?parkId=120400&parkNavGb=guide&menuNo=7020093
비룡폭포 코스 飛龍瀑布路綫
Map source- http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseSubMain.do?parkId=120400&parkNavGb=guide&menuNo=7020093
Three falls could be seen along this hiking course. Via the metal stairs and suspension bridge, to reach the first two were relatively easy. I appreciated the autumn foliages on the boulders, along the valleys and streams most, absolutely stunning.
I landed in Incheon in the evening and took the early bus to 속초 at the Seoul Intercity Bus Terminal 서울시와버스터미널 where the departure frequency was higher, on the way to 속초고속버스터미널, the view of the East Ocean could be seen. I arrived Seoraksan via bus#7-1 at around 1300 and took a brief walk to learn about the area for planning the routes in the coming few days.
Though it was raining, i was learning to appreciate the nature in whatever condition. Only with the rainfall, the flow of stream could be so wide, rapid and glamorous, the misty fog could be hung in there, but, the most important thing was, my skin could be kept moist. As you may know, Seoul, as if a huge dehumidifier installed there, your moisture would be continuously drawing out of your body.
Catherine2018 