Gyeryongsan was designated as South Korea's second national park. Centered around its highest peak, Cheonhwangbong (847m), it consists of 16 distinct peaks. Since it is perfect for a one-day trek, it attracts hikers all year round. The actual summit, Cheonhwangbong, is restricted due to military installations, so hikers head to Gwanumbong Peak as the practical summit.

The course I took this time is my absolute favorite, as it offers a balanced mix of uphill and downhill sections, passing through Sambulbong Peak, Jayeonseongneung (Natural Fortress Ridge), and Gwanumbong Peak. Since I adjusted my pace to match my wife, who joined me for this hike, it took a bit longer than usual, but I am incredibly grateful to her for completing the journey safely~~

*You can click on the image to view an enlarged map.

The parking lot is quite spacious, and the fee is 4,000 KRW per day. Although the cultural asset admission fee for national parks has been waived, the parking fee remains the same. Given the space and maintenance required, it makes perfect sense, right?

Passing through the shopping area near the Donghaksa entrance, we headed up toward the Cheonjeonggol Trailhead to make our way to Nammaetap. These days, forest fires seem to happen almost daily, causing tragic human casualties and devastating damage to nature... Since spring is dry and windy, everyone needs to be extra careful about preventing wildfires.

About an hour after starting, we arrived at Nammaetap, a pair of historic pagodas at a mountain hermitage. They are also known as the "Brother and Sister Pagodas" (Ounui-tap), but their official name is the 'Five-story Stone Pagoda at Cheonryangsa Temple Site, Gongju.'

Gyeryongsan Hiking, Nammaetap Pagodas

To climb up to Sambulbong Peak, you have to tackle these steep stone steps. If you take a half-hearted rest at the Nammaetap resting area, your legs might actually lock up and lose strength. When you rest, make sure you relax fully so your muscles can recover. For reference, I prefer not to sit down; instead, I stand and walk around lightly to help my legs recover.

To reach the actual top of Sambulbong Peak, you climb all the way up the steep ridge and conquer one final set of iron stairs. It’s not very long, but since everyone’s legs are already drained from the previous stone steps, this part always makes people huff and puff haha.

Stairs Climbing up to Sambulbong Peak

Standing atop Sambulbong Peak, the main ridge of Gyeryongsan and the panoramic views of nearby Daejeon and Sejong City unfold right before your eyes. The sweeping view instantly clears your mind, cools down your sweat, and makes you completely forget all the exhaustion.

Looking back at Sambulbong Peak and the sweeping mountain ridges while heading toward Gwanumbong Peak. The weather was exceptionally clear today, making the scenery absolutely breathtaking~

To get to Gwanumbong Peak, you must cross this section called Jayeonseongneung. Just past the safety railings lies a near-vertical cliff. The ridge earned this name because its natural shape closely resembles a fortress wall ("Seongneung"). This section is one of the most hazardous trails in Gyeryongsan National Park, so children and the elderly must take extra care with safety.

We have finally arrived at Gwanumbong Peak! I'm not sure when it started, but there is now a waiting line at the summit just to take a commemorative photo. Since the weather was beautiful today and there were many group hikers, the line was exceptionally long. We took a brief rest at Gwanumbong Peak, recharging our energy with the packed lunch and drinks we brought along.

From this point on, the trail is almost entirely downhill, leading past Eunseon Falls all the way to Donghaksa Temple. The initial section takes you down wooden decks, followed by steep steps built from rugged rocks. Downhills can often be trickier and more dangerous than uphills, so take your time and descend with caution.

This is Eunseon Falls, where a thin, delicate stream of water cascades down. The height of Eunseon Falls is roughly 50 meters, making it incredibly tall for a waterfall tucked away deep in a mountain. If the weather is dry, you might not see any water at all, but today we were drawn in by the sound of a cool, refreshing stream. We took a short break to enjoy the waterfall and the surrounding scenery.

Passing the waterfall, I looked out at the distant mountains turning into a wave of light green. I absolutely love this shade of light green when the leaves just begin to sprout. While the deep green of mid-summer is wonderful, the freshness and youthfulness of this spring green catches my eye much more.

The sunlight filtering down onto the peaceful mountain path, the leaves swaying gently in the wind, and the spring flowers blooming beneath every footstep... After looping around Gyeryongsan Mountain, my body felt tired, but my mind and soul felt completely light and refreshed. Before this beautiful season passes by, I highly recommend taking a walk through nature to experience the pure, vibrant energy that Gyeryongsan has to offer.🌿