This blog provides travel information about the culture and nature of Korea.

Korea Travel, Ganwoljae Silver Grass Plain on Ganwolisan in Ulsan, Yeongnam Alps Hiking Course and Review

Honestly, when traveling to South Korea, it's such a pity to only visit cities like Myeongdong or Haeundae. If you want to leave an unforgettable photo of a lifetime amidst a sea of silver grass swaying in the wind, this is the answer. Let me introduce the emotional landscape of Ganwoljae, known as the Yeongnam Alps.

Ganwoljae Silver Grass Plain

🎯 Ganwoljae Silver Grass Plain

"Ganwolisan" is located in Ulsan and is called the Yeongnam Alps. It is a ridge located between two brother peaks, Sinbul-san and Ganwolisan, serving as the gateway to the Yeongnam Alps and one of Ulsan's 12 Scenic Wonders. It is a lush silver grass plain covering an area of about 50,000 pyeong (approx. 40 acres), where silver waves rise in autumn and many people visit.

In Ganwoljae, where the ridges of Sinbul-san and Ganwolisan meet, a beautiful silver grass colony unfolds. Here, the Ganwoljae Rest Area, where even the wind rests, and a wide wooden deck provide tourists with beautiful scenery and a resting place.

The most beautiful time is definitely the autumn season from October to November. The wave of silver grass shimmering in silver and gold whenever the wind blows is truly a spectacle. Combined with the open mountain ridge line, it is a unique spot where you can experience the grand nature of Korea with your whole body.

Directions: San 254, Gacheon-ri, Samnam-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan

📊 Main Attractions

🔹 100,000-pyeong Silver Grass Plain - Endless waves of silver grass filling the ridge at an altitude of 900m

🔹 Ganwoljae Rest Area - Warm cup ramen and rest enjoyed at the mountain top

🔹 Yeongnam Alps Ridge - An overwhelming mountain panorama view connecting mountain to mountain

💡If you are curious about operating hours and detailed location, check here in advance!

Ulju Tourism Official Website

📍 Must-Visit Spots

Observation Deck in Front of Ganwoljae Rest Area

This is a terrace space right in front of the rest area, a key point overlooking the entire Ganwoljae silver grass colony at a glance. Photos turn out really well with the open sky and ridges mixed with green and gold as the background.

Wooden Deck Path Going Up Ganwolisan

It is a delicately installed wooden walkway cutting straight through the middle of the silver grass field. It is the best spot to leave emotional lifetime photos while standing between silver grass grown taller than your height, and walking with the sound of the wind feels wonderful.

Ganwoljae Stone Tower Spot

It is a large stone tower area standing proudly in the center of the pass. You can see and experience traditional Korean mountain culture elements where hikers stack stones to pray for safety and happiness.

Ganwoljae Stone Tower Spot

🎡 Things You Must Do Here

These are representative attractions you should never miss once you reach Ganwoljae. Considering the round-trip hiking time, it is recommended to plan a relaxed schedule of at least 3 to 4 hours.

🎡 Recommended Experience List

🔸 Eating summit cup ramen - Tasting warm Instant Noodles sold at the summit rest area (Time required: 20 mins)

🔸 Silver grass field deck path snap photography - Leaving Insta-worthy photos among tall silver grass (Time required: 30 mins)

🔸 Deer Farm Course Trekking - A gentle and well-maintained forest road hiking easy enough for strollers (Time required: 1.5 hours one way)

🔸 Stone monument commemorative proof shot - Verifying your successful climb in front of the 'Ganwoljae 900m above sea level' stone monument (Time required: 10 mins)

💡 Hiking Review

To get to Ganwoljae, you can use a forest road or go hiking. If you use the forest road, you can enter from Deogeualps-ri, Sinbulsan Natural Recreation Forest, etc., and if you go by hiking, you can climb through Ganwolisan or Sinbulsan hiking. If you want to go comfortably, following the forest road is easier than hiking. Since there are no trees at the summit, the wind blows quite strongly, so maintaining body temperature is very important.

🎡 Hiking Courses

🔸 Course ① (Approx. 4 hours): Baenae Public Parking Lot #2 ➔ Deer Farm ➔ Ganwoljae ➔ Ganwolisan ➔ Ganwoljae ➔ Deer Farm ➔ Baenae Public Parking Lot #2

🔸 Course ② (Approx. 4 hours): Yeongnam Alps Trekking Center ➔ Ganwoljae ➔ Sinbulsan ➔ Ganwoljae ➔ Yeongnam Alps Trekking Center

💡Check out the button below for detailed information about the silver grass plain!

View Silver Grass Plain Details

This Yeongnam Alps hike taken with my companions. When we reached our destination, Ganwoljae, the landscape unfolding before our eyes was literally overwhelming enough to make our jaws drop. We chose the course leading to Ganwoljae along the main ridge of Ganwolisan and took our steps step by step.

The starting point of the hike, from Baenaegoge Rest Area to Baenaebong, is about 1.5 km and takes about 1 hour. The ridge path heading to Baenaebong was generally gentle, but perhaps due to the strong wind at high altitude, short trees blended closely together, making it feel like walking on a secret trail.

After a little over an hour from departure, we arrived at Baenaebong at an altitude of 966m. There were no particularly rough sections, but because of the rain that fell a while ago, stones and rocks were quite slippery, requiring caution with every step.

Stepping carefully on the rocks, we finally stood on the summit of Ganwolisan at an altitude of 1,069m. In front of the summit stone monument, a long line of people was waiting to take commemorative photos. Actually, rather than the proof shots taken with heart, my eyes kept being stolen by the cool open surrounding mountain scenery and the ridge views.

summit of Ganwolisan

Passing the summit of Ganwolisan, we finally entered today's highlight, the Ganwoljae silver grass field. This pass, comfortably nestled between Sinbulsan and Ganwolisan, is said to have been a path crossed by old merchants and peddlers moving to and from markets, as well as a livelihood space where residents cut silver grass to roof their houses. Hearing stories that it was sometimes used as a Catholic hideout and sometimes as a partisan activity site, I felt the deep breath of history dwelling in the scenery that had only seemed beautiful.

The front of the stone tower announcing Ganwoljae was also crowded with people trying to leave precious memories. Perhaps because the mountain wind was quite chilly, long lines formed at the rest area to buy hot ramen and snacks to add warmth. Since there were not enough tables inside the rest area, it was nice to see everyone gathering in groups of three and five in nearby empty spots or on the lawn to enjoy their meals warmly.

Climbing the uphill path heading toward Sinbulsan, I captured the full view of Ganwoljae at a glance. The dazzling silver grass field created by the harsh wind, and the footprints of people who would have crossed this steep pass risking danger for survival since ancient times... It was a wonderful day that left a heavy lingering impression deep in my heart along with the sound of the wind.

💡 Key Points

🔸 When climbing Ganwoljae, choosing the Deer Farm Course starting from Baenae Public Parking Lot #2 is the gentlest and most comfortable.

🔸 Cup ramen sales at the rest area usually end around 4:00 PM, so it is best to arrive at the summit before 2:00 PM at least.

📋 Pre-visit Checklist

The rest area located at the mountain summit has somewhat short operating hours and payment methods may be limited, so preparing in advance is much more beneficial.

🔸 Windproof Jacket - Prepare for 900m altitude wind

🔸 Some Cash - Prepare for credit card errors at the rest area

🔸 Comfortable Running Shoes - Prepare for at least 3 hours of walking

🔸 Drinking Water and Light Snacks - Hydrate during hiking

If you want to leave the complex city and fully enjoy Korea's charming natural mountain scenery, Ganwoljae will never be a decision you regret. Grab a light jacket and comfortable running shoes, and set off on an unforgettable memory trip into the silver grass waves!