Korea has plenty of great mountains for hiking. What’s even better is the ease of access—many mountains are reachable by city bus or subway. Last Saturday, I joined a hiking group to visit Soyosan Mountain in Dongducheon, located on the border of Dongducheon City and Sinbuk-myeon in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province. It takes about an hour and 20 minutes by subway from Seoul’s Jonggak Station. At 587 meters, Euisangdae, the main peak, isn’t particularly high, but the steep slopes make it a challenging climb. The trail circles the mountain and loops back to the starting point.
Since it was our group’s first hike of the year, we held a Sisanje ceremony to pray for a safe year of hiking. We prepared simple offerings of rice cakes and fruit, observed a moment of silence in a Christian style, and then shared the food. Although it was late February and temperatures fluctuated above and below freezing, the north-facing trails were icy, requiring the use of crampons (aizen). It’s crucial to carry crampons and gaiters even in early spring, as safety accidents are often caused by inadequate preparation during the thawing season.
After navigating a steep, icy trail, we reached Gongjubong, the first peak, which offers a panoramic view of Dongducheon City. The path from Gongjubong to Euisangdae, the highest peak, follows a ridge with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The expansive vista is a delight to the eyes. At Euisangdae, a Korean national flag (Taegeukgi) fluttered next to the summit marker. The wide-open, 360-degree view is a privilege reserved for those who reach the top.
The descent was challenging, as the north-facing slope was covered in ice, creating a slippery path. For beginners in winter hiking, it was tricky to navigate, requiring cautious steps. After safely descending the steep slopes, we arrived at Jajaeam, a small hermitage. Taking a refreshing sip of spring water at Wonhyosaem and gazing at the temple, along with the magnificent sight of the frozen waterfall in front, was truly a moment to catch my breath.
This image shows the dust-cleaning station at the hiking trail entrance. AJP Cho bo-hee
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