Jongdaengi Trail

At the western end of Chungjuho Lake, the Jongdaengi Trail loops right around Simhangsan, a 385 m hill. Rather than climbing to a summit, it follows the slopes above the water, so the gradients are gentle and the blue lake keeps appearing and disappearing between the trees. The standard loop takes about two and a half hours, passing a suspension bridge, viewpoints and a wildlife pond, and is easily manageable for families.

A drowned village and a nickname

"Jongdaengi" is the Chungcheong dialect word for jongdang, a shrine that once stood in the villages of Sangjong and Hajong, and locals came to call Simhangsan "Jongdaengi Mountain". When the Chungju Dam was completed in 1985, the waters of the Namhangang River rose to form Chungjuho Lake, and part of the village below the hill disappeared under the water. The traces of the old settlement lie beneath the lake you see from the path. In neighbouring Jecheon the lake is called Cheongpungho, and as one of the largest lakes in South Korea it is nicknamed "the inland sea".

Routes

• Standard loop (about 7.5 km, 2 hours 30 minutes): Majumakjae car park → forest path → wildlife pond → Viewpoint 1 → octagonal pavilion → Viewpoint 2 → suspension bridge → hexagonal pavilion → Majumakjae car park. This is the route most people walk.
• Full course (about 11.5 km, 4 hours 30 minutes): after circling the hill, it continues along the lakeshore to the Chungju Dam Water Culture Center.
• To the summit: from the forest interpretation centre, two paths lead to the top: Gaon-gil (1.2 km, about 20 minutes) and Bongsudae-gil (0.7 km, about 15 minutes).

What to look out for

• Viewpoint 2: where the lake opens up widest, nicknamed the "Gaseumeul Pyeora" (Stand Tall) viewpoint.
• Suspension bridge: about 100 m beyond Viewpoint 2, at a fork in the path, and the most photographed spot on the trail. It spans a small inlet between two spurs of the hill.
• The pavilions: the octagonal and hexagonal pavilions, named Minggyejeong and Wonteojeong, are good places for a break.
• Wildlife pond: a small pond beside the paved path below the forest interpretation centre.

When to walk it

Most of the Jongdaengi Trail runs under the forest canopy, so even in midsummer you can walk out of the sun. From the viewpoints along the way, Chungjuho winds between the ridges like a great river. In autumn the woods turn colour against the blue water, and in spring cherry blossom along the lakeside road makes the journey to the trailhead a pleasure too. Even at an easy pace you can reach Viewpoint 2 and the suspension bridge without difficulty, so choose between the loop and the summit paths depending on your energy.

Tripto tips

• Time needed: allow 2.5–3 hours for the standard loop and about 4.5 hours for the full course.
• Fees and parking: there is no entry fee. Park at Majumakjae car park, the usual starting point; from there you walk about 1.5 km down the road to the forest interpretation centre, where the trail proper begins.
• Best time: summer, when the forest gives plenty of shade, and autumn for the colours. In spring, cherry trees bloom along the lakeside road, which makes a nice drive to combine with the walk.
• Take care: the stairs down to the suspension bridge are steep and slippery after rain, so wear hiking boots or shoes with good grip. Bring plenty of water.
• Getting there: head from central Chungju towards the Chungju Dam and stop at the Majumakjae pass. A car is the easiest option.
• Combine it with: Hwalok Cave, about 2 km away, and the Chungju Dam Water Culture Center make a good day out.