Chungnyeongsan Mountain

Rising on the border of Sudong-myeon in Namyangju and Gapyeong County, Chungnyeongsan (879 m) has a story in its very name. Legend says that Yi Seong-gye, the future founder of the Joseon dynasty, came hunting here at the end of the Goryeo period and caught nothing until he offered a sacrifice to the mountain spirit, after which he finally bagged wild boar; hence 'the mountain where you pray to the spirit'. On its western side, a recreational forest is filled with 60-year-old Korean pines, while the Garden of Morning Calm lies at its eastern foot, making it an easy day trip from Seoul for forest walks and ridge hikes.

Two legends behind the name

The first is Yi Seong-gye's. When his hunt failed, a beater told him the mountain was sacred and needed a ritual for its spirit; the next day he made an offering on the summit and caught boar. That, the story goes, is how it became Chungnyeongsan. Hiking clubs still come here for their New Year rite, a ceremony held at the start of the hiking season.

The second involves General Nami, a young commander under kings Sejo and Yejong. The mountain has Nami Rock, where he is said to have trained in martial arts as a boy, and from the summit you look east towards Namiseom, the island named after him. Joseon-era records also give the mountain other names, such as Birangsan and Biryongsan.

What to see

• Pine forest: In the Jeonjiragol valley on the west side, the Chungnyeongsan Recreational Forest is shaded by 60-year-old Korean pines. It has forest cabins, a lodge, camping decks and a summer paddling area.
• Suri Rock and Nami Rock: Big rock outcrops line the ridge to the summit and give wide views down into the valleys.
• Summit views: Layer upon layer of ridges in Gapyeong and Namyangju spread out below, and on clear days you can see villages towards the Bukhangang River.
• Old charcoal kilns: Circular stone remains of charcoal kilns, with information boards, sit beside the trails and show that this forest once supported local livelihoods.
• Seorisan azaleas: The ridge towards neighbouring Seorisan is known for its spring azaleas.

Hiking routes

• Chungnyeongsan loop: Parking Lot 1 → Suri Rock → Nami Rock → summit → Jeolgogae Pass → forest-road junction → Parking Lot 1, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Seorisan loop: Parking Lot 2 → Hwachaebong → azalea slope → Seorisan summit → silver-grass junction → forest-road junction → Parking Lot 2, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Ridge traverse: Ticket-office junction → Suri Rock → Nami Rock → Chungnyeongsan summit → silver-grass junction → azalea slope → ticket-office junction, about 4 hours.

Tripto tips

• Best time: May, when the azaleas bloom, and mid to late October, for autumn colours, are the busiest and most beautiful times. In summer the dense pine shade makes even a short forest walk pleasant.
• Entry hours: Entry is from around sunrise until 16:00. The Nami Rock section is rocky, so do not start up it late in the afternoon.
• Fees and booking: Admission and parking are paid at the recreational forest ticket office. Cabins and campsites are booked through the Korea Forest Service's Foresttrip website.
• Guided forest walks: Free guided walks run from April to mid-November at 09:30 and 14:00, except on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Getting there: Namyangju city bus route Thank-you 34 runs from Maseok Station on the Gyeongchun Line to the recreational forest. Buses are infrequent, so check the timetable first. The address is 299 Chungnyeongsan-ro, Sudong-myeon, Namyangju.
• Note: The forest roads are fire-fighting access routes, and bicycles and motorbikes are not allowed on them.