Gariwangsan Mountain

Rising between Jeongseon and Pyeongchang, Gariwangsan (1,561 m) is one of the big mountains that, together with Odaesan, form the "roof" of the Gangwon ranges. It is an earth-covered mountain rather than a rocky one, so forest reaches all the way to the ridges, while its valleys hide small waterfalls tumbling over moss-covered rocks. The alpine skiing events of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics were held here, and a cable car built on the former course now carries visitors up to a 1,381 m peak.

A name with a story

Legend says a king called Galwang hid on this mountain to escape a rebellion, so it was first known as Galwangsan; the present name became fixed during the Japanese colonial period. On the Jeongseon side it is the mountain that frames the home of the Jeongseon Arirang folk song. The ridges are covered in high-altitude trees such as yew, Korean pine and maple, and the mountain is known for its wild greens and medicinal herbs. On a clear day you can see as far as the East Sea from the summit.

After the Olympics

The downhill course cut into the slopes above Sugam in Jeongseon sparked a long debate about development versus conservation. After the Games the site was earmarked for ecological restoration, and the Gariwangsan Cable Car began running on the old Olympic infrastructure. It climbs 3.51 km from Sugam Station at the bottom to Gariwangsan Station at the top in about 20 minutes. In 2026 it closed from 6 April for ecological restoration work around the middle station and reopened on 1 August. Its operating arrangements have changed several times, so check that it is running before you go.

Climbing on foot

There are three main routes.

• Recreation forest route: from the ticket office of the Gariwangsan Recreation Forest on the Jeongseon side, about 5.9 km to the summit, roughly 3 hours one way. The forest opened in 1993 and has cabins and a campsite.
• Janggumoki route: from Janggumoki on the Pyeongchang side, about 3.8 km to the summit. It is shorter, but it starts low, so the climb is long and steep. The valley at the start is famous for its mossy rocks, and many people walk only that section.
• Simmanigyo route: about 4.9 km from Simmanigyo Bridge to Janggumoki, linking with the other routes.

Staying below the summit

You don't have to reach the top to enjoy the mountain. The Gariwangsan Recreation Forest has 24 rooms and 45 campsites for a night in the woods, and its guided forest walks and nature programmes are free; woodcraft workshops cost extra. In the villages on the Jeongseon side you can try Gangwon mountain food such as gondeure-bap (rice with thistle greens), chicken soup with milk-vetch root, and osam bulgogi, squid and pork belly stir-fried together. Jeongseon town holds its five-day market on days ending in 2 and 7, so if you time your hike for a market day you can browse stalls of wild greens and herbs as well.

Tripto tips

• Best time: the moss valley is at its greenest in the wet months of June to August. Autumn colour usually reaches the ridges in early to mid-October. In winter the ridges are deep in snow and need proper winter gear.
• Time: for the summit, plan 6–7 hours return and start early. The cable car alone, with a short walk at the top, takes 1–2 hours.
• Watch out: the moss-valley path has many wet, slippery stones, and fallen trees sometimes block it. Parts of the upper valley are restricted, so stay on marked trails. Some trails may close during the spring and autumn wildfire-prevention periods.
• Getting there: public transport is limited, so a car is the easiest option. The recreation forest is a short drive from Jeongseon town, and the Sugam cable car station lies on the Bukpyeong side of Jeongseon.
• Combine with: the Jeongseon Arirang Market (a five-day market) in town, or Hwaamdonggul Cave to the south, for a full day out.