Samaksan

West of Chuncheon, overlooking Uiamho Lake, Samaksan (654 m) lives up to its name, "mountain of three rugged peaks". It is not tall, but its gorges hold a chain of waterfalls and the summit looks over the lake and the whole city. Since a cable car began crossing the lake, you can also enjoy the scenery without climbing.

Three peaks and a quartzite gorge

The main peak Yonghwabong (654 m) stands with Deungseonbong (632 m) and Cheongunbong (546 m). The mountain is made of Precambrian Uiam quartzite, a rock so resistant to weathering that it forms sheer cliffs and narrow gorges. Waterfalls large and small, including Deungseon, Seunghak and Juryeom Falls, line the gorge, along with Ongnyeotang pool and its legend of a woodcutter and a fairy. Samaksan was designated a Gangwon Provincial Monument in 1973.

A fortress and the legend of Gung Ye

Below the mountain, Seokparyeong pass was once the land route between Seoul and Chuncheon. Above it, the Samaksan Fortress wall of natural stones follows the ridge; sources differ on its length, about 1.5 km or 5 km. Legend says Gung Ye, founder of the short-lived kingdom of Taebong, built it as a refuge after his defeat by Wang Geon, while another theory credits the earlier Maek tribe of the Chuncheon area. The mountain temple Heungguksa and old place names such as "palace site" keep the story alive. On the Uiam side stands Sangwonsa, a small temple said to date back to Silla.

Samaksan Lake Cable Car

Opened in 2021, the cable car runs about 3.61 km from its lower station in Samcheon-dong on the east shore, across the lake, to an upper station on Samaksan's ridge. Some of the eight-seat cabins are "crystal" cabins with glass floors. At the top there is an 822 m boardwalk (25 minutes there and back) and a 35 m-high skywalk viewpoint. Note that this walk is not connected to the hiking trails, so you cannot ride up and walk on to the summit.

Tripto tips

• Hiking routes: the climb from the Uiam ticket booth via Sangwonsa to Yonghwabong is short but steep, with plenty of rock scrambling. The route from the Deungseon Falls booth near Gangchon follows the waterfall gorge and has more to see. Allow about four hours to cross between the two booths.
• Hiking fee: the ticket booths open 08:00–17:00 and charge KRW 2,000, refunded as a Chuncheon gift voucher of the same value; Chuncheon residents, seniors and people with disabilities enter free.
• Cable car fares (return): standard cabin adults KRW 24,000, children KRW 18,000; crystal cabin adults KRW 28,000, children KRW 22,000. Hours vary by season and day, usually starting at 09:00. Ticket sales close an hour before closing, and service may stop without notice in bad weather.
• Getting there: for the cable car, take city bus 16 (every 30 minutes) via Chuncheon Station, Namchuncheon Station and Chuncheon Intercity Bus Terminal, or bus 6. The Deungseon Falls trailhead is close to Gangchon Station on the Gyeongchun Line.
• Watch out for: steep, slippery rock sections, so bring gloves and proper boots. Dogs, pushchairs and wheelchairs are not allowed on the skywalk path.
• Best time: summer, when the falls are full, and late October for autumn colours.