Seongjubong Recreational Forest

Seongjubong Recreational Forest in Euncheok-myeon, Sangju, North Gyeongsang, sits at the foot of Seongjubong, a 606 m rocky peak. You stay in forest cabins or at the campsite, walk the trails up Seongjubong and along the herb garden paths, and in summer cool off in the stream-side pools. There is even a short rock-climbing route on the crags, so walking and climbing can go together.

Seongjubong and the silver ruler

Seongjubong is the rocky peak rising behind Namgok-ri in Euncheok-myeon. The recreational forest makes use of the woods and valley at its foot, with lodging and walking paths.

The place name Euncheok, "silver ruler", comes with an old legend: the village once owned a ruler made of silver, and anyone who touched it would not die. Sangju has woven this story into a "long life without illness" theme around Seongjubong. In 2018 it opened the 4 km Seongjubong Eco Forest Trail around the herbal medicine industrial complex in Euncheok-myeon. Halfway along stands the Eunja Rock Face, a quarry in the 1980s that has weathered into an impressive cliff; in front of it is a silver-ruler sculpture modelled on Joseon-era rulers.

What to do

• Seongjubong trails: five routes climb from the forest to Seongjubong.
• Walking path: if you would rather not climb, a valley walking path of about 2 km is the gentler option.
• Rock-climbing route: a 150 m climbing route lets experienced, properly equipped climbers tackle the rock directly.
• Herb garden and herb trail: a garden and path planted with about 100 species of medicinal herbs, plus around 18,000 wildflowers of 16 species, including inula.
• Water play area: stream-side pools, popular with children in summer.
• Accommodation: 8 forest cabins, 11 lodge rooms, 8 training-centre rooms with a hall, and 55 camping decks.

Tripto tips

• Opening: open all year. Cabins and lodge rooms check in at 14:00 and out at 11:00; campsite check-in is 13:00. Facility times can change, so confirm when you book.
• Booking: cabins and pitches are booked on "Supnadeul-e" (foresttrip.go.kr), Korea's public recreational forest booking site. Weekends and the summer peak sell out early.
• Prices: a small forest cabin costs about KRW 80,000 off-peak and on weekdays and KRW 100,000 in peak season and at weekends; a camping deck is about KRW 10,000/15,000. Prices change, so check the booking site.
• Parking: day visitors pay KRW 3,000 per car and KRW 5,000 for buses of 25 seats or more. Overnight guests park free.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for the herb trail and a valley stroll; allow half a day to climb Seongjubong and back.
• Barefoot extension: a 2.5 km barefoot route runs from the red clay path at the herbal complex's healing centre to the Eunja Rock Face, a good morning walk if you stay overnight.
• Getting there: the address is 3 Seongjubong-ro, Euncheok-myeon, Sangju. Public transport into these hills is sparse, so a car is the realistic option.
• Information: +82-54-541-6512