[Joyongjun's Journey Manri] Facing the Forest and Myself, Finding the Answer to Healing

Hoesong, the Home of Hanwoo, Embarks on a Contactless Journey Through Forests and Lakes

Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest Trail

Eodapsan Mountain is reflected in the lake.

Hoengseong Hosugil

Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest Campground

The sun is setting over the natural recreation forest.

The Hoengseong Luge Experience Center, which has recently gained popularity

A Night at Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest, Where Water and Mountains Blend

Soothing the Weary Heart Along the Tranquil Hoengseong Lake Trail

Embracing Autumn Colors in the Forest: Cheongtaesan and Forest Experience Center

Fantastic Luge Experience on the Closed National Road No. 42

[Asia Economy, Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yong-jun] The momentum of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) shows no sign of stopping. Seoul and the metropolitan area will continue to observe the strict 'Social Distancing Level 2.5' through this week. Even after this period, a full return to normal life will take time. It is certain that social distancing must be carefully observed for a while longer. Travel should also minimize movement distances and avoid crowded public facilities. Accordingly, Travel Manrido introduces mainly non-face-to-face (untact) travel destinations, avoiding crowded places every week. To emphasize again, this is not a recommendation to travel immediately but a suggestion to postpone travel. Please consider visiting after social distancing ends and COVID-19 subsides. We head to Hoengseong, Gangwon Province. When you think of Hoengseong, 'Hanwoo' (Korean beef) comes to mind first, but this is a journey to find beautiful forests and lakes. It is a quiet and unpretentious place, perfectly suited for the COVID-19 era. The main attractions are Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest, Hoengseong Lake Trail, Cheongtaesan Natural Recreation Forest, and the Forest Experience Center.

After a long rainy season and typhoons have passed, autumn sunlight floods in. The senses, which had been dormant due to COVID-19 and the rainy season, are slowly awakening. First, we head to Hoengseong Lake Trail, where you can walk while enjoying the beauty of the lake. The lake trail consists of six sections with a total length of 31.5 km. The fifth section, the Family Trail, was renovated in 2018 and is a 9 km course with gentle elevation changes, popular for being completable within about two hours.

We walked the fifth section starting from Manghyang Hill. From Manghyang Hill, the A course (4.5 km) and B course (4.5 km) connect. After walking about 1 km on the A course, you reach a pavilion where you can choose to continue on the A course or branch off to the B course. Entering the B course, called Osaek Dream Trail, you encounter a straight forest of silver poplars. It is a healing spot where you can see the sparkling lake waves through the trees.

Only about 10 minutes after starting, the path presents a magnificent landscape where the lake, mountains, and deep blue sky harmonize. The faint scent of earth rises gently with each step. The changing scenery as you pass ridges and lakeshores naturally draws exclamations.

The lake trail holds the 'Legend of the King.' It is said that King Taegi, the last king of Jinan, fled to Gapcheon from Silla and washed his armor in the river. Also, when King Taegi's son was traveling to Shindae-ri in Cheongil-myeon and had to camp overnight as night fell, a soldier made a flute from a reed to soothe the prince's fatigue. Nearby Pirigol village is named after this reed flute story.

The trail is mostly coniferous forest, so even as time passes, the surroundings will not be heavily colored in bright autumn hues, but the subdued colors of a quiet autumn path have their own charm.

Although the trail along the lake takes about half a day to walk, it feels like you leave behind what you should and take with you what matters. Hoengseong Lake Trail quietly tells us that autumn travel is not only about red foliage. From the second half of the year, the trail, which was previously free, now charges an entrance fee of 2,000 KRW.

Near the lake trail is Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest. It is ideal for minimizing face-to-face contact and spending a night alone or with family. At the entrance of the recreation forest, your temperature is checked and your details recorded before entering the forest.

The recreation forest is located in Podong-ri, Gapcheon-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, in the area commonly called Jeogori-gol. You must go deeper into the pristine natural environment in front of Hoengseong Lake to reach it. The forested mountain behind the recreation forest, Homyeongsan, is so remote that there is a legend of a tiger living there. However, with the development of Hoengseong Dam and the creation of an artificial lake, it has become a beautiful natural recreation forest where water and mountains blend.

It is believed that during the Silla period, there was a royal retreat here, and a three-story stone pagoda from the early Silla era remains. Until the early 1970s, slash-and-burn farmers lived here, and wild vegetable fields, aralia fields, and springs remain intact. Three walking trails run through the primeval forest along the valley, providing ample opportunity to wash away the fatigue of body and mind from city life.

Stone statues and sculptures with artistic beauty are placed around the recreation forest trails. There is also an auto camping site and dedicated sites for caravans where you can enjoy camping in a pristine ecological environment.

A family met at the recreation forest said, "In these depressing times due to COVID-19, spending a night at the natural recreation forest where we can breathe fresh air to our heart's content is very happy," giving a thumbs up.

The Arizona Cafe, located midway up the forest, offers a unique atmosphere with a stagecoach used in the Old West and old camping equipment. Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest restricts access to general visitors to ensure a comfortable rest for overnight guests. Forest houses accommodate from rooms for three people up to groups of ten. On the way out, the sun sets, dyeing the forest path red.

The most famous recreation forest in Hoengseong is the National Cheongtaesan Natural Recreation Forest. Cheongtaesan (1,200 m) is said to have been named by King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, who was captivated by its beautiful mountain scenery and surprised by a large rock during his visit to the Gwandong region.

The recreation forest boasts dense forests harmoniously blending natural and artificial trees. From the recreation forest to the summit of Cheongtaesan, there are six hiking trails. There is also an approximately 800 m long deck road through a dense pine forest accessible to people with disabilities and the elderly, allowing anyone to easily experience the forest.

The camping decks in the pine forest are famous among enthusiasts, ranking this place as one of the best national natural recreation forests for camping. The forest trail is beautiful. Following the gently sloping wooden deck, sunlight sparkles through the pine trees, and the sound of the valley water is refreshing.

Within the Cheongtaesan area is the only permanent 'Forest Culture Experience Facility' in Korea, called the 'Forest Experience Center.' It was built to provide a space where youth can experience the forest and learn about nature.

The Forest Experience Center offers various programs, including a 'Forest Ecology Learning Program' that fosters direct interaction between forest and people, creative craft activities, charcoal drawing, leaf craft, natural dyeing, and more. It also uniquely features a 1 km 'Wheelchair Deck Road' that allows wheelchair users to reach the mountain summit.

Recently, something more famous than Hanwoo has appeared in Hoengseong. The luge experience center, opened last August, is the star. Hoengseong Luge is located on the closed section of National Road No. 42 between Jeonjae and Owon-ri, Ucheon-myeon, combining roads, forests, and nature with various themed sections.

With a single course length of 2.4 km, it boasts the longest track in Korea. It is not an artificially twisted S-shaped course but uses an actual road, providing a driving-like experience. The fee is 12,000 KRW on weekdays and 15,000 KRW on weekends. Of the ticket price, 3,000 KRW per ticket is given as Hoengseong tourism vouchers, usable in Ucheon-myeon and Anhung-myeon.

Hoengseong = Text and photos by Travel Specialist Jo Yong-jun jun21@

◇ Travel Notes

△ Getting There = For the lake trail, take the Saemal IC on the Yeongdong Expressway or the Hoengseong IC on the Jungang Expressway, pass through Hoengseong-eup, and use National Road No. 19 to reach the entrance of Manghyang Hill. The Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest is nearby the lake trail.

△ Food = Hanwoo (Korean beef) is a must. The most popular place among tourists is the Livestock Cooperative Hanwoo Plaza, with locations in Hoengseong-eup main branch, Saemal branch, and Dunnae branch. There is also Anhung Steamed Bun Village. The Sports Ground Hangover Soup restaurant in front of Hoengseong Sports Complex is famous for its spicy Hanwoo hangover soup and tripe soup.

△ Attractions = Taegisan Mountain, Birch Forest Art Museum, Pungsewon Catholic Church, Gangwon Charcoal, Anhung Steamed Bun Village, Byeongjibang Valley, Hanwoo Experience Center, and more.