[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] Inje Secret Garden, Red·Yellow·White·Forest Leading to Winter

Journey to Winter in Inje - Driving on Local Roads 446 and 418 Following the Secret Garden of Gapdun-ri

On Local Road No. 446 in Gapdun-ri, Nam-myeon, Inje-gun, there is a garden full of excitement. Its name is "Secret Garden," meaning a hidden garden. When the red and yellow autumn leaves are combined with the mist and the frost that fell overnight, it offers a dreamy landscape.

Bangtaesan Natural Recreation Forest has Idan Waterfall, famous for its autumn foliage waterfall.

The journey along the Inje local road following the Naerincheon River is both tranquil and charming.

Entering winter at Bangtaesan Natural Recreation Forest

Driving along Local Road 446 is tranquil, yet each winding turn offers a different scenery.

Birch Trees Encountered Near Omijae Tunnel

[Asia Economy, Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist Reporter]

Inje Gapdun-ri Secret Garden

The secret forest revealed by the morning sunlight

The dreamy scenery hidden in the 'Secret Garden'

A quiet late autumn journey on Inje’s local roads

Driving on Local Roads No. 446 and 418

It is the threshold of early winter. The autumn leaves, less vibrant than usual, are falling one by one, leaving the trees bare. At this time of year, there is a place that shines even more. It is the 'Secret Garden' hidden along a quiet local road in Gapdun-ri, Inje. As the red and yellow autumn leaves fade away, a gentle layer of mist, frost, and snow settles on top. The forest bathed in morning sunlight reveals a dreamlike landscape vividly. Whoever named it, it’s a perfect choice at first sight. Since it is a military protection zone, access is prohibited, preserving the natural beauty intact. In recent years, word of mouth has spread, and parking lots have been built nearby, attracting photographers, but the Secret Garden remains a place worth visiting at least once. Moreover, it can be viewed directly from the roadside without much effort, making it an ideal journey. After enjoying the fantastic morning in the forest, it’s also good to keep driving along the road. Since the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway opened, fewer people use National Road No. 44 to go to the East Sea. The Local Road No. 446, slightly off that route, is even less traveled. Driving along this quiet local road, passing Sangnam-myeon and following the Naerincheon River, I reached Bangtaesan Natural Recreation Forest. At Bangtaesan, the famous Idan Waterfall gushes out like a skirt hem.

Exit Donghongcheon IC on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway and take National Road No. 44 toward Inje. Turn right at Damol Intersection onto Local Road No. 446. Even the few cars sporadically driving along the national road quickly disappear, and the road becomes so quiet it feels almost desolate. But from the moment you enter this road, your heart starts pounding with excitement.

The eastern sky in the distance begins to glow orange. My heart races. Frost flowers signaling winter bloom here and there. The scenery of the Secret Garden is already forming in my mind. After crossing a hill and seeing a military area sign, it’s a sign that you’re almost there. It took less than 10 minutes from Damol Intersection.

The sky has now started to blaze red. The Secret Garden sparkles in the sunlight coming over the mountain. Like a secret being unveiled, the misty depths of the mountain’s inner beauty are fully revealed.

Far away, mist drifts between the mountains, appearing and disappearing repeatedly. The fading autumn seems reluctant to leave, as the last light shines on the autumn leaves covered with pure white frost from the night, creating a fantastic scene.

The trees first touched by the morning sun compete to show their yellow and red colors. Like a secret door opening, the garden’s form becomes clear. Surrounded by nearby mountains, the cozy forest keeps its secrecy. Mist gently settles over the forest, making the winding mountain road look like a path to a mystical world. The Secret Garden, carefully hidden by someone, is just like a dreamy, surreal landscape seen in a dream.

Dozens of photographers stationed at the observatory continuously press their camera shutters to capture this scene. This place is a military training ground. As a military protection zone, access is prohibited, so nature remains undisturbed and rewards viewers with a secret and beautiful landscape. However, the time to see this secret beauty is very short. Once the sun rises and the mist disappears, the scenery becomes plain. Photographers leave like the ebb tide. Tourists arriving around this time often show disappointed and empty expressions. They are sometimes confused by the completely different scenery because most photos they have seen were taken at dawn. It is tough, but if you plan to visit the Secret Garden, it is highly recommended to arrive at dawn. Arriving at least 30 minutes before sunrise gives you a chance to get a certification shot among photographers.

There are three travel routes after visiting the Secret Garden. One is to return the way you came, follow National Road No. 44, visit the Wondae-ri Birch Forest, and continue to Baekdamsa Temple. You can see the most beautiful birch forest at this time as winter approaches.

Another route is to keep driving along Local Road No. 446. Passing Sangnam-myeon, you go to Salduun Village, known as a remote area, cross Guryongryeong Pass, and head to Yangyang in Gangwon Province.

This quiet route offers many sights, including Misan Valley, Salduun Lodge, Salduun Branch School, Myeonggye-ri, Guryongryeong, and Micheongol Natural Recreation Forest. You might want to stop the car briefly several times. If you plan to visit the Secret Garden and set Yangyang as your destination, this is a recommended course.

The last route is to follow Local Road No. 446, then switch to Local Road No. 418 at Sangnam-myeon. This route follows the Naerincheon River and leads to Jindong Valley, Achimgari, and Gombaeryeong.

The Idan Waterfall at Bangtaesan Natural Recreation Forest, famous for its valley autumn leaves, is worth seeing. Two waterfalls about 10m and 3m high pour water like skirt hems. The colorful late autumn is reflected in the water, creating a splendid view. Whichever route you choose, the scenery encountered on the threshold of winter is calm and peaceful beyond compare.

Inje = Written and photographed by Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist Reporter jun21@

◇Travel Notes

△How to get there=To reach the 'Secret Garden' in Inje, Gangwon Province by car from the Seoul metropolitan area, exit at Donghongcheon Interchange on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway and take National Road No. 44 toward Inje. Turn right at Damol Intersection and follow Local Road No. 446 for about 6 to 7 minutes to arrive. Set your navigation to '122-3 Gapdun-ri, Nam-myeon, Inje-gun.' There are parking lots and an observatory available. However, during late autumn and early winter when the autumn leaves are beautiful, photographers camp out here every dawn.