[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] Heullimgol Reopened After 7 Years, Truly Lives Up to Its Reputation~

Heullimgol - Reopened Last Month After 2015 Rockfall Accident, Heullimgol~Deungseondae~Jujeongol~Osaek Autumn Foliage Hiking Spot

Chilhyungjebong Peak as seen from Heullimgol Exploration Trail

Heullimgol as seen from Deungseondae

Visitors are climbing the Heullimgol Course.

Hanggye Pass and Seoraksan dyed in bright red colors

Seoraksan viewed from Osaek District

After finishing the Heullimgol course, you enter Jujeongol.

Seoraksan Northwest Ridge as seen from Deungseondae

Seoraksan Mountain Dressed in Autumn Foliage

Autumn Foliage of Jujeonggol

[Asia Economy, Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist Reporter] Seoraksan during the autumn foliage season is always a classic. Seoraksan always takes the lead in the autumn foliage news. The first foliage is defined when about 20% of the mountain is colored, and the peak period is when about 80% is colored. This year, Seoraksan is expected to reach its peak around this weekend. You need to hurry a bit to enjoy the autumn leaves of Seoraksan. Additionally, the Heullimgol course has reopened, giving one more reason to visit Seoraksan. It has reopened after 7 years since the rockfall accident in 2015. Heullimgol is famous as an autumn hiking spot where you can see the most beautiful autumn foliage in Seoraksan. Compared to the Daecheongbong course, it is less rugged but the scenery is just as stunning. We captured the beautiful autumn foliage of Seorak along the path from Heullimgol through Jujeon to Osaek.

Heullimgol is a valley about 3 km long located between the Hangyeryeong summit and Osaek Mineral Spring. If you come down about 2 km towards Yangyang along National Road 44 from Hangyeryeong Rest Area, you will find the trailhead. The entrance is by the roadside, so it is easy to miss if you just pass by.

As soon as you enter the Heullimgol course, newly installed wooden stairs appear and a rockfall warning alarm sounds. There are 22 rockfall risk points in Heullimgol alone, and announcements are made at five of them.

With each step, the magnificent Heullimgol scenery, where centuries-old large fir trees, maple trees, and yew trees are mixed, unfolds layer by layer.

From the start, a massive rocky peak accompanies you on the right side of the trail. This is Chilhyungjebong, a mountain ridge formed by seven sharp peaks. There is a small observatory at Yeosim Waterfall, which looks like a stream flowing long between slender legs. If you go a little further up, you reach the ridge, where Deungseondae, serving as an observatory, is located about 200 meters off the trail.

Standing at Deungseondae (1002m) observatory, your chest feels wide open. Strange rock formations rise along the valley right before your eyes. This is Manmulsang of South Seorak. The brightly colored Daecheongbong, Hangyeryeong, and the northwest ridge spread out like a panorama.

The path from Deungseondae to Yongsu Waterfall is a gentle downhill. Although there is no jaw-dropping spectacle, diverse scenery unfolds. There is Deungseon Waterfall with a thin stream falling long, Sip-i Waterfall running alongside the trail with a strong water sound, the jade-colored Yongsu Waterfall, and strange rock formations appearing here and there. It would have been even more stunning if bright red autumn leaves were combined.

The Heullimgol course ends at Yongsu Samgeori (three-way junction), but you need to walk 2.7 km more to reach the Osaek Mineral Spring Exploration Support Center. This is part of the Yongsu Waterfall course and is called Jujeon Valley. It is less disappointing if you visit Yongsu Waterfall and Jujeon Rock, which are located a little above the junction. Yongsu Waterfall is the most beautiful waterfall in this section. A thin sheet of water spreads over a wide rock and falls into a deep pool. The clear jade-colored water fills a large jar.

Jujeon Valley does not require a reservation. It is a valley almost like flat ground, so it is easy to walk without burden. There is also the Osaek 2 Mineral Spring restored this summer, so it is recommended to stop by.

Seoraksan = Text and photos by Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist Reporter jun21@

◇Travel Notes

△Getting There= If departing from the metropolitan area, take the Gyeongchun Expressway and exit at Donghongcheon IC, then take National Road 44 passing Inje to Hangyeryeong Rest Area. From the rest area, go down about 2 km towards Yangyang, and the Heullimgol trailhead is on the right. The course is not a loop, so parking battles are fierce. If two cars come, one can park near Heullimgol and the other at the final destination, Osaek area. If only one car, park at Osaek area and take a taxi (15,000 KRW).

△Hiking Information= Reservations for the Heullimgol trail can be made on the National Park website. Group hikers gather between 9 and 10 AM. If you want to hike less crowded, the afternoon is better. Seoraksan has drastic temperature changes and strong winds. Be sure to bring hiking sticks, windproof and thermal jackets, and warm water.