[One Day Walk] Korea's Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, 'Mangu-dong Park'

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The tomb of Jo Bong-am located in Manguri Park

Today's course is from Mangwoo Hill to Gwangnaru Station. It is the most popular course among the Seoul Dulle-gil trails. Starting at Mangwoo Hill, which runs parallel to the Han River forming a mountain range, the path goes over Kkaltak Hill and passes the fork to Yongma Mountain.

Mangwoo Hill became a site for a communal cemetery in modern times. Within this sacred space that separates the living from the dead, the spirits of notable figures who have illuminated Korea rest. As you slowly ascend the path, taking in the mountain scenery and the cemetery, a sacred reverence that cannot be encountered just anywhere settles in your heart.

The course from Mangwoo Municipal Cemetery over Kkaltak Hill to the ridge of Yongma Mountain is not easy. There are about 200 steps to climb along the way. Once you reach the Yongma Mountain ridge, you will see dual markings for both the Seoul Dulle-gil and Guri Dulle-gil trails, so you must carefully confirm and continue straight along the main ridge trail. Although close to Seoul, the somewhat heavy image of being a communal cemetery means few people visit, allowing nature to be fully preserved. The beautiful scenery naturally slows your pace, making it fitting to call it the Korean version of ‘P?re Lachaise Park.’ (P?re Lachaise Cemetery, located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, France, is the largest cemetery in Paris. It is well known as the first garden-style communal cemetery and the first municipally managed communal cemetery.)

Achasan Sunrise Festival

From the Yongma Mountain ridge, head toward the Achasan 4th Fortress ruins. Achasan is named after a famous Joseon Dynasty fortune teller, Hong Gyegwan, who was executed by falling off a cliff at the moment he exclaimed ‘Acha.’ Since then, the mountain has been called Achasan. Descending along the ridge from Yongma Mountain to Achasan, you will come upon Haemaji Square. Known as one of Seoul’s representative sunrise viewing points, it attracts countless visitors on New Year’s Day to watch the first sunrise of the year.