[One Day Walk] Falling for the Charm of Birch Trees... Inje Birch Tree Dalmaji Forest Trail

[Editor's Note] The Korea Forest Service has selected 'Premium Forest Trails Perfect for Walking' to commemorate the 50th anniversary of national reforestation. These trails are accessible and suitable for about a day's hike, allowing the public to enjoy them easily and comfortably. We introduce these premium forest trails provided by the Korea Forest Service every two weeks.

The Inje Birch Moonlight Forest Trail won the grand prize among 89 forest trails nationwide in the 'Premium Forest Trails Perfect for Walking' competition celebrating the 50th anniversary of national reforestation.

Located in Wondae-ri, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, the Inje Birch Forest Trail is a premium forest and a national forest that attracts about 200,000 visitors annually with its beautiful scenery throughout all four seasons. From 1974 to 1995, 690,000 birch trees were planted over 138 hectares, and currently, 25 hectares of this area operate as a forest experience center for young children.

Birch Forest Trail in Inje
Photo by Korea Forest Service

This space was created to discover and provide the ecological, aesthetic, and educational values unique to the birch forest. The trail is easy to access. Start at the Wondae-ri Forest Monitoring Post. After signing the visitor logbook at the post, follow the approximately 3.5 km forest road uphill. The gently winding path along the mountainside is suitable for people of all ages to walk without difficulty. Once inside the forest, there are several walking courses such as the Birch Course, Healing Course, and Exploration Course. These courses are interconnected without strict boundaries, allowing visitors to stroll freely without being confined to a specific route. The winter birch forest, with its unprecedented scenery, offers rest and healing in itself.

Due to the large number of visitors, damage such as soil compaction, facility wear, and pest infestations occurred on the existing main forest trail. To disperse visitors, a 5 km Inje Moonlight Forest Trail was created in the birch forest planted near the valley area close to the main trail in 2022. The Inje Moonlight Forest Trail is located in a different type of birch forest than the main trail, offering a distinct charm. Visitors can also observe various wildflowers such as large bellflower, candle coltsfoot, and hepatica, along with diverse vegetation.

Birch Forest Trail in Inje
Photo by Korea Forest Service

The Inje Moonlight Forest Trail was designed and constructed to avoid artificial structures and to use natural materials so as not to spoil the forest landscape. In areas with many valley springs and where trail damage from heavy rain is a concern, stones collected locally were used to install stone waterways to facilitate water flow and prevent surface erosion. Stone steps and stone retaining walls were constructed using engineering methods to create comfortable step heights and slopes for visitors, ensuring safe hiking. The forest trails in the Inje Birch Forest start and end at the departure information center, where forest trail guides are stationed to provide a safe and enjoyable walking experience.