[One Day Walk] "A Journey of Zen Beyond the World"... Boeun Sokrisan Dulre Sanggil

[Editor's Note] The Korea Forest Service has selected 50 "Premium Forest Trails for Pleasant Walking" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of national land greening. The selected forest trails are suitable for about a day’s hike and have good accessibility, allowing the public to use them easily and comfortably. We introduce these premium forest trails provided by the Korea Forest Service every Friday.

Today's 10,000-step course is the "Boeun Sogrisan Dullegil." The Sogrisan Dullegil is part of a 200 km forest trail area around Sogrisan, connecting Boeun-gun and Goesan-gun in Chungbuk Province with Mungyeong-si and Sangju-si in Gyeongbuk Province. Boeun-gun opened this trail in 2016.

Sogrisan means "the mountain away from the secular world." In the same vein, some say that walking the Sogrisan Dullegil is "a journey of Zen meditation to empty oneself and seek the true self."

The total length of the Sogrisan Dullegil is 64 km, divided into five sections. Each section carries different historical and cultural values, adding meaning to the journey.

Provided by Korea Forest Service

◆ Section 1: "Gubyeongsan Old Trail (Difficulty: Easy)" = The first section is a forest trail connecting the Imgok-ri Village Hall in Maro-myeon, Boeun-gun, and the Jang-an-myeon Jujube Promotion Center, with a total length of 14.2 km. The estimated walking time is about 5 hours and 30 minutes. Crossing Malmokjae in Imgok Village, you can see the nine peaks of Gubyeongsan, known as the "Chungbuk Alps." The nine peaks surrounding like a folding screen create a breathtaking landscape resembling a painting.

◆ Section 2: "Maltijae Pass Trail (Difficulty: Medium)" = This trail starts from the Jang-an-myeon Dullegil Information Center and leads to Sangpanggyo in Sogrisan-myeon. The total length is 13.5 km, with an estimated walking time of about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Jang-an Village is known as the center of the Donghak Movement, where the idea of "Innaechun" (humanity is heaven) sprouted. Also, after passing Jangjae Reservoir and reaching the twelve bends of Maltijae Pass summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of the splendid scenery of Sogrisan.

◆ Section 3: "Dalcheon Field Trail (Difficulty: Easy)" = Starting from the Sangpan Information Center, this section connects to Daewon-ri Village Hall, covering an 18.2 km forest trail. The estimated walking time is about 6 hours and 30 minutes. Here, you can see the Sampasu stream, which originates from Cheonwangbong Peak of Sogrisan, flowing leisurely along the Sogri Stream and joining the headwaters of the Namhan River. Particularly, the Sogri Stream Field Trail is the starting point of the "Chungbuk Alps," which extends from Sogrisan to Gubyeongsan, allowing you to enjoy the tranquil scenery of the forest trail.

◆ Section 4: "Geumdansan Seonshin Trail (Difficulty: Easy)" = This section connects Daewon-ri Village Hall and Wolsongjeonggyo Bridge (Sinwol-ri, Goesan-gun). It is the origin of the birth legend of the renowned scholar Choi Chi-won and is composed of various trees and comfortable dirt paths for walking. Among visitors, this trail is known as a path of leisure where one can follow the footsteps of ancestors, reflect on the past self, and embark on a journey to find the true self. The total length of this section is 8.9 km, with an estimated walking time of about 3 hours.

◆ Section 5: "Maltijae Winding Trail (Difficulty: Easy)" = The last section of the Sogrisan Dullegil starts from the summit of Maltijae Pass, circles around the mountainside at an elevation of 430 meters, and returns to the starting point, forming a loop trail. The greatest advantage of this trail is that it preserves the natural forest without artificial facilities that damage nature, harmonizing with the surroundings. From the winding ridge, you can also enjoy distant views of Beopjusa Temple and the surrounding scenery of Sogrisan.

Visitors on the Sokrisan Dullegil trail are hiking in a line. Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

The Sogrisan Dullegil is currently entrusted and operated by the Korea Mountaineering & Trekking Support Center, with an estimated annual visitor count of 15,000.

From February to November each year, various programs are held on the Sogrisan Dullegil, including regular Saturday walking events, campaigns to improve hiking culture, humanities lectures on the forest trail, nature experience activities, stargazing trips on the forest trail, and walking competitions for multicultural families.

Notably, the Sogrisan Dullegil was also named this month on the list of National Forest Trails designated by the Korea Forest Service. National Forest Trails are designated to systematically manage forest trails with high ecological, historical, and cultural values that require organized operation and management.

The Korea Forest Service decided to designate the Sogrisan Dullegil as a National Forest Trail considering its symbolic value due to many old trails and cultural assets, and its high connectivity between regions such as Chungbuk and Gyeongbuk.

Accordingly, the Sogrisan Dullegil will establish operation and management guidelines according to a standardized quality management system, and an operation and management council composed of public and private sectors will take charge of its management.

As of this month, the designated National Forest Trails include nine locations: ▲ Sogrisan Dullegil ▲ Jirisan Dullegil ▲ Daegwallyeong Forest Trail ▲ Baekdudaegan Trail ▲ DMZ Punch Bowl Dullegil ▲ Naepo Cultural Forest Trail ▲ Uljin Geumgang Pine Forest Trail ▲ Daejeon Dullegil ▲ Hallasan Dullegil.

Provided by Korea Forest Service

Main stops: Imgok-ri Village Hall ~ Jang-an Information Center ~ Sangpan Information Center ~ Hapanggyo Bridge ~ Daewon-ri Village Hall ~ Geumdansan Summit

Course length: 63.49 km

Estimated time: 24 hours 50 minutes