[Harumanbo] Jirisan Dulle-gil Protected by 150-Year-Old Paengnamu and Neutinamu Trees

16.7km from Samhwasil to Daechuk Village

Editor's NoteJirisan is a mountain with an elevation of 1915m, designated as South Korea's first national park. The mountain range spans Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do, making it a sacred mountain of the nation. Walking the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail, which passes through 21 sections, 20 towns and townships, and over 100 villages, allows you to encounter nature, people, and the history of Yeongnam and Honam regions. We introduce the Jirisan Dulle-gil, a generous trail stretching 300km like a father's embrace.

The Jirisan Dulle-gil section 'Seodang-Daechuk' is a course that goes from Samhwasil in Dong-ri, Jeokryang-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam to Daechuk Village in Cheokji-ri, Agyang-myeon. It is 16.7km long, takes about 7 hours, and has a difficulty level of 'medium.'

The journey begins by walking from Samhwasil to Ijeong Village. At the entrance of Ijeong Village, two trees?a 150-year-old Zelkova and a Chinese hackberry?stand guard. It is said that in the past, a landowner tried to convert this land into rice paddies to claim it, so the trees were transplanted from the mountain behind the village to prevent this. Crossing Ijeong Bridge and climbing the slope between Bapbong peaks, you meet the Jirisan Dulle-gil surrounded by a chestnut tree grove. Bapbong is a bowl-shaped peak named because it is said you can eat rice when the moon rises over the peak.

Climbing over the pass, you arrive at Seodang Village. Originally, Seodang Village was part of Sangwoo Village but was called Seodanggol. Seodanggol has now become a bamboo grove, leaving no traces, but it is said that there were several Seodang (traditional village schools). In Seodang Village, you can often see Ipap trees that bloom flowers shaped like rice grains. Walking along the Dulle-gil from Seodang Village, you will encounter Ugye Reservoir, which flows along the valley of Gujaebong Peak. It was completed in 1994 to supply agricultural water to the Jeokryang-myeon area of Hadong-gun. The surrounding mountains surround Ugye Reservoir like a folding screen, creating a beautiful landscape.

After 3.5km from Ugye Reservoir, you reach Sinchon Village. Located at a high altitude, you can see the surrounding mountains and fields at a glance. The presence of a mill site suggests it was once a fairly large village. Leaving Sinchon Village and heading toward Sinchonjae Pass, a winding long road unfolds. At Sinchonjae, there is a rest area with a simple restroom.

Passing Sinchonjae, you arrive at Meokjeom Village. This village is a white flower paradise in spring with plum and pear blossoms. There is a theory that the village was called Meokjeom because it produced ink in the past. Another story says that the front mountain of the village resembles a lamp, and Pilbong in Daap-myeon exists, so it was called Meokjeom to symbolize the four treasures of study (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone). Climbing Meokjeomjae Pass from Meokjeom Village, you can see the distant Seomjin River from an open viewpoint.

Walking downhill from Meokjeomjae leads to Midong Village. Midong Village is named because it is located east of Mijeom. The scent of green pine trees and fallen pine needles gives a cozy feeling. Roe deer and squirrels are often spotted here.

Passing through Mijeom Forest, you arrive at Daechuk Village, the endpoint of this Dulle-gil section. It is a village with deep history, once part of the ancient Nakno Kingdom during the Byeonhan period. Daechuk Village is home to the natural monument ‘Munamsong,’ a 600-year-old pine tree. It grows through a large rock of Amisan Mountain, reaching a height of 12.6m and a circumference of 3.2m. In the past, villagers believed that when danger such as war came, the rock around Munamsong would open to protect them. Every year on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, a ritual is held in front of Munamsong.