[One Day Walk] Serene Forest Path and Riverside Walk along 'Geumgye-Donggang'

Distance of 12.7 km via Byeoksongsa
Estimated time 5 hours... Difficulty 'Medium'

Editor's NoteJirisan is the first national park designated in the Republic of Korea, standing at an elevation of 1,915 meters. The mountain range spans Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do, and is considered a sacred mountain of the Korean people. 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 a total length of 300 km, like a father's embrace.

The Jirisan Dulle-gil section from Geumgye to Donggang connects Geumgye Village in Hamyang, Gyeongnam, with Donggang-ri. Passing through deep mountain villages and temples at the foot of Jirisan, you can encounter the Eomcheon River. The route via Byeoksongsa Temple is 12.7 km long and is estimated to take 5 hours. The difficulty level is classified as 'medium.' It consists of quiet forest paths, old trails along the river, and forest roads.

Crossing the Uitan Bridge from Geumgye Village, you arrive at Uijung Village. At the entrance of the village stands a 600-year-old zelkova tree Dangsan (village guardian tree). Passing through the village, you can see 'Samgut-teo,' shaped like an S-shaped curved field. This was a place where the village collectively lit fires to make paper over 100 years ago, but it is now fading from memory. From the upper Dangsan of Uijung Village, the path splits toward Yongyudam or Byeoksongsa Temple.

On the way to Byeoksongsa, there is Seoeam Jeongsa. Sitting atop the Jirisan mountain range, it offers a distant view of Cheonwangbong Peak while facing Chilseon Valley. Here, you can enjoy a breathtaking natural landscape.

Byeoksongsa is one of the representative temples in the northern part of Jirisan. It was founded by the monk Byeoksong Ji-eom during the reign of King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty and is a historic temple where Seosan Daesa and Samyeong Daesa practiced. There is a three-story stone pagoda designated as a treasure, which inherits Silla architectural style.

Walk while enjoying the scenery of Yongyudam, where beautiful valleys and bizarre rock formations unfold. You will reach Sedong Village, famous as a production site of dak paper during the Joseon Dynasty. The surrounding mountains had many dak trees, and in the past, villagers were busy boiling dak trees and making paper. You can see mountain village houses using rocks as walls and houses sitting on flat rocks.

Passing Songmun Bridge and Unseo Village, you come to Gushirakjae. Gushirakjae is a mountain pass that leads from Unseo Village to Donggang Village. Walk while overlooking the Eomcheon River. This path is an old trail mentioned in 'Yuduryurok,' written by Confucian scholar Kim Jong-jik, who came down as the magistrate of Hamyang County and toured Jirisan during the late Joseon period.

Crossing Gushirakjae, you can clearly see Donggang Village. In Donggang Village, there is 'Sintteul Rock,' which resembles the frame used to make straw shoes. Next to a clear stream, there is a charming Dangsan resting area in Donggang Village, making it a good spot to take a short break.