[One Day Walk] A New Beginning for Seoul Trekking... 'Seouldulle-gil 2.0' Course 1

This is a course of about 6.3 km from Dobongsan Station to the Danggogae Park junction. It takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. It is the first course among the 21 courses of 'Seoul Dulle-gil 2.0,' which Seoul City will officially operate starting this April.

The departure point is Exit 2 of Dobongsan Station in Dobong-gu, Seoul. You can also stamp your passport in front of the Seoul Changpowon Management Office across the street. Seoul Changpowon is an ecological park of Seoul City with a total area of 52,417㎡, themed around flowering irises including the Korean iris. It is divided into 12 themes, making it quite enjoyable to explore.

Next, cross Sangdo Bridge and walk toward Oksudang Neighborhood Park. Walking along the ecological pond, you will find the entrance to the Suraksan hiking trail. Before starting the hike in earnest, it is recommended to take a short rest at the octagonal pavilion on the right.

The Surakgol hiking trail is also called the 'Kim Si-seup Mountain Trail' in honor of Kim Si-seup, who lived in hiding on Suraksan after the Gyeyujeongnan rebellion. When you get a little tired walking the mountain trail, you will come across a valley. This valley is called Byeokundong Valley, meaning a valley with blue rocks and thick mist. You can also appreciate the calligraphy such as 'Byeokundongcheon' engraved on the rock by the calligrapher Lee Byeong-jik.

If you push a little further, you will reach Nowongol, from which the place name Nowon originated. Below Nowongol is a wide plain with many reeds, called Nowon Plain, and it was also called Madeul because horses used to run around there. The place name Nowon originated here. Madeul Nongyo, Seoul City Intangible Cultural Property No. 22, is a farmers' song sung in the Nowon Plain, and the poet Cheon Sang-byeong lived in Nowongol, so this path is also called the 'Cheon Sang-byeong Mountain Trail.'

After passing a spring, a quarry welcomes hikers at the end of the course. Located under Gwimibong Peak of Suraksan, this place was used as a quarry until recently. The view is excellent, offering a panoramic sight of Bulamsan, Yongmasan, Achasan, Gwanaksan, Namsan, and Bukhansan, with the city of Seoul nestled among them all at a glance.