[Harumanbo] 'Tame the Tiger Spirit'... Walking the Path Following the Legend of Taejo Yi Seong-gye

'Seoul Dullegil 2.0' Hoamsan Course
A Path Embracing Folklore, Pungsu, and History

It was when Taejo Yi Seong-gye decided to make Hanyang the capital and build a palace.

After leveling the palace site and erecting pillars, just when it seemed "it will soon be completed," the building would often collapse overnight. One night, Taejo dreamed of a strange monster that was half tiger and half an unidentifiable creature, breathing fire from its eyes and crashing into the palace. In his distress, Taejo heard the voice of an old man from somewhere. The old man told him that if a temple was built at the tail part of the mountain shaped like a tiger, everything would go smoothly, and then disappeared.

Upon hearing this story, Muhak Daesa built a temple on Hoam Mountain to suppress the tiger's energy. After that, the palace was built smoothly. That temple is Hoapsa (虎壓寺), located on Samsung Mountain, about a 30-minute walk east from Siheung in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul.

It can be seen on the 'Seoul Dulle-gil 2.0' Course 12, the 'Hoam Mountain Course.'

Course 12, which also features the Gwanaksan Valley Camping Forest and the Hanwumul Pond at the summit of Hoam Mountain, starts at Exit 1 of Gwanaksan Station.

The route continues from Samsung Mountain Sacred Site - Hoapsa - Hoam Mountain - Hanwumul - Hoam Mountain Waterfall - Hoam Mountain Forest Park - to Exit 2 of Seoksu Station.

The characteristic of this trail is the enjoyment of walking along folklore from the Joseon Dynasty, such as the story of 'Hoapsa.' The Hanwumul at the summit of Hoam Mountain is 22 meters long and 12 meters wide, made of granite. Despite being at the mountain top, the water volume remains constant and is always clear, giving a sense of mystery. Near the well site, animal statues were discovered, and there is a legend that they were erected to prevent fires in Seoul.

The total length of the Hoam Mountain Course is 7.3 km, taking about 3 hours and 30 minutes to walk, with a difficulty level of 'medium.'