[One Day Walk] Enjoying Scenery Along Hantan River on 'Pocheon Course 14'

Jung3-ri Village Hall~Uncheon Terminal, 9.2km Section
Estimated Time 3 Hours 5 Minutes...Difficulty 'Hard'

The Gyeonggi Dullegil ‘Pocheon Course 14’ is a 9.2 km section that starts in front of the Jung 3-ri Village Hall, passes Hantan River Sky Bridge, Meonguri Gorge, Yeongbuk Police Substation, and ends at Uncheon Terminal. The estimated time required is 3 hours and 5 minutes, and the difficulty level is classified as ‘hard’.

Walking from in front of Jung 3-ri Village Hall, you can see the Hantan River flowing along a dizzying cliff. The Hantan River begins at Pyeonggang Chugaryeong Valley in the northern region and flows into the Imjin River at Jeongok, Yeoncheon County. It is 134.5 km long and is the first tributary of the Imjin River. Because it flows over a lava plateau, the river has developed gorges and is famous for creating beautiful scenery. The name Hantan comes from ‘Hanyeoul,’ meaning ‘big rapid.’ The Hantan River was also certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark in July 2020.

The ‘Hantan River Sky Bridge,’ a pedestrian-only bridge spanning the Hantan River, is 200 meters long. Standing on this 50-meter-high suspension bridge, you can enjoy the views of the Hantan River and the columnar jointing gorge. It is recommended to take commemorative photos here, where you can feel like you are walking in the sky.

Walking along the Hantan River, you will encounter the Pigeon Nang Waterfall. It is called Pigeon Nang because it is said that ‘hundreds of white pigeons nested and lived here.’ The basalt columnar joint gorge and waterfall, formed about 270,000 years ago by lava outflow, are beautifully preserved and known as popular filming locations for dramas and movies.

Meonguri Gorge is a basalt gorge developed along the Hantan River. It consists of columnar joints about 20 to 30 meters high. Columnar joints refer to hexagonal stone pillars formed when hot lava cools and cracks. The approximately 4 km long Meonguri Gorge has gained a reputation as the ‘Grand Canyon of Korea.’ Meonguri is a compound word of ‘Meong’ and ‘Eulli.’ ‘Meong’ means ‘otter with golden fur.’ ‘Eulli’ comes from the shape of the terrain here, which curves like the Chinese character ‘Eul (乙).’ In summary, it means ‘a place where otters with golden fur live and the river flows with a large bend.’ Another story says the name comes from the rugged terrain here, where ‘if you fall, you get bruises (meonguri) on your body.’

Crossing the Busocheon Bridge over Meonguri Gorge, you part ways with the waterway. Passing through the Pocheon plain area, you can see soybean fields and other farmland. Walking along the symmetrically paved farm roads, you enter Yeongbuk town, and Uncheon Terminal marks the end of the course.