[One Day Walk] Catching the Phoenix Tail and Crossing the Ridge on the 'Gapyeong 25 Course'

Gapyeong Seorak Terminal~Yangpyeong Saneum Natural Recreation Forest
Total 20.3 km section... Estimated 6 hours 45 minutes required

The Gyeonggi Dullegil 'Gapyeong Course 25' is a 20.3 km section that starts from Gapyeong Seorak Terminal and passes through Sincheon 2-ri Senior Center, Changmal Entrance, Wigok 3-ri Village Hall, Machi Pass, Seolgok-ri Village Hall, and ends at Yangpyeong Saneum Natural Recreation Forest. The estimated time required is 6 hours and 45 minutes. The difficulty level is classified as 'medium.'

At Gapyeong Seorak Terminal, try stamping the starting stamp featuring the oyster mushroom of Seorak-myeon. The oyster mushroom of Seorak-myeon is one of Gapyeong's best specialty products. It is produced with clean air and clear water, which are essential growth conditions. It is known to have cholesterol-lowering effects.

Leaving Seorak Terminal, walk along the banks of Changui Stream, and from Sinpyo Bridge, you will walk along the road for about two hours. From Seolgok Village, where the road ends, follow the village road to reach Soseol Village. Soseol Village in Seolgok-ri, Seorak-myeon, is considered one of the Sipseungji. Sipseungji refers to ten places of land where people can live safely even in the event of natural disasters or wars. The mountain ridges from Yongmunsan and Bongmisan block three sides, and there is only one narrow path to the north, so it is said that Soseol Village was unharmed even during the Korean War.

Passing Soseol Village, enter Bongmisan from Seonggok Village. From now on, follow the forest road of Bongmisan to cross over to Yangpyeong. Bongmisan is a mountain formed by a ridge rising northward from Yongmunsan in Yangpyeong. The shape of the mountain resembles the tail of a phoenix, hence the name Bongmisan. Locals also call Bongmisan 'Sokrisan,' meaning a remote mountain separated from the world. There is a mysterious pond at the summit, so it is also called 'Neupsan' (Swamp Mountain).

The point where the forest road meets the Bongmisan ridge at the top is the boundary between Gapyeong-gun and Yangpyeong-gun. Upon entering Yangpyeong-gun, you will find the National Saneum Natural Recreation Forest area. The arrival stamp here features a picture of the Bongmisan Seonghwangdang. The Seonghwangdang, which enshrines the village guardian deity Seonghwang, is located at the summit of Bongmisan. Every spring, a ritual is held praying for the well-being of the five myeon (townships) formerly under the jurisdiction of Jipyeong-gun.