[One Day Walk] The Path of 'Ganghwador-ryeong' Tied to King Cheoljong's First Love... Ganghwa Nadeulgil Course 14

The nickname of Ganghwa Nadeulgil Course 14 is 'Ganghwadorong First Love Road.' As the name suggests, it is a path intertwined with the story of Cheoljong Iwonbeom, the 25th king of Joseon, who was called Ganghwadorong. The total length is 11.7 km, and it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Starting from Yongheunggung, the route passes through Cheonghadong Mineral Spring, Namjangdae, Chanumul Mineral Spring, and reaches Cheoljong's maternal family home.

Although Iwonbeom was born in Hanyang, in 1844 when he was 14 years old, a rebellion plot by Min Jinyong to enthrone his eldest brother I-myeong was uncovered. His eldest brother was executed by poison, and Iwonbeom, along with his younger brother Iuk, was exiled to Ganghwa Island. While living as a woodcutter, Iwonbeom was suddenly designated as the heir to the throne in 1849 when his seventh cousin, King Heonjong, died without an heir. This was because the only men who inherited King Hyojong's bloodline were Iwonbeom and Iuk. When the ministers, including the Yeonguijeong (Prime Minister), came to Ganghwa Island to enthrone Iwonbeom, he naturally thought they had come to arrest him for being involved in the rebellion and fled into the mountains. During this escape, his second brother fell and broke his leg. However, after the ministers persuaded him, he eventually went to Hanyang to become king.

The starting point of today's course, Yongheunggung, was the house where Cheoljong lived while on Ganghwa Island. Originally a thatched house, after Cheoljong ascended the throne, the Ganghwa magistrate rebuilt it as a tiled roof house. The Yongheunggung signboard is said to have been written by Heungseon Daewongun, the father of King Gojong, Cheoljong's successor.

Crossing through Ganghwa County town and entering the Namsan-gil walking trail, you will come across Cheonghadong Mineral Spring. From here, Iwonbeom's love story begins in earnest. According to legend, this is where Iwonbeom first met his first love, Bong-i. After that, the two secretly met at this mineral spring, avoiding people's eyes, and nurtured their love by going back and forth past Namjangdae and along the forest path to Chanumul Mineral Spring. The reason this path is called 'Ganghwadorong First Love Road' is because the Nadeulgil was created following the route they took. After Iwonbeom left, Bong-i is said to have placed water from the spring on the Turtle Rock above the spring every dawn and prayed earnestly for something.

As you climb the mountain along the Nadeulgil, you will eventually reach the summit of Namsan. At the top of Namsan is Namjangdae, part of Ganghwa Fortress. It was a military facility belonging to Jinmuyoeng, which was responsible for defending the west coast during the Joseon Dynasty, serving as a lookout and command post. It was destroyed during the Byeonginyangyo in 1866 and restored in 2010. Namjangdae is not a gate, so you must exit the fortress through a secret gate. A secret gate refers to a gate built without a door. It was constructed deep inside the fortress in a secluded area to secretly transport supplies and move troops without the enemy knowing.

Walking down the mountain, you will come across Chanumul Mineral Spring. This is the path where Iwonbeom and Bong-i traveled back and forth, sharing their love. Even after ascending the throne, Cheoljong could not forget his memories with Bong-i and occasionally sent people to bring Makgeolli brewed with water from this spring and turnip kimchi to the palace to soothe his longing.

The last point of today's course is Cheoljong's maternal family home. It was built in 1853 after Cheoljong's enthronement and was the house where his maternal uncle Yeom Bogil lived. Originally, it was an H-shaped building with an inner quarters and a sarangchae (men's quarters), but now only the main building in a ㄷ shape remains after part of the haengnangchae (servants' quarters) was demolished. Near the house are the tombs of Cheoljong's maternal grandfather Yeom Seonghwa and others.