[Manbo Jeongdam] Which Walking Trails Does the Korea Forest Service Chief Recommend?..."Jirisan, Daegwallyeong, Baekdudaegan... Be Sure to Walk the National Forest Trails"

Nam Seong-hyun, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, recommended, "You should definitely try walking the 'National Forest Trails' at least once." National Forest Trails are forest paths designated and announced by the government because they are judged to have high ecological, historical, and cultural value, requiring systematic operation and management by the state.

Currently, there are nine designated National Forest Trails: ▲Jirisan Dullegil ▲Daegwallyeong Forest Trail ▲Baekdudaegan Trail ▲DMZ Punchbowl Dullegil ▲Naepo Cultural Forest Trail ▲Uljin Geumgang Pine Forest Trail ▲Daejeon Dulre Mountain Trail ▲Hallasan Dullegil ▲Sokrisan Dullegil.

Nam Seong-hyun, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, is introducing the purpose of designating national forest trails and the unique features of each national forest trail. Photo by Korea Forest Service

Jirisan Dullegil was designated as the first National Forest Trail in 2021. It is a forest trail that encircles Jirisan National Park. Although it is already a familiar name among long-distance hikers, completing the entire trail requires strong determination and a well-organized plan. The total length of Jirisan Dullegil is 289 km, divided into 21 sections.

Daegwallyeong Forest Trail spans a total length of 102.96 km and consists of 12 courses. It allows visitors to encounter the history of Daegwallyeong, a representative mountain pass of the Baekdudaegan that separates the Yeongdong and Yeongseo regions. Among the Daegwallyeong Forest Trail, the Seonjaryeong hiking trail is especially popular among hikers. The highlight is the exotic sight of dozens of wind turbines and the pristine sheep pasture at the summit of the Seonjaryeong trail section.

The Baekdudaegan Trail is a walking trail centered on the Baekdudaegan, located in Hongcheon, Inje, and Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province. It stretches 154 km and is divided into 10 sections. Among these, Section 1, the DMZ Punchbowl Dullegil, and Section 6, Achimgari, operate on a reservation-only basis, making it difficult to visit without prior booking.

The DMZ Punchbowl Dullegil overlaps with the Baekdudaegan Trail. This forest trail, with a total length of 73.22 km, connects the Peace Forest Trail, Oyubat Trail, Mandae Field Trail, and Meonmetjae Trail. Due to its geographical location at the northernmost point in the center of the Korean Peninsula, visitors can only explore it accompanied by a forest trail experience guide after making a reservation in advance.

The Naepo Cultural Forest Trail is the longest representative walking trail in the Naepo region of Chungnam, encompassing Seosan City, Dangjin City, Yesan County, and Hongseong County around Gayasan Mountain. It has a total length of 328.7 km and consists of 26 courses. Among these, four courses are considered major sections: Wonhyo Enlightenment Trail, Naepo Catholic Pilgrimage Trail, Baekje Revival Army Trail, Naepo Historical Figures Trail, and Naepo Donghak Trail.

The Uljin Geumgang Pine Forest Trail is divided into six sections with a total length of 79 km. It is the first forest trail in Korea to be opened to the public under a reservation system. The availability of each section varies by season, so visitors should check information in advance before exploring. The reservation system is a measure to protect the natural scenery intact.

The Daejeon Dulre Mountain Trail surrounds the city center of Daejeon, offering the advantage of experiencing both urban scenery and forest ecological resources. It is composed of 12 sections with a total length of 138 km. Section 5, the 'Gyejoksanseong Trail,' is gentle throughout, making it less burdensome to walk, and offers spectacular views of the blue waters of Daecheong Lake. Walking the 14.5 km Hwangto Road in the Gyejoksan forest bath area within the section is also a highlight.

Hallasan Dullegil is a forest trail that follows the logistics roads, forest roads, and transportation routes for shiitake mushroom cultivation from the Japanese colonial period, allowing visitors to experience Jeju's historical, cultural, ecological, and scenic resources. It stretches 80 km and is divided into six sections, making it a recommended challenge for those visiting Jeju Island in the summer.

The most recently designated National Forest Trail, Sokrisan Dullegil, was designated in November last year. It is a forest trail that crosses the Baekdudaegan, connecting a 208.6 km section encompassing Boeun County and Goesan County in Chungbuk and Sangju City and Mungyeong City in Gyeongbuk. Notably, Sokrisan Dullegil includes sections located within Sokrisan National Park, including Beopjusa Temple, and Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park, which includes the old Joryeong Road.