[One Day Walk] A Historical and Cultural Path Bridging Modernity and Tradition... 'Gangneung Baugil Course 6'

'Bau-gil,' which captures the mountains and rivers of Gangwon-do, is a natural and human-friendly walking course. Gangneung Bau-gil Course 6 starts from the Namhangjin beach and passes through Gangneung Jungang Market, Mosanbong, Janghyeon Reservoir, and ends at the Haksan Odokttegi Jeonsugwan. The total distance is 18.2 km, with an estimated duration of 6 hours. Although it is the longest journey among the Bau-gil courses, it is relatively easy to walk because it passes through the city.

There is a saying, "Gangneung outside Dongdaemun." It means that Gangneung outside Dongdaemun is the best place to live, a phrase that Gangneung people have enjoyed using since ancient times. The path that confirms this reputation is the "Gangneung Bau-gil Course 6." Bau-gil Course 6 is a historical and cultural path where you can experience modernity, tradition, and nature through the route from downtown Gangneung to Haksan Village, where Beomil Guksa was born.

Starting from Namhangjin in the morning and walking along the Namdaecheon embankment, you will arrive at Gangneung Jungang Market just when you start feeling hungry. You can choose from a variety of foods, including seafood, agricultural products, beef head soup, and garlic bread. Enjoying the pleasures of seeing and eating at the Jungang Market, you will reach the center of Gangneung city.

Walking through the city, you will find the Gangneung Daedohobu Government Office. This was the place where the Daedohobu governor dispatched to Gangneung during the Joseon Dynasty resided, and several buildings necessary for local governance were constructed. The Gangneung government office was destroyed during the Japanese colonial period, and only the guesthouse gate and Chilsadang remain. Through restoration, it regained its current appearance in 2012.

Looking south from Chilsadang, the office of the Gangneung governor, you can see the peak called Mosanbong. It is named "Mosan" because it looks like a mother carrying a child on her back. It is also called "Munpilbong" because many talented people have emerged from there. Since ancient times, Mosanbong has been known as a peak that blocks disasters coming into Gangneung and provides spiritual comfort. While feeling this, as you climb the mountain, you can also visit the Mosanbong Observatory, which offers a panoramic view of the East Sea.

Descending Mosanbong and walking alongside Janghyeon Reservoir, the path leads to Haksan Village. Here, a rare wide field of rice paddies and farmland spreads out in Gangneung. Haksan Village is the birthplace of Beomil Guksa, a Seon master of the Unified Silla period and known as the guardian deity of Gangneung. Gulsansa Temple, founded by Beomil Guksa, now only has the temple site remaining, but through the Dangganjiju (flagpole supports) and stone Buddha statues, one can estimate it was a large temple. Beomil vowed to protect the land of Gangneung even after death and became the guardian deity of Daegwallyeong. Walking while tracing the traces of Beomil Guksa, you will arrive at the final destination of today's course, the Odokttegi Jeonsugwan.