[Jo Yongjun's Journey] Splash, Splash Splash~ The Heatwave Disappears

Trekking in a Valley Surrounded by Geumgang Pine
Passing Nine Bends of Gulgulji to Wangpicheon
A Fail-Proof Summer Vacation, Waterway Trekking

People enjoying valley trekking at Wangpicheon in Uljin. Photo by Jo Yongjun

If you encounter rapids while following the waterway, you must detour via trails or other routes. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Yongso Section, offering the most beautiful scenery in Wangpicheon. Photo by Jo Yongjun

A person enjoying valley trekking. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Walking along the waterway. Except for the sound of footsteps splashing through the water, it is utterly quiet. Occasionally, only mountain birds chirp as they pass by. You can walk along the valley, using the continuous refreshing sound of water as your music. When the path ends, climb over the rocks; if the rocky path also ends, just plunge into the valley water. The scorching heatwave is in full swing. You will want to throw yourself into the ice-cold valley water. Even if your whole body is soaked in sweat from the heatwave, as you wade through the valley water, the heat will soon disappear. You can also blow away the stress worn down by daily life in one go. Although vacation travel destinations vary, is there anything better than an active and enjoyable valley trekking trip? Let's head to the Wangpicheon Valley in Uljin. It is considered a remote area even within Uljin and is the largest ecological landscape conservation area in the country.

Wangpicheon Valley, Uljin. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Wangpicheon (60.95 km) originates in Yeongyang County, passes through Uljin County, and flows into the East Sea. Surrounded by mountains and cliffs, it is difficult to access and is considered a remote area.

The name Wangpicheon was given because King Gongmin of Goryeo fled here to escape the Hong Geon-jeok rebellion at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. The mountain ridge surrounding Wangpicheon is called Tonggosan (通高山, 1067m), named because King Gongmin crossed it while lamenting the declining national fortune.

Following the sign for 'Wangpicheon Gulgugi Village' and crossing nine passes, you will find a small village. This is 'Gulgugi,' the starting point for trekking. There are two ways to enjoy Wangpicheon: valley trekking over rocks and waterways from Gulgugi Village to Yongso (4 km), or using the ecological trail from Yongso to Soksam Village (5 km). You can enjoy both, which takes more than 6 hours.

Setting out on the trek. Wangpicheon trekking is most popular along the S-shaped valley, walking on sandbanks and gravel banks, climbing rocks, and crossing 5 to 8-meter-wide streams. Walking along the waterway, you will climb mountain slopes or enter deep valleys, feeling the cool water brushing your ankles. Wangpicheon trekking is said to be best enjoyed by wetting your feet as you walk.

Even on days when the heatwave is intense, immersing yourself in the valley brings a thrilling coolness. Photo by Jo Yongjun

People enjoying water play while soaking in the valley. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Wangpicheon is not as widely known as its name suggests. It becomes briefly crowded in summer with people who come by word of mouth, but it is much quieter compared to other valleys. Thanks to minimal human interference, it retains its natural scenery. Walking along the crystal-clear waterway over gravel beds, sandbanks, and white rocks is a special experience.

There are no people in the valley. Except for the crunching sound of footsteps, it is utterly quiet. Occasionally, only mountain birds chirp as they pass by. If you erase the sound of water, there is no other silence like this.

After walking about 4 km from Gulgugi Village, the best scenic spot of Wangpicheon, Yongso (Dragon Pool), appeared. The area around Yongso was rugged with steep cliffs. The water depth is said to be as much as 10 meters.

From the Yongso Observatory on the ecological trail, you can see the winding Wangpicheon valley, jagged cliffs, and majestic grayish rocks. The roaring sound of the flowing valley water makes your whole body tingle with excitement.

Valley trekking with active enjoyment. Photo by Jo Yongjun

A person is jumping into the valley water. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Wangpicheon has relatively warm water temperature and a gentle riverbed, so walking along the waterway is not very strenuous. However, it is better to detour via the ecological trail around Yongso or areas with rapid currents.

Passing the famous spots Yongso and Haksodae (Crane Nest Terrace), you enter a forest path densely packed with Korean pine and oak trees. It is an oak tree community. In the past, people from Wangpiri in Seomyeon used this path to travel to the market in Geunnam-myeon.

After repeatedly climbing up and down the valley, you reach a gorge with Songi Rock and Turtle Rock. These names were simply given based on the shapes of the rocks, but they resemble their names remarkably well.

If your goal is not to complete the entire route to Soksam Village, the typical valley trekking course is to return after visiting the area near Yongso. Turning back, you let your body relax in the waterway. The breeze blowing through the Korean pine forest is refreshing. The heatwave has already disappeared.