[Digging Travel] In the Breath of Nature and History, the Pilgrimage Path Offers 'Healing and Enlightenment'

'New Sacred Sites' 50 Pilgrimage Routes Including Religion, History, Nature, and Remote Areas
New Book 'Pilgrimage Trails of Korea' Introduces a 3-Year Journey
Author Lee Jun-hwi: "Walk the Pilgrimage Trails with Peace of Mind and Feel Them Deeply with Your Heart"

The ultimate proof of faith, exchanging life for belief. Martyrdom was a moment of decision to offer one’s life with steadfast faith and hope in eternal life, seeking noble truth. In the Joseon Dynasty, where the king was considered a god and heaven itself, Catholicism was defined as a heresy by the government, which prioritized the king’s orders over God’s words. Many believers were beheaded and martyred through repeated persecutions. On the road connecting government offices and execution grounds, those who took steps toward death while walking the path of martyrdom to gain eternal life?what was the value of their faith, which they exchanged for their lives?

A view of Kimgahang Catholic Church located inside Euni Holy Site on 'Youth Kim Dae-geon Road' in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Yongin City Hall]

Author Lee Jun-hwi’s Pilgrimage Trails of the Republic of Korea introduces 50 domestic pilgrimage trails organized around four themes: religious faith, historical significance, nature, and villages. Having spent three years on the road, the author conveys through his writing an opportunity for inner enlightenment and life wisdom to those who walk the trails, beyond mere travel.

Following the author, who emphasizes the profound experience that walking itself offers, travelers encounter religious sites imbued with faith and reflection, alongside historical places where past and present intersect.

First, on the green earth encountered while walking, the Green Pilgrimage Trails include Jusangjeolli Pilgrimage Trail (Hantan River Mulwit-gil, Juwang Valley Geological Exploration Trail, Naeyeonsan 12 Waterfalls, Mudeungsan Geo Trail Section 1), Ramsar Wetlands Pilgrimage Trail (Daemamsan Yongneup, Upo Wetland Life Trail, Ungok Ramsar Wetland, Dongbaek Hill), Wildflower Pilgrimage Trail (Taebaek Geumdaebong, Inje Gombaeryeong, Sobaeksan Eoigok, Deogyusan Hyangjeokbong), and Unique Forest Pilgrimage Trail (Geomeun Oreum Exploration, Cheomchalsan Millennium Forest, Seonamsan Samneunggol Course, Uljin Geumgang Pine Forest Trail).

Life scenes encountered on the road, Village Pilgrimage Trails, include Remote Valley Pilgrimage Trails (Wangpicheon, Deoksan Machinery Valley, Deokpung Valley, Achimgari Valley), Unique Village Pilgrimage Trails (Goesan Sanmaki Old Road, Bisugumi Ecological Trail, Slow Lake Trail, Baegundong Wolha Village), and Story-filled Village Pilgrimage Trails (Taean Solhyanggi Trail, Untan Godeu Course 3, Yeongdo Jeolyeong Coastal Walkway, Jjolbeun Gapmajanggil).

Walking along history, Historical Exploration Pilgrimage Trails include Joseon Dynasty Founding Myth Pilgrimage Trails (Jungyeong Old Road, Sangiam King’s Road, Jinan Plateau Trail Section 1), Battle Site Pilgrimage Trails (Dongnae Eupseong Perimeter Trail, Hansando History Trail, Suncheon Jeongyu War Battle Site, Ulsan Fortress Exploration), and Exile Site Pilgrimage Trails (Danjong Exile Trail, Dasan Chodang Baekryeonsa Path, Chusa Exile Trail ? Path of Tenacity, Ganghwado First Love Trail).

Faith and reflection encountered on the road, Religious Pilgrimage Trails include Catholic Pilgrimage Trails (Young Kim Dae-geon Trail, Beoknae Pilgrimage Trail, Dasan Trail Section 2, Jeju Olle Trail Hachuja Island Section), and Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage Trails (Daeheungsa Tea Ceremony Trail, Seonunsa, Bongjeongam Pilgrimage Trail, Odaesan Seonjae Trail, Tongdosa Hermitage Pilgrimage Trail, Gayasan Sound Trail, Jogyesan Millennium Buddha’s Heart Trail).

Pilgrimage Trail Travel in South Korea.
[Photo by Deokju Publishing]

The author faithfully conveys his experiences walking the pilgrimage trails to readers by providing detailed guides for each course. For example, he visually represents the difficulty of the journey by indicating step counts and required time as hardship indicators, and offers detailed route guidance and elevation charts to make it easy even for beginners to follow. Through this, readers can consider their physical strength and time in advance before embarking on the pilgrimage trail and adjust the depth of their experience according to their own pace.

Lee Jun-hwi is a travel writer who has published various domestic travel guides such as Republic of Korea Bicycle Road Guide, Republic of Korea Natural Recreation Forest Guide, and Bicycle Travel Bible. In his new book Pilgrimage Trails of the Republic of Korea, he carefully conveys the small emotions that readers can feel on the road. “A pilgrimage trail is not simply a place where your feet touch down, but can become a milestone in life. I encourage readers to experience the time of faith and reflection found on the road as their own journey.”

As much time as the author has spent on the road, his experience goes beyond physical movement to encourage self-reflection and provide time to contemplate the essence of life. Through this book, which explores diverse pilgrimage trails encompassing religion, history, and nature, readers receive a gift of time to revisit forgotten values amid the hardships of daily life, while looking into Korea’s history and traditions beyond simple trekking.

Pilgrimage Trails of the Republic of Korea / Written by Lee Jun-hwi / Deokju / 22,000 KRW