[Jo Yongjun's Journey Miles] Over There, Even Worries Flow Away~

Invitation to Summer Valleys in Goesan, Popular Contactless Travel Destination to Visit After the Monsoon Ends

Galong Gugok, located in the deepest part of Goesan, which is famous for its deep valleys, is a quiet place with few visitors, making it ideal for spending a socially distanced summer during the COVID-19 era. Recently, it was selected as one of the top 100 non-face-to-face tourist destinations and is also recognized as a promising small-scale potential tourist site by the Korea Tourism Organization's Sejong Chungbuk branch.

Seonyu Gugok

[Asia Economy, Reporter Cho Yong-jun, Travel Specialist] The longest rainy season in history continues. This summer, many people gave up their vacations due to the rainy season and the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, once the rainy season ends, a sudden heatwave will likely arrive. Taking a short break from the city to enjoy some summer retreat is a good way to recharge. Instead of crowded beaches, I recommend visiting secluded valleys or forests. Sitting by a winding valley flowing through a dense forest and soaking your feet or lying down with the sky as your blanket is nothing short of heavenly. We head to Goesan, Chungbuk, famous for its numerous valleys. The Hwayang Valley and Seonyu Valley, where Joseon-era scholars Toegye Yi Hwang and Uam Song Si-yeol were captivated by the scenery and named various spots, are well-known. The Galron Gugok across Goesan Lake from Sanmaki Old Road offers spectacular crystal-clear waters. Recently, it was selected as one of the top 100 untact (contactless) valleys by the Korea Tourism Organization. Ssanggok Valley, perfect for water play with children, boasts the breathtaking scenery of Sogeumgang. That's not all. There are also Sagam Valley, Yeonha Gugok, Punggyegugok, and Gosan Gugok named along the Goegang stream. Walking the most famous Sanmaki Old Road in Goesan is also a great option.

The first valley we visited among Goesan's many valleys was Galron Gugok. Often called Gareun Gugok, the name 'Gareun (葛隱)' literally means 'a place to hide while digging and eating kudzu roots.' It is the deepest valley even among the famously deep valleys of Goesan. Recently selected as an untact tourist destination, Galron Gugok is also a small-scale potential tourist site designated by the Korea Tourism Organization's Sejong Chungbuk branch.

The nine scenic spots (Gugok) of Galron Gugok include Gangseondae, where a celestial being is said to have descended, Gareun Dongmun, Galcheonjeong, Okryubyeok, Geumbyeong, Guam, Gosong Yusjae, Chilhak Dongcheon, and Seongukam.

From Chilseong-myeon, passing Goesan Hydroelectric Power Plant and going about 12 km in, you will find the Galron Village signpost. It reads, 'A famous poem engraved in every valley, Gareun Gugok.'

Upon entering the valley, you are first captivated by the indigo-colored water. The water is so clear that the small stones at the bottom are distinctly visible. When you dip your feet in, the thrilling coldness reaches the tips of your hair, startling you. The sweat on your forehead quickly disappears, and within five minutes, you find yourself pulling your feet out. The water is so cold and clear that you can almost feel the chill.

On one side of the valley, a family enjoying water play has spread out a mat and is quietly having fun. With few visitors, it feels as if they have rented the entire valley for a private summer retreat.

Starting from the rock at the first scenic spot and following the valley upwards, the view becomes more spectacular. The clear water flowing leisurely over the rocks reflects the blue sky and clouds, and just looking at it seems to clear the chest weighed down by COVID-19.

Gallon Gugok

The valley continues past Okryubyeok and Chilhak Dongcheon to the ninth scenic spot, Seongukam. Seongukam means the place where four elderly friends of the same age played Go (baduk). The phrase '四老同庚 (Sano Donggyeong)' is engraved on the four corners of the Go board-shaped rock.

While Galron Gugok feels deep and hidden, Hwayang Valley and Seonyu Valley are well-known places. Lee Jung-hwan praised them in his book 'Taekriji' as 'the finest scenery south of Geumgangsan.' Especially, Hwayang Gugok is designated as a national scenic site (No. 110). It is said that Song Si-yeol, a scholar of the mid-Joseon period, loved the landscape and lived here in seclusion. The nine scenic spots in Hwayang-dong were named after the Wuyigugok in China.

The valley trail from Gyeongcheonbyeok, the starting point of Hwayang Gugok, to the last spot, Pacheon, is like a masterpiece by a great writer, with no scenery to overlook.

The nine scenic spots of Hwayang Valley, connected by large rocks, cliffs, and blue pools (沼), are all vivid without any haze. These include Unyeongdam (雲影潭), meaning 'water's edge shaded by clouds,' Haksodae (鶴巢臺), where a blue crane nested and laid eggs on a rock, and Cheomseongdae (瞻星臺), a place where you can see stars on piled-up large rocks. Despite over 300 years of changes in water flow and terrain, the valley has almost perfectly preserved its original form, making you naturally nod in agreement with the meanings behind each name.

Clear water flows over the widely spread flat rocks, and the surrounding dense forest creates a magnificent view. Eupgungam, where Song Si-yeol reportedly wept daily upon hearing of King Hyojong's death, is intriguing with a hole formed by a small depression on the flat rock causing a whirlpool in the rapid stream.

Hwayang Gugok

The best scenery of Hwayang Gugok is at the last ninth spot, Pacheon. The geography book 'Hwayangji (華陽誌),' published about 50 years after Song Si-yeol's death, praised Pacheon as 'the foremost scenic spot in Hwayang Valley.' However, not many visitors reach the ninth spot. The first to seventh spots are close, but the eighth and ninth are relatively far apart. Yet, once there, you understand why it is considered the best scenery.

If Hwayang Gugok has a bold and straight masculine charm, Seonyu Gugok retains the graceful beauty of a woman. Upon arriving at the entrance of Seonyu Gugok, a cluster of four to five large rocks stacked like a celestial being's pagoda draws your attention. Starting from the first spot, Seonyu Dongmun, the trail continues through Yeondanro, Waryongpok, Gigukam, Guam, and ends at the ninth spot, Eunseonam. Below Gyeongcheonbyeok, where rocks rise like sheer cliffs, cool water fills the area.

After leaving Seonyu Gugok, head to the Sogeumgang Rest Area. The second spot of Ssanggok Gugok, Sogeumgang, unfolds like a folding screen right in front of the rest area. Among Ssanggok Gugok, Sogeumgang is the best, resembling a part of Geumgangsan moved here. It is located next to Provincial Road 517, making it easily accessible by car. You can enjoy the scenery comfortably with a refreshing cup of coffee.

Ssanggok Gugok stretches 10.5 km from Ssanggok Village in Chilseong-myeon to Jesurijae, featuring Horongso, Sogeumgang, Byeongam (Tteokbawi), Munsuam, Ssanggok Waterfall, and Jangam (Madangbawi). It boasts majestic mountains such as Bobaesan, Chilbosan, Gunjasan, and Bihaksan, clear water flowing through the valleys, bizarre cliffs, and dense forests of old pine trees.

Sanmaki Old Road

Upon entering the valley, the clear and transparent water welcomes you first. The valley water flows over high waterfalls into a wide dragon pool, which is deep and prohibits swimming. Instead, sitting on the flat rock above the dragon pool and dipping your feet in the waterfall-like water refreshes your travel fatigue.

Going further upstream from Goesan Lake along the Dallae River, you reach Sadam Valley below Gongrimsa Temple, a wide valley suitable for water play. Even during the peak summer season when vacationers flock to Hwayang Valley or Seonyu Valley, this area is less crowded. Following the waterway below the recreational area, you can find many quiet spots for water play. You can spread out your mat wherever you like and enjoy water play for half a day, forgetting the heat.

Goesan = Written and photographed by Cho Yong-jun, travel specialist jun21@

◇ Travel Notes

△Getting there=From the metropolitan area, take the Yeongdong Expressway to Yeoju Junction, transfer to the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway, and exit at Goesan Interchange. Follow National Road 19 toward Goesan town, then turn left at Goegang Samgeori to National Road 34, leading to Galron Gugok, Sanmaki Old Road, and other destinations.

△Attractions=The most famous place in Goesan is Sanmaki Old Road, a walking trail carved along a cliff on the mountainside. The three zelkova trees in Uryeong Village, Ogari, Jangyeon-myeon, are also famous. Gakyeonsa Temple, the National Leisure Camping Site, and the waterside trail around Goesan Lake across from Sanmaki Old Road are part of the Songnisan Dulle-gil and the Chungcheong-do Yangban Trail.

△Food=Try Saebaengi Maeuntang (spicy fish stew) made with freshwater shrimp, a local Chungcheong dish known for its spicy and refreshing taste. Several restaurants near Goegang Bridge at Goegang Samgeori serve this stew. Another famous Goesan delicacy is Olgaengi Haejangguk (freshwater snail hangover soup), made with freshwater snails caught in Goegang. Many popular restaurants are clustered around the intercity bus terminal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.