Gwangyang City Fully Opens Baegunsan Eochi Valley Ecological Trail Dressed in Autumn Foliage

Expected to be a popular four-season untact (contactless) tourist destination ideal for walking with family and loved ones

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Gwangyang City announced that it has completed the ecological trail construction project in Eochi Valley of Baegunsan Mountain, Jinsang-myeon, where the autumn foliage is beautifully colored, and has fully opened it to citizens and visitors.

As the third phase of the ‘Baegunsan Four Major Valleys Tourism Attraction Project,’ the newly constructed ecological trail is a deck road in the form of a forest road connecting a total of 1.25 km from Naehwaegyo Bridge in Jinsang-myeon along the waterside of Eochi Valley to Gusi Waterfall.

The Eochi ecological trail pursued an eco-friendly approach that emphasizes linear development rather than area development, maintaining the terrain as much as possible while preserving the overall natural beauty.

Until now, there was no walking trail, so the valley could only be viewed limitedly from the roadside, but with the opening of this ecological trail, visitors can now enjoy the valley’s outstanding natural scenery and hidden charms up close.

While enjoying contemplation and nature ecology, crossing the Eochi Arch Bridge and walking along the 108 steps, wooden bridge, and rest areas, one arrives at the majestic Gusi Waterfall.

Gusi Waterfall is named after a trough-like shape (Gusi = feeding trough) that looks like a long trough for feeding cows or pigs, and there is a legend that it never dries up even during severe droughts.

Also, if you go about 700 meters further up the forest road from Gusi Waterfall, there is a wide rock engraved with the characters ‘Orodae (午露臺),’ which is so cool that dew forms even in the middle of summer, spreading out like a yard.

Meanwhile, ‘Eochi’ is a Sino-Korean transcription of ‘Neurinjae’ or ‘Neujae,’ meaning a gently winding mountain pass that curves around the mountainside, and the spectacular view of Eokbulbong Peak reflecting in the clear Suwo Dam that embraces the valley is impressive.

Nearby, visitors can tour places such as Neuraengi-gol Natural Recreation Forest, Gwangyang Christian 100th Anniversary Memorial Hall, and Ungdong Church, and enjoy the luxury of tasting chicken baeksuk (boiled chicken) or charcoal-grilled chicken at the numerous mountain lodges.

Tourism Director Lee Hwa-yeop said, “The newly opened Eochi ecological trail is not only suitable for summer retreats but also a beautiful ecological road perfect for walking in late autumn when the leaves turn color, making it an all-season tourist destination. The trail connects to the hiking trail leading to the summit of Baegunsan Mountain, making it a customized healing space for the ‘with COVID-19 era’ that demands cleanliness and safety.”

He added, “We will continue to manage this lesser-known tourist site and develop it into a healthy and safe premium trail.”

As part of the Baegunsan Four Major Tourism Attractions Project, the city has completed maintenance of Seongbul Valley and Donggok Valley, including the newly opened Eochi Valley, and plans to complete the project by next year by gradually installing convenience and experience facilities in Geumcheon Valley.

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