Gwangyang City Recommends Baegunsan Dullegil Trail for a Cozy Winter Walk

9 Courses, Total 126.36km Enjoy Walking According to Your Taste

‘Seomjingang Maehwa-gil’ and ‘Tokkijae’ Meeting in the Year of the Black Rabbit

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] At the foothills of Baegunsan Mountain in Gwangyang, standing at 1,222m above sea level, there are nine distinctive walking courses totaling 126.36km, including the Millennium Forest Trail, Seomjingang Maehwa (Plum Blossom) Trail, and the Road to Grandma’s House, all of which can be enjoyed as circular routes.

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do is attracting attention by recommending the Baegunsan Dulle-gil Trail, where one can leisurely walk while breathing in the nature that stirs with life even in the easily withdrawn winter season.

The 1st course, ‘Millennium Forest Trail,’ stretches 10.86km from Okryongsa Temple Site to Oesan Village, Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest, Geummokjae, and Nonsil, taking about 4 hours.

At an altitude of 1,222m on the slopes of Baegunsan Mountain in Gwangyang, there are a total of 126.36km of distinctive trails, including the Millennium Forest Trail, Seomjingang Plum Blossom Trail, and the Road to Grandma's House.
Photo by Gwangyang City

This charming course allows you to walk while making eye contact with the majestic Baegunsan ridgeline, a path where you want to linger long embraced by the millennium-old forest.

The 2nd course, ‘The Meeting Path,’ runs 11.4km from Nonsil Village through Hanjae and Junghanchi Villages to Hacheon Village, taking about 4 hours, and is notable for its impressive large fir trees.

The 3rd course, connecting Hacheon Village to Maehwa Village, is the ‘Seomjingang Maehwa Trail,’ a total of 20.3km that takes about 7 hours, following the graceful Seomjingang River.

This course, from Namdo Bridge linking Gwangyang and Hadong to Maehwa Village, offers the chance to take commemorative photos with Sohakjeong’s plum blossoms, the earliest to bloom in South Korea.

The 4th course, ‘Baekhakdong Persimmon Flower Path,’ is a light 7.2km, 2 hour 30 minute course from Maehwa Village to Baekhakdong Village, offering views of Su-eoho Lake and Eokbulbong Peak.

Especially notable is Tokkijae, a hill shaped like a rabbit about to leap, making it a must-visit path this year of the Black Rabbit.

The 5th course, ‘Road to Grandma’s House,’ runs 14.4km over 5 hours from Baekhakdong Village through Ungdong Bridge, Jukyang Village, to Guksabong Land, filled with warm and comforting emotions like a mother’s embrace.

The 6th course, ‘Seonbi Nuri-gil,’ is a 12.7km, 4-hour course from Okryongsa Temple Site through Daebang Village, Daechijae, to Guksabong Land. Named after the scholars (seonbi) who wore straw shoes crossing Daechijae to take the old civil service exams, it traces the footsteps of ancient sages.

The 7th course, ‘Jungheungsa Earthen Fortress Path,’ connects Okryongsa Temple Site, Chusan Testing Ground, Jungheungsa Temple, Ssang-uisa, and Hajoma Village, a 12.7km, 4-hour course where you can glimpse Gwangyang’s history and culture while walking contemplatively.

The 8th course, ‘Moonrise Path,’ is an 8.4km, 4-hour course linking Hajoma Village, Seongbulgyo Bridge, and Wolchuljae Pass, where the dense forest trail and the clear water sounds of Seongbul Valley refresh the soul.

At Seongbulsa Temple, recently designated as a traditional temple, you can rest your tired legs while listening to the serene sounds of the scenery.

However, the endpoint Wolchuljae Pass is a junction between Gwangyang and Gurye, making public transportation difficult, so it is necessary to return to the starting point or arrange other means.

The 9th course, ‘Together on the Journey Path,’ starts at Wolchuljae Pass and passes through Hyojuk Village, Jungpyeong Village, arriving at Hacheon Village, a grand 25.4km trek taking over 8 hours.

Jung Gu-young, Director of Tourism, said, “Walking is the most sustainable exercise and method of contemplation that takes care of both body and mind,” adding, “The Gwangyang Baegunsan Dulle-gil Trail is a path of life connecting beautiful nature with the people and villages living within it.”

He continued, “In the winter when it’s easy to curl up because of the cold, I hope people visit the Gwangyang Baegunsan Dulle-gil Trail, where spring arrives first, and feel the excitement of welcoming spring.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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