[One Day Walk] Passing Wonhyoam Site to Arrive at Sudeoksa Temple... Naepo Cultural Forest Trail Wonhyo Enlightenment Path

Editor's NoteWe introduce walking courses designated as National Forest Trails due to their high forest ecological value or historical and cultural significance. National Forest Trails include Jirisan Dullegil, Baekdudaegan Trail, Daegwallyeong Forest Trail, Naepo Cultural Forest Trail, Hallasan Dullegil, and others.

The course introduced this time is Wonhyo Enlightenment Trail of the Naepo Cultural Forest Trail. The Naepo Cultural Forest Trail is a long-distance walking route connecting four cities and counties around Gayasan (Seosin City, Dangjin City, Yesan County, and Hongseon County), based on the historical, cultural, and ecological values of the Naepo region. The distance is approximately 320 km. Naepo refers to a place where a port is formed through waterways connecting deep inland to the sea. The Naepo Cultural Forest Trail is designated as a National Forest Trail. National Forest Trails are designated by the Forest Service Director as forest paths with high ecological and cultural value that require management.

The Naepo Cultural Forest Trail consists of four courses: Wonhyo Enlightenment Trail, Naepo Catholic Pilgrimage Trail, Baekje Revival Army Trail, Naepo Historical Figures Trail, and Naepo Donghak Trail. The Wonhyo Enlightenment Trail starts from the Naepo Cultural Forest Trail Yesan Center, passes through Okbyeonggye, Wonhyo Am Site, Geumsul Spring, and ends at Sudeoksa Temple. The total distance is 14.4 km. Due to the mountainous sections and the long distance, it is a challenging course, so beginners should prepare thoroughly. It is recommended to bring a guide map, compass, backpack, hiking boots or trekking shoes, water bottle, jacket, ID, and first aid kit.

Geumsulsaem.
[Photo by Naepo Munhwa Supgil Homepage]

Starting from the Deoksan Provincial Park parking lot and climbing the mountain trail, you will reach the Wonhyo Am Site, where Monk Wonhyo is said to have gained enlightenment after drinking skull water. It would be nice to gain at least one precious personal insight. At Wonhyo Am Site, there is Eunsul Spring and a fairly spacious cave in the rock. The trail continues to Yunpil Am Site and Uisang Am Site, offering a panoramic view of the Yedang Plain. After crossing Gayasan and passing Dunri Reservoir, you will find Geumsul Spring along the forest path. Geumsul Spring is located inside a rock east of Uisang Am Site. Until the 1960s, a painter lived at Uisang Am Site and used this spring water for drinking. Although the exact time is unknown, the water surface is said to be covered with a golden color, and seeing this is believed to bring great luck. Following the path, you will see Yukgoejeong (six Zelkova trees) and eventually reach the thousand-year-old temple Sudeoksa. The Daeungjeon Hall of Sudeoksa is the oldest existing building with records and is considered a masterpiece of Goryeo temple architecture. You can feel the solemnity of its gabled roof and enjoy following the legend of Sudeok Gaksi and Jeonghye Youth associated with the rock behind the hall.

[Photo by Naepo Munhwa Supgil Homepage]

In addition, the Wonhyo Enlightenment Trail includes courses from the second course, which starts at Sudeoksa and retraces the footsteps of Monk Gyeongheo who led the revival of modern Seon Buddhism, reflecting on the meaning of enlightenment, up to the eighth course, which starts at Anguksa Temple and continues to Yeongnangsa Temple, the last temple on the Wonhyo Enlightenment Trail.

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