[One Day Walk] Following the Footsteps of Nammyung Josik: 'Unri-Deoksan' Course

Jirisan Dulle-gil 'Unri-Deoksan' Course... 13.9km
Rich Attractions Including Baegun Valley and Nammyung Josik Memorial Hall

Editor's NoteJirisan is a mountain with an elevation of 1915m, designated as South Korea's first national park. The mountain range spans Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces, and is considered a sacred mountain of the Korean people. Walking the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail, which passes through 21 sections, 20 towns and townships, and over 100 villages, allows you to encounter nature, people, and the history of Yeongnam and Honam regions. We introduce the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail, which stretches a total of 300km and is as generous as a father's embrace.

The 'Unri-Deoksan' section of the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail is a course that goes from Unri Village in Danseong-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province to Sari in Sicheon-myeon. It is 13.9km long, takes about 5 hours, and has a difficulty level of 'high'.

Unri (雲里) was the location of Dansoksa Temple and refers to three villages: Tapdong, Bondong, and Wonjeong. Upon entering Wonjeong Village, two zelkova trees stand in the center. According to oral tradition, rural scholars used to rest here when going to take the civil service examination. Next to the zelkova trees is a well site. Before the introduction of tap water, it was used as a source of drinking water and a laundry site.

Walking 6.2km from Wonjeong Village leads to Baegun Valley. The road to Baegundong, where Baegun Valley is located, was originally a logging route called Unjae. Baegun Valley is a place where the water stream coming down from Ungseokbong Mountain takes a brief rest before flowing into the Deokcheon River. The valley is deep and the water is clear. A large pool beneath the rocky cliffs is called 'Dajiso,' said to grant knowledge to those who bathe in it. 'Deungcheondae,' where the water current rises toward the sky, is also a famous spot. It is said that Nammyung Josik (1501?1572), a Confucian scholar of the mid-Joseon period, frequently visited this valley.

Walking about 2km further from Baegun Valley brings you to the entrance of Mageundam. Mageundam is one of the remote villages in Sancheong, divided into Inner Mageundam and Outer Mageundam. The name Mageundam is said to have originated from being surrounded like a wall on all sides in a mountain valley, once called 'Makhindam.' There is also a story that the valley's shape resembles a straight horse root, which gave it its name. The area is densely populated with pine and oak trees. It is also famous as a habitat for woodpeckers.

The path from Mageundam to Deoksan is downhill. The paved downhill road crosses between Ibangsan and Suyangsan Mountains. Visiting in late spring, you can see the flowers of the Korean snowbell tree (Styrax japonicus) at every corner. Just passing by the tree, a sweet fragrance is carried to your nose. The flower language of the Korean snowbell is 'humility.' Its fruit ripens in autumn.

Descending the mountain trail and entering the entrance of Deoksan, you will find the Nammyung Josik Memorial Hall and Sancheonjae. Sancheonjae is a study room built by Josik, overlooking Cheonwangbong Peak. Next to Sancheonjae, a memorial hall was built to house Josik's relics. Josik is a representative scholar of Yeongnam's right province, comparable to Toegye Yi Hwang of Yeongnam's left province. He did not pursue an official career but devoted himself solely to academic research. By the mid-Joseon period, the 'Nammyung School,' which followed Josik's scholarship and virtue, was formed centered in Yeongnam's right province. The Nammyung School participated in the righteous army activities during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War).

The final destination, Deoksan, was formerly a place name encompassing the areas of Sicheon-myeon and Samjang-myeon, but now refers to Sari, the administrative center of Sicheon-myeon. Deoksan is said to have originated from Deoksansa Temple located in the Daehari area of Samjang-myeon. Sicheon was named for its fast-flowing water, likened to an arrow. Sari was originally called Silgol, meaning a valley that is long and narrow like thread, and later written in Chinese characters as Sari (絲里). Deoksan is also famous for its dried persimmon market, where dried persimmons are traded.

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