[One Day Walk] 'Donggang-Sucheol' Course Walking Along the Valley Mountain Trail

Hamyang Donggang-ri to Sancheong Sucheol-ri
12.1 km section, approximately 5 hours required

Editor's NoteJirisan is the first national park designated in South Korea, a mountain with an elevation of 1915 meters. The mountain range spans Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do, 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 300 km and is as generous as a father's embrace.

The Jirisan Dulle-gil section from ‘Donggang to Sucheol’ is a 12.1 km course connecting Donggang-ri in Hyucheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam, and Sucheol-ri in Geumseo-myeon, Sancheong-gun. This section takes about 5 hours to complete and is classified as ‘medium’ difficulty. Walking along the mountain path following the beautiful valley, you pass through four villages before reaching Sancheong.

Donggang Village consists of three natural villages: Pyeongchon, Jeomchon, and Giam. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was a village with a township office where public affairs and local administration were conducted. At the entrance of the village, there is ‘Sintul Rock,’ named because it resembles a frame used for making straw shoes.

Passing over Jaehye Bridge and moving towards Banggok Village, you will pass by the Sancheong-Hamyang Incident Memorial Park. During the Korean War, over 700 residents from Gahyeon and Banggok in Sancheong, Jeomchon in Hamyang, and Seoju Village across the Eomcheong River were brutally massacred under the pretext of eliminating partisans in Jirisan. This site remains a tragic chapter of modern history. To heal the wounds of history, a memorial tower and a joint burial ground were established.

From Banggok, after crossing a reservoir and walking about 2 km, you will reach Sangsa Waterfall. This waterfall is associated with several legends about unrequited love. In the hot summer, it is recommended to take off your shoes and dip your feet in the valley for a while.

1.87 km from Sangsa Waterfall is Ssangjae, a mountain pass that was frequently traveled in the past. It is said that people from Hamyang crossed Ssangjae to go to Deoksan Market in Sancheong to sell dried persimmons. Below Ssangjae, there was a village where peddlers could rest.

At the forest fire lookout post, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jirisan. To the left, you can see Sancheong, and to the right, Cheonwangbong and Jungbong peaks are visible. There is an information board on the deck in front of the post that describes the surrounding mountain ridges, so checking them one by one is also enjoyable. Walking through the oak forest, you will reach Godongjae. The mountain ridge around the pass is shaped like a sea snail shell, which is how Godongjae got its name.

If you follow the forest road instead of the forest path, you will find a zelkova tree rest area in front of the Sucheol Village hall. Sucheol Village was once called ‘Musojeom’ or ‘Sucheoldong’ because there was an iron shop that made pots and farming tools from cast iron.

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