[One Day Walk] 100-Year History of ‘Geumgangsong’ Forest... Gangneung Eoheulli Village ‘Daegwallyeong Pine Forest Trail’

[Editor's Note] The Korea Forest Service has selected 50 "Premium Forest Trails Perfect for Walking" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of national reforestation. The selected trails are accessible and suitable for about a day's hike, allowing the public to enjoy them easily and comfortably. Every Friday, we introduce these premium forest trails provided by the Korea Forest Service.

Today's 10,000-step course is the "Daegwallyeong Pine Forest Trail." This trail offers the advantage of walking close to the dense Geumgang pine forest of Daegwallyeong.

In particular, the Daegwallyeong Pine Forest, which surrounds the trail, holds a history of 100 years. This forest was established between 1922 and 1928 in the Eoheul-ri area of Seongsan-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. It was planted using direct seeding, sowing pine seeds directly, and has been maintained over an area of 400 hectares, equivalent to about 570 soccer fields.

In 2018, the Korea Forest Service and the Eastern Regional Forest Service launched the "National Forest Utilization and Mountain Village Revitalization Pilot Project" to promote the value of the Daegwallyeong Pine Forest to the public. They maintained the trails and created various experience and rest areas without harming the ecosystem. The Daegwallyeong Pine Forest was officially opened to the public around this time (2018).

During the period when the area was sparsely visited, this dense forest gained recognition for its value, being designated in 1988 as a "Forest for Cultural Heritage Restoration Timber Production."

A rest area set up in the Daegwallyeong Pine Forest Trail section. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

Furthermore, in 2000, at the "1st Beautiful Forest National Competition," it was recognized as a "Beautiful Forest to be Preserved for the 22nd Century," and in 2017, it was consecutively named one of the "Top 10 Premium Forests for Management and Scenery" by the Korea Forest Service, reaffirming its historical and outstanding qualities. In 2021, it was also designated as a Daegwallyeong National Forest Trail.

Currently, the average height of the pines rooted in the Daegwallyeong Pine Forest is 20 meters, and the circumference at breast height is 1.2 meters, making them superior to pines in other regions. The pine forest itself creates a magnificent scene.

Along the trail, besides the pine forest, visitors can see the "Sampoam" waterfall, a three-tiered waterfall about 20 meters high, meditate at "Pungyokdae" within the pine forest, and visit notable spots such as the Presidential Rest Area and the observatory.

Exploring the Daegwallyeong Pine Forest Trail can be done by following several branching paths. However, the main route most visitors take starts from the Eoheul-ri parking lot, goes to the observatory and Presidential Rest Area, and returns to the parking lot. Thanks to the light hiking nature of this route, which takes about three hours, it is easy to enjoy as a leisurely walk.

The tall Korean red pines have formed a clustered colony along the Daegwallyeong Pine Forest Trail. Photo by Korea Forest Service

While walking the trail, you can pass by the Sampoam Waterfall, fed by the stream flowing from Seonjaryeong Chomakgol, the Solsupgyo bridge where large pines stand closely together, and Pungyokdae, where the wind passes under the shade of pine trees.

Most importantly, the Daegwallyeong Pine Forest Trail connects with other forest trails such as the Daegwallyeong Old Road and Chomakgol hiking trail, allowing for diverse hiking routes.

Also, located in the same Eoheul-ri area, the Daegwallyeong Natural Recreation Forest and the National Daegwallyeong Healing Forest offer forest welfare services through their respective recreational facilities.

Provided by Korea Forest Service

Main stops: Eoheul-ri Parking Lot ~ Supsolgyo Bridge ~ Norumoki ~ Pungyokdae ~ Presidential Rest Area ~ Geumgangsongjeong ~ Supsolgyo Bridge ~ Eoheul-ri Parking Lot

Course length: 6.3 km

Estimated time: 3 hours 30 minutes

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