[One Day Walk] "A Walk at 700m Above Sea Level"... Pyeongchang 'Gukminui Sup Trekking 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 suitable for about a day’s hike and are easily accessible, allowing the public to use them comfortably and conveniently. Every Friday, we introduce these premium forest trails provided by the Korea Forest Service.

Today's 10,000-step course is the "Gukminui Sup Trekking Trail" located in Hoenggye-ri, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. The trail is named "Gukminui" (meaning "People's") because it is a flat path suitable for people of all ages to walk comfortably.

Above all, the Gukminui Sup Trekking Trail offers the advantage of exploring the forest path at an altitude of 700 meters, which is considered ideal for the human biological rhythm, allowing for a leisurely walk.

Additionally, nearby tourist attractions such as ski resorts and sheep farms make it suitable for leisure activities that combine forest trail exploration and sightseeing.

The reason visitors from all over the country come to the Gukminui Sup Trekking Trail regardless of weekends or weekdays is no different. This place is also highly utilized by athletes who come to use it as a running course.

Walking along the gentle dirt path through the forest, you will encounter plantations of Japanese larch, German spruce, Korean spruce, fir, and birch trees.

Due to the nature of the cultivated forest, the trees in the plantation appear to be standing in rows at regular intervals. Moreover, various tree species create different atmospheres with the changing seasons, delighting visitors' eyes.

The plantation was established in the 1970s as part of the slash-and-burn land consolidation project in Pyeongchang-gun. Various tree species were planted on fields previously cultivated by slash-and-burn farmers, and special afforestation techniques such as windbreak fences and tree guards were used to help the trees withstand strong winds, which is a unique feature of this plantation.

Even after the plantation was completed, forest management and trail development have continued steadily. In 2009, the Pyeongchang National Forest Management Office signed an agreement with Hoenggye 3-ri village in Pyeongchang-gun to maintain a cooperative relationship supporting the operation and management of the plantation and surrounding areas.

In the section of the People's Forest trekking trail, trees towering well above adult height are planted in neat rows. Photo by Korea Forest Service

In 2021, the Daegwallyeong Forest Trail (103 km), including the Gukminui Sup Trekking Trail, was designated as a national forest trail in recognition of its ecological, historical, and cultural value.

Especially recently, travel products themed around the Gukminui Sup Trekking Trail and others have been launched, and the number of visitors is expected to increase further.

Currently, the annual number of visitors to the Gukminui Sup Trekking Trail is estimated to exceed 40,000.

The Daegwallyeong village, where the Gukminui Sup Trekking Trail is located, is an area frequently covered in fog, and walking the forest trail on foggy days offers a unique experience that is not easily encountered.

National Forest Trekking Trail Map. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

Main stops: Parking lot comprehensive information board - Larch plantation - German spruce plantation - Birch plantation - Fir plantation

Course length: 5.4 km

Estimated time: 2 hours

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