[One Day Walk] 'Jucheon-Unbong' Overlooking the Northwest Ridge of Jirisan

Composed of Old Roads and Embankment Paths Connecting Wide Fields and Villages
Estimated Duration About 6 Hours... Difficulty Level 'Medium'

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, 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, a 300 km-long trail as generous as a father's embrace.

The Jirisan Dulle-gil section ‘Jucheon-Unbong’ connects Oepyeong Village in Jangan-ri, Jucheon-myeon, Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, and Seocheon-ri, Unbong-eup. Along the 14.7 km trail, you can view the northwest ridge of Jirisan. It consists of old roads and embankment paths linking the wide fields of the 500m-high Unbong Plateau and six villages. The estimated time required is about 6 hours, and the difficulty level is ‘medium’.

Oepyeong Village houses the Jirisan Dulle-gil Jucheon Center, the start and end point of the ‘Sandong-Jucheon’ and ‘Jucheon-Unbong’ sections. Since ancient times, there was a road crossing Sukseongchi to Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun. It has been known as a transportation hub since the Unified Silla period.

Passing Naesong Village and entering the forest path, you will find a forest of Manchurian Ash trees. This place is called ‘Gaemijeongji’. Jeongji means a resting place, and it is said that Jucheon people used to rest here before going to Unbong Market. The name comes from the story that ants bit the feet of General Jo Gyeongnam, a militia leader who fell asleep while preparing for a Japanese pirate invasion, alerting him to the danger.

Guryongchi is an old mountain pass between Jucheon-myeon and Unbong-eup. It was a gateway that had to be passed to go to Namwon Market from various villages in Jucheon-myeon. Crossing Guryongchi and heading toward Hoedeok Village, you will find a pine forest path.

Following the valley where wildflowers form colonies and walking along the pine forest path, you will reach ‘Samurak Damurak’. On the way, people would stack stones while praying to ‘return safely’, and on the way back, to ‘have returned well’. Samurak means ‘hope’, and Damurak means ‘wall’.

Passing Noch Village and crossing Jilmaejae Pass, you can see Deoksan Reservoir. It is also good to take a break and cool off at Simsujeong, located in the pine forest beside the reservoir. After passing the reservoir and descending the forest path, you will reach Gajang Village. From Gajang Village to Unbong, about 5 km along the embankment of Gongan Stream, you can see Baraebong Peak.

Walking along the Gongan Stream embankment, you will see Haengjeong Village across the river. It is the winner of the ‘1st Beautiful Forest’ award. The village forest consists of over 80 large Manchurian Ash trees that are more than 100 years old.

Seorim Park, located in Unbong-eup, is the start and end point of the ‘Jucheon-Unbong’ and ‘Unbong-Inwol’ sections. Parking and restrooms are available.

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