[One Day Walk] Village Roads Formed in the Neolithic Era... Walking Along the Zelkova Tree Grove

8.5km from Daechuk Village to Wonbuchun Village

Editor's NoteJirisan is the first national park designated in South Korea, a mountain with an elevation of 1915m. 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 length of 300km and is as generous as a father's embrace.

The Jirisan Dulle-gil 'Daechuk-Wonbuchun' section is a course that goes from Daechuk Village in Cheokji-ri, Agyang-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam to Wonbuchun Village in Buchun-ri, Hwagae-myeon. It is 8.5km long, takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes, and has a difficulty level of 'upper intermediate.'

This course is divided into two routes: one passing through Pyeongsari Field and Daechon Village, and the other passing through Ipseok Village along the riverbank path. However, for the Ipseok Village route, a detour must be used as the Agyangcheon disaster recovery project is scheduled to continue until the end of the year. It is recommended to contact the Jirisan Dulle-gil Hadong Center for guidance before starting.

Ipseok Village, reached via the detour from Daechuk Village, is one of the oldest villages in Hadong-gun. It is said that the village was formed during the Neolithic Age. This area, embracing the Agyang Mudeul Field, is named Ipseok Village because of the standing stones (Ipseok) marking the village boundaries in the rice paddies. Rituals praying for the village’s well-being were also held at these standing stones. At the entrance of the village stands a large Pujonamu tree. Every year in the first lunar month, the village holds a Dangsan-je (village guardian deity ritual). There is also an art gallery made by repurposing an empty agricultural warehouse. Over 100 items such as old farming tools like plows, carrying frames, millstones, and daily necessities are on permanent display. Various types of special exhibitions are also held. The gallery has become a cultural space where villagers communicate and travelers can rest briefly.

From Ipseok Village heading towards Araetjae, you will find a path lined with persimmon orchards. Passing through here leads to the Seopbawigol rest area guarded by a large Korean ash tree. Along the Hadong section of the Jirisan Dulle-gil, you frequently encounter groves of Korean ash trees. The forest, once lush with oak, king cherry, and Japanese snowbell trees, is now transforming into a Korean ash forest.

From the Ipseok fork in the road, a long and steep hill path begins, passing Araetjae and leading to Witjae. On the way from Araetjae to Witjae, there is a grove of maple trees. There is also a large flat rock where you can rest while enjoying the scenic view. Witjae is the point where the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail and the hiking trail to Hyeongjebong diverge. In the past, villagers from Ipseok used Witjae when traveling to Wonbuchun to obtain seed potatoes or mulberry leaves.

Near the endpoint of this course, Wonbuchun Village, lies the cool Buchun Valley. It is a good place to dip your feet and rest, where fish called dolgogi swim. Alongside the valley is a small forest path called ‘Honggol.’ ‘Hong’ is a variation of ‘Home,’ meaning a concave and elongated depression. Honggol also shows traces of past human habitation. Walking through Honggol to the end leads to Wonbuchun Village.

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