Here comes the month when forests are lushly covered with green trees and shiny sunlight. In the month of June, when the sky is colored with a vivid sky-blue and the sunshine is gently heating the ground, we somehow want to blindly leave all the things behind and go somewhere different to enjoy nature. On this kind of day, how about escaping from Seoul and experiencing nature even for a one-day trip? In Daegwallyeong Forest, located in Gangwondo, Kingos can fully enjoy the nature of June and have time to be reenergized and refreshed. The Sungkyun Times (SKT) visited Daegwallyeong and fully enjoyed the green scenery of the forests.
Brief Information About Daegwallyeong
The Location of Daegwallyeong
Daegwallyeong has been a traffic route that connects the west side and the east side of the rugged Taebaek Mountains. Daegwallyeong is quite a high hill with a height of 832m and is located between Seongsan-myeon in Gangneung and Pyeongchang-gun Daegwallyeong-myeon Hoenggyeri. Currently, the Yeongdong highway passes through Daegwallyeong.
How to Get to Daegwallyeong
As Daegwallyeong is rough hills that are in the middle of the Taebaek Mountains, there is no public transportation such as buses or subways between the main tourist spots along Daegwallyeong. Without a car, it is hard to move from Old Daegwallyeong Road to Daegwallyeong Forest or Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch. Therefore, it is much more convenient to drive a car from the beginning or rent a car from Ganeoung Terminal. Ganneoung Terminal or Ganneoung Station can be easily reached by express bus or KTX train.
A Walk Through Daegwallyeong Forest (Recommended Treks)
Old Daegwallyeong Path - Daegwallyeong Forest - Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch
1. Old Daegwallyeong Path
Old Daegwallyeong Road starts from Banjeong in the Taebaek Mountains and stretches to Daegwallyeong National Forest. It is easy to find the starting point of the Old Degwallyeong Path when you arrive at the Daegwallyeong Museum bus stop and walk a little toward the woods. It is relaxing and joyful to walk along Old Daegwallyeong Path, full of phytoncide from conifer trees and cool streams. As you walk along Old Daegwallyeong Path for about 40 minutes, you will arrive at Daegwallyeong National Forest. Old Daegwallyeong Path is a perfect spot to appreciate the scenery of the Daegwallyeong hills. Also, as its original form is well conserved, it was designated as scenic spot number 74 in 2010.
2. Daegwallyeong National ForesForest (About 5km to the Peak, 2-hour-track)
Daegwallyeong National Forest was designated as a national forest in 1989. It is located in the breast of east Daegwallyeong. As the Daegwallyeong Forest is full of pine trees and pure valleys, many tourists visit Daegwallyeong Forest every year.
Geumgang Pine Path
Walking along the path surrounded by millions of pine trees relaxes you. The fresh air and the summer breeze itself can give you energy and joy. As you walk along the pine path, you can feel the pure and clean air and energy, and it feels like your head is clearer than usual.
Presidential Rest Area (Theft Hill)
As you walk more toward the peak of the Daegwallyeong National Forest, you will come across the presidential rest area. The presidential rest area was also known as Theft Hill because bandits frequently appeared in the past as it was very rough terrain. Currently, this area serves as a presidential rest area as a memorial for former President Roh Moo-hyun, who was famously laid to rest in this area. When you take a seat in the presidential rest area, you can witness the full scenery of the Daegwallyeong hills, and it makes you feel totally refreshed.
3. Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch
Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch is another tourist attraction in Daegwallyeong. Watching more than 200 sheep vigorously running around and eating grass on the open grassland makes you feel happy and excited. The scenery of the sheep ranch is always beautiful regardless of the season, and especially in June, one can fully enjoy the views of a green grassland endlessly stretched with a clear blue sky.
