Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kurtz]

Here's a tricky one for you.

Anyone hiked the Sangwonsa-Birobong-Dongdaesan circuit?

I like to stay as close to the trailhead as possible as I'm an early riser and like to beat the heat and the crowds, but it seems the trailhead is over 8 km from the nearest minbak village.

Is there any accommodation right near Sangwonsa? if not it means a fairly late start, or an 8km road bash to start what looks like a challenging walk.

[Robot_Teacher]

I hiked Birobong recently with some people. We went in a Koreans car to get to the trail head which is well past Woljongsa Buddhist temple. I never would had made it out there of a morning without riding in a car. Maybe they got buses?

Only accommodation I seen was this Western style looking hotel. I think this is near Jinbu as that was the nearest town where I got dropped off at the bus station to take a bus home.

[Kurtz]

thanks, I thought that might be the case

[Kurtz]

Trip report for those who like to get off their fat butts from time to time.

Knocked off both Chiaksan and Odaesan. Both the highest peaks in the parks share the same name, Birobong.

Chiaksan. Route taken Guryongsa-Birobong-Hwanggol.
Took a taxi from Wonju bus terminal as I was feeling cranky and couldn't be bothered with the bus (which is taken from behind the bus terminal, under the underpass.
Park itself is very nice. Easy walk to an uninspiring waterfall, then things go vertical from there on. Quite an unrelenting and at times moderately technical climb. By no means difficult, but quite steep and things are getting warm now. From temple to peak 2 hours.
View from peak...not bad, nothing special. Suggest winter or autumn for this walk.
Maybe another two hours back to civilization, taking the route down to Hwanggol. Bus back to Wonju can be found in the town, on the other side of the road, across from a nice Italian restaurant selling expensive but good coffees and very expensive food, one for the Seoul latte set.

Odaesan. Stayed in Jinbu. First bus leaves Jinbu at 8.30 direct to the trailhead at Sangwonsa. Took an earlier bus which only goes to Woljeonsa which is quite a large and interesting temple. Funny the people you meet while waiting for buses...a Lonely Planet travel writer updating some sections for the new LP Korea.
The park. Lovely place, has a nice feel to it, nice valleys and temples.
The hike. It's about 3km to the peak from Sangwonsa. First 2 km are quite easy. Last 1km is a steep and unrelenting climb. View from top was average I thought. Again, this one is best kept for autumn. Route taken down was via Sangwangbong, then a 5 km road bash. All up about a 4-5 hour walk.
Direct bus back to Jinbu comes about every hour, the monk working the food and book store can tell you when (about every hour).

Been to just about every park in this nation now.