Beginner Course — Seongsamjae Pass → Nogodan Peak Round Trip
Korea's easiest high-altitude exploration starting at 1,100m above sea level
Round trip distance
~9.4 km
Duration
3 ~ 4 h
Nogodan Peak Summit
1,507 m
Elevation Gain
407 m↑
Difficulty
Elevation Profile
Seongsamjae (1,100m) → Munenggi (1,250m) → Nogodan Shelter (1,440m) → Nogodan Peak (1,507m) → Return to starting point
Course Flow
Seongsamjae Parking Lot 1,100m─ 2km/25min ─▶Munenggi Observatory 1,250m─ 0.7km/35min ─▶Nogodan Shelter 1,440m─ 0.6km/15min ─▶★Nogodangogae Pass/Peak 1,507m─ Round trip descent ─▶ Return to Seongsamjae
For exploring Nogodan Peak Summit,Advance reservation with Korea National Park Service requiredPlease make a reservation at reservation.knps.or.kr and enter with the QR code.
Detailed Route by Section
Departure
Seongsamjae Parking Lot — Departure point
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- Navigation:"Seongsamjae Rest Area"or the area around Nogodan-ro, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
- Parking: Seongsamjae Parking Lot (For mid-sized cars, first hour 1,100 won, then 300 won per 10 minutes)
- Public Transportation: Guryegu Station/Gurye Public Bus Terminal → Bus to Seongsamjae (limited operation)
- Rest area, restrooms available — preparations can be made before starting the hike
During weekends and peak season, vehicle access to Seongsamjae may be restricted → Must park at lower lots and use shuttle bus.
1
Seongsamjae → Munengi Observatory
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- From Seongsamjae, enter in the northeast direction along the paved trail
- Wide, flat dirt/sand path — gentle slope, stroller-friendly
- Munenggi (log trail junction): Seongsamjae Observatory, panoramic view of Seomjingang River
Munenggi = Point where water overflows. Pass through azalea and daylily colonies
2
Munengi → Nogodan Shelter
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- Wooden deck stairs section after Munenggi (steepest section)
- Fir, azalea, and eulalia grass colonies spread around
- Nogodan Shelter (1,440m): Beverages/snacks for sale, restrooms, trail information board
- After QR code verification at the shelter, enter Nogodan Pass/Summit
Temperature can drop sharply from this section — a windbreaker is essential
3
★ Nogodan Shelter → Nogodan Pass · Peak (1,507m)
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- Nogodan Pass (1,438m) → Summit Marker (1,507m) — gentle, buffered terrain
- The easiest peak to climb among Jirisan National Park's three main peaks
- View: Entire Banyabong and Cheonwangbong ridges, Seomjingang River, Hwaeomsa Valley
- Four seasons: famous for spring azaleas, summer wildflowers, autumn eulalia, and winter snowscapes
If there is no summit visit reservation, return from the shelter — advance reservation is mandatory
4
Nogodan Peak → Descend to Seongsamjae
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- Descend via the same route you ascended — from the Munenggi forkForest road (gentle path)Optional
- The forest road route is about 300m longer but offers a comfortable descent without steep inclines
- Upon arrival at Seongsamjae, meals and snacks are available at the rest stop.
After descending, Gurye downtown: Jirisan National Park local foods such as Daseulgitang (freshwater snail soup), Sanchae Bibimbap (wild vegetable bibimbap), Jaecheopguk (freshwater clam soup)
Preparation & Safety Information
Essential Gear
- Light hiking shoes or trekking shoes
- Windproof jacket (sudden drop in summit temperature)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Hat, sunglasses
Food & Water
- Bring 1-1.5L of water
- Beverages available for purchase at Nogodan Shelter
- Bring light snacks
- Meals available at Seongsamjae Rest Stop
Advance reservation
- Nogodan Peak exploration requires a reservation
- reservation.knps.or.kr
- Enter with QR code after reservation
- Entry hours: Summer season 03:00~
Best Season
- Spring (May-June): Azalea blossoms
- Summer (July-August): Wildflowers
- Autumn (October): Autumn foliage, eulalia
- Winter: Snow scenery (crampons essential)
Transportation
- Navigation: "Seongsamjae Rest Area"
- Taxi from Guryegu Station ~30 min
- Shuttle bus operates during peak season
Emergency Contact
- 119 Mountain Rescue
- National Park Safety App
- Tranggle GPS Record Recommendation
Intermediate Course — Baengmudong → Cheonwangbong Round Trip (Day Hike)
Highest peak in mainland South Korea, 1,915m — Challenging course for same-day ascent
Round trip distance
~15 km
Duration
9 ~ 11 h
Cheonwangbong Peak Summit
1,915 m
Elevation Gain
1,350 m↑
Difficulty
Elevation Profile
Baengmudong (700m) → Jangteomok Shelter (1,655m) → Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m) → Seseok Shelter (1,580m) → Baengmudong
Course Flow
Baengmudong 700m─ 5.8km/approx. 3h ─▶Jangteomok Shelter 1,655m─ 1.7km/approx. 1h ─▶★Cheonwangbong Peak 1,915m─ Reverse descent via Seseok ─▶Seseok Shelter 1,580m─ 5.5km/approx. 2h30 ─▶ Return to Baengmudong
Detailed Route by Section
Departure
Baengmudong Exploration Support Center — Departure
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- Navigation:"Baengmudong Visitor Center"(Baengmudong, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam)
- Use public parking lot (paid) — Early morning departure required (04:00~06:00)
- Recommended to report your entry at the Visitor Support Center
- Entry hours: Summer season 03:00~ / Winter season 04:00~
If aiming for a same-day ascent of Cheonwangbong Peak, departure between 04:00 and 05:00 is essential
1
Baengmudong → Jangteomok Shelter (1,655m)
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- Baengmudong~Chamsaem (2km): Gentle uphill along the valley, alder forest
- Chamsaem Spring ~ Habong Peak (3.5km): Steep stairs and rocky path begin after joining the ridge
- After passing Habong Peak, main ridge — view of Nakjodae, one of Jirisan National Park's 10 scenic views
- Jangteomok Shelter (1,655m): Drinking water and food sales, restrooms available
After a sufficient 20-30 minute rest at Jangteomok Shelter, challenge the summit
2
Jangteomok Shelter → ★ Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m)
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- Jangteomok → Cheonwangbong section: One of the most challenging hiking courses in Korea
- Continuous steep stone and wooden stairs, 260m elevation gain over 1.7km
- Gaeseonmun GatePass through (Natural Stone Gate) — a symbolic point of Jirisan National Park
- Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m): Summit marker, Beomwangdae, famous for sunrise and sea of clouds
- View: All Jirisan National Park ridges below the clouds, Namhae, Daecheongho Lake
Most Difficult Section — Knee protectors and trekking poles are essential; start after replenishing energy.
3
Cheonwangbong → Sesok Shelter → Descend to Baengmudong
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- Cheonwangbong Peak → Seseok Plateau direction (west): 2 hours 10 minutes, gentle descent
- Seseok Shelter (1,580m): Jirisan National Park's largest plain, views, water refill
- Seseok → Baengmudong descent: 2 hours 30 minutes, descend along the valley
- Hansin Valley: Hansinpokpo Waterfall, Ocheungpokpo Waterfall, and other autumn foliage scenic views
If you wish to return to the starting point, go back to Jangteomok from Cheonwangbong Peak and descend to Baengmudong (same route)
Preparation & Safety Information
Essential Gear
- Hiking boots (waterproof, for high altitudes)
- Trekking poles (essential for Jangteomok~Cheonwangbong)
- Knee protectors
- Headlamp (essential for early morning departure)
Stamina management
- Get enough sleep before departure
- Bring plenty of trail food
- More than 2L of water
- 30-minute rest after arriving at Jangteomok
Safety Precautions
- Jangteomok → Cheonwangbong: Highest Difficulty
- Caution for knee impact during descent
- Descend immediately in bad weather
- Assess departure based on having 70% or more physical stamina
Sunrise hike
- Cheonwangbong Peak Sunrise: National attraction
- Depart Baengmudong at 04:00 AM
- Arrive at the summit approximately 1 hour before sunrise
- Winter clothing essential (summit temperature 10°C↓)
Advanced Course — Seongjungjongju Traverse (Seongsamjae→Jungsan-ri, 2 days 1 night)
South Korea's Best Traverse Course — Complete the 32.5km Jirisan Main Ridge
One-way Total Distance
~32.5 km
Required Schedule
1 night 2 days
Highest Elevation
1,915 m
Elevation Gain
3,000 m+
Difficulty
Elevation Profile
Seongsamjae (1,100m) → Nogodan (1,507m) → Banyabong Peak (1,731m) → Yeonhacheon (1,470m) → Byeoksoryeong (1,320m) → Seseok (1,580m) → Jangteomok (1,655m) → Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m) → Jungsan-ri (600m)
1 night 2 days itinerary
Day 1 DawnSeongsamjae → Nogodan → Banyabong Peak → Yeonhacheon → Byeoksoryeong (Byeoksoryeong 1 night)‖ Day 2 DawnByeoksoryeong→Seseok→Jangteomok→★Cheonwangbong Peak→ Descent to Jungsan-ri
Shelter advance reservation required: reservation.knps.or.kr — Reservations for the following month open on the 1st of each month at 10:00. Weekend reservations close within seconds. Personal sleeping bag required (blankets not provided).
Detailed Route by Section (2 days 1 night)
1 day
Day 1: Seongsamjae → Nogodan → Banyabong → Byeoksoryeong Shelter
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- Seongsamjae (1,100m) → Nogodan (1,507m): 4.7km / 1.5h — Gentle, forest road type
- Nogodan Peak → Imgeollyeong Spring: 3km / 1h — Jirisan's best-tasting spring
- Imgullyeong → Samdobong → Banyabong (1,731m): 3.5km / 2h — Steep ascent, Jirisan's 2nd highest peak
- Banyabong Peak → Hwagaejae (Baemsagolsamgeori): 2km / 45min — Steep descent
- Hwagaejae → Yeonhacheon Shelter (1,470m): 2.5km / 1h — Main ridge flat section
- Yeonhacheon → Byeoksoryeong Shelter (1,320m): 3km / 1h30 — Passing Yeonhaseongyeong
Definitely refill your water at Imgullyeong Spring — there are no more springs until Yeonhacheon
Recommended to arrive at Byeoksoryeong Shelter before 17:00. If exhausted, you can change to Yeonhacheon Shelter.
Accommodation
Byeoksoryeong Shelter (1,320m) — 1 night
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- Cooking: Personal pot, burner, and gas are essential.
- Sleeping bag: Must bring your own (blankets not provided)
- Earplugs recommended (for snoring and other noise)
- Tomorrow's schedule: Byeoksoryeong → Seseok → Jangteomok → Cheonwangbong Peak → Jungsan-ri (approx. 14km)
For a Day 2 Cheonwangbong sunrise, depart 03:00~04:00 AM; a sleeping bag rated for -5~0°C is needed.
2 Days
Day 2: Byeoksoryeong → Sesok → Jangteomok → Cheonwangbong → Jungsan-ri
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- Byeoksoryeong → Seonbisaem Spring (1,550m): 4km / 2h — Ridge traverse, water refill point
- Seonbisaem Spring → Seseok Shelter (1,580m): 2km / 45min — Jirisan's largest plain, azalea colony
- Seseok → Jangteomok Shelter (1,655m): 3.4km / 1.5h — Gentle ridge section
- Jangteomok → Cheonwangbong (1,915m): 1.7km / 1h — Highest difficulty section (passing Gaejeonmun)
- Cheonwangbong Peak → Beobgyesa Temple → Kalbawi Rock → Jungsan-ri (600m): 7.8km / 3.5h — Long and steep descent
The 7.8km descent from Jungseonri accumulates maximum knee impact — knee pads are essential
Transportation upon arrival at Jungseonri: Use Sancheong intercity bus or taxi, vehicle retrieval to Seongsamjae required (shuttle service recommended)
Key preparations for traverse
Essential Gear
- Backpack 30L or more
- Sleeping bag (for -5~0°C)
- Pot, burner, gas, and cutlery
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Knee protectors, gaiters
- Crampons (winter)
Shelter Reservation
- reservation.knps.or.kr
- Opens on the 1st of every month at 10:00
- Closes within seconds on weekends
- 13,000 won per person
- Bring slippers (for indoor use only)
Water Strategy
- Bring 1L at departure
- Focus on refilling water between Imgullyeong and Sesok
- Resupply at Yeonhacheon, Seseok, Jangteomok
- Beware of spring freezing during icy periods
Food Plan
- Day 1: Hetban (cooked rice), instant ramen, Spam
- Day 2: Trail food + simple breakfast
- Trail food: energy bars, yeonyanggaeng (red bean jelly), jelly
- Collect all personal trash
Vehicle retrieval
- Seongsamjae → Jungsan-ri One-Way Traverse
- Shuttle service recommended
- From Jungseonri, take the Sancheong bus to Seongsamjae
- Pre-plan companion vehicle retrieval
Seasonal Precautions
- Spring·Autumn: Best season for thru-hiking
- Summer: Beware of sunstroke and lightning
- Winter: Crampons and winter clothing essential, not recommended
- Winter season entry time 04:00~