Chukryeongsan hike info

Chukryeongsan is an 887 m mountain on the Namyangju-Gapyeong border, about an hour from Seoul. At the recreation-forest trailhead the Korean pines grow so tall and close that you barely see sky. Up on the ridge the mood changes: odd rocks like Suri-bawi and Namyi-bawi, and a story that General Namyi trained here. The name itself comes from a legend that Yi Seong-gye held a rite to the mountain spirit on the peak.

A stone cairn stands on top, and on a clear day you see the Cheonmasan, Cheolmasan and Unaksan ridges. Drop to Jeolgogae pass and Seorisan faces you across it. Its azalea hill blooms with wild azaleas all at once in mid-May. Many people link the two peaks.

Public transport is thin, so most come by car. The upside is that every route loops back to the forest car park.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)

• From Seoul: Car ~1h; bus/taxi from Maseok
• Best time: May azaleas, Oct colour
• Fees and parking: Entry 1,000 won; parking from 1,500
• Signal and huts: No huts
• Emergency: 119; office 031-592-0681