Deoksungsan (Sudeoksan) hike info

Deoksungsan is only 495 m, a half-day hill. But a temple with a National Treasure main hall sits at its foot, and granite crags line up above it, which is why people used to call it the Diamond Mountains of Chungcheong. The trail starts on stone steps behind the temple, and with every step the roofs get smaller below you.

On the way up you pass Mangongtap and Jeonghyesa. Just under the top you slip through a doorway in the rock, and the Deoksan plain opens out. Many hermitages here house nuns in practice, so people tend to lower their voices without being told. Spring brings new leaf green, and autumn colours the temple yard.

Afterwards the Deoksan hot springs are close, and many hikers soak before heading home. Yesan market soup and local apples are the area's food.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Daejeon, Busan, Daegu (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)