Duryunsan hike info

Duryunsan stands at the far southern end of the Korean mainland, in Haenam. Its highest point, Garyeonbong, is 703 m, so on paper it is a modest hill. But it rises alone near the sea, and on the ridge it feels far bigger. Eight peaks, including Garyeonbong, Noseungbong and Duryunbong, line up in a horseshoe, with the temple Daeheungsa sitting in the middle.

From the top you look south over the island-dotted sea. On a clear day the view runs past Wando and Gogeumdo. Manilje, the pass between Duryunbong and Garyeonbong, is a silver-grass saddle in autumn. Camellias redden the lower slopes in spring, and maples drop colour down to the temple courtyard in autumn.

Most people start at the Daeheungsa car park, walk the ridge in a loop and come down into the temple grounds. The cable car lifts you to the Gogyebong viewing platform in minutes, which makes a half-day to Garyeonbong possible. Either way, leave time for the Thousand Buddhas Hall at Daeheungsa afterwards.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Gwangju, Busan and elsewhere (BUS)

From Haenam town (BUS)