Gajisan hike info

Gajisan is the 1,240.9 m peak where Ulsan, Cheongdo and Miryang meet, and the highest of the Yeongnam Alps. From the top you can pick out neighbours such as Sinbulsan, Jaeyaksan and Unmunsan, and in autumn silver grass flattens along every ridge. The big granite ridge near Ssalbawi has earned the nickname "the Ulsanbawi of Gajisan".

On the eastern foot sits Seoknamsa, a temple said to have been founded by the monk Doui. The stupa in its grounds is a designated national treasure. Down the southern Miryang valley is Eoreumgol, the Ice Valley, where cold air seeps out of the rocks in midsummer. In winter, rime frost coats the summit and Ssalbawi and draws snow-flower hikers.

The routes split cleanly into short and long. From the Seoknam Tunnel rest area it is about an hour and a half of steep steps and ridge. From Seoknamsa through the stream valley and past Ssalbawi it is three to four hours round trip. The summit has no shade and plenty of wind, so dress for 7-8 C colder than the base.

From Seoul (KTX)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)