Gayasan hike info

A mountain spread across Hapcheon, Geochang and Seongju. Its two highest points, Chilbulbong (1,433 m) and Sangwangbong (1,430 m), face each other just 3 m apart. Sangwangbong looks like a cow's head and is also called Udubong. Pale rock stands like blades near the top, and iron stairs zigzag through the gaps.

Haeinsa sits in the western valley and keeps the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks in its Janggyeong Panjeon halls, which gives the whole mountain the feel of an old sacred ground. A walk down the Hongnyudong valley from the temple, the Sori-gil trail, mirrors red leaves in the stream in autumn. The Baegundong side in Seongju feels different, with a ridge of odd-shaped rocks called Manmulsang and a rougher climb.

Wildflowers open first near the trailheads in spring, and autumn colour slides from the summit down into the valleys from mid-October. Pack as if the top is 8-10 C colder than the car park. Entry cut-off hours apply on the main routes, so start in the morning.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)