Hwangaksan hike info

Hwangaksan wraps around Jikjisa, a well-known temple near Gimcheon. Birobong, the top, is 1,111 m, and the first thing you notice is not cliffs but a full, rounded earth ridge. Unsubong, Baegunbong, Hyeongjebong and Sinseonbong curl around the summit like a horseshoe, with two streams running down the inside.

The top is broad and open. On clear days people pick out Geumosan, Palgongsan, Gayasan and Minjusan, and parts of three provinces. A small stone cairn stands beside the summit marker. The Baekdudaegan ridge route passes through, so you meet long-distance hikers too.

Most people start at Jikjisa, walk through the temple grounds, climb the forest path and come down the Neungyeo valley to close a loop. For a long day you can start at Gwaebangnyeong and cross the ridge. Walking back through the temple yard at the end is half the pleasure.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)