Myeongjisan hike info

Myeongjisan is the second-highest peak in Gyeonggi, after Hwaaksan. It sits at the far north of Gapyeong among thousand-metre neighbours such as Yeoninsan, Gukmangbong and Seongryongsan, so the view from the top is all ridgelines. The summit is a small rock crown with little room to sit, and photos at the marker happen in turns.

The usual start, Ikgeun-ri, follows the clear Myeongji stream. A paved lane leads past Seungcheonsa temple, then a boardwalk runs up the valley to Myeongji Falls, a drop of about 7-8 m. Up to the falls it is an easy walk even with children; above it the trail turns steep and rocky, and the last kilometre before the top is the hardest. The stream is cool in summer and the maples near the temple colour well in autumn. A suspension bridge called Haneul Gureum Bridge has also opened.

From the top the ridge runs on to Myeongji 2nd and 3rd peaks. The traverse from Baekdun-ri or the Gwimok pass, over the summit and down to Ikgeun-ri, takes around six hours. It works as a day trip from Seoul, but the descent is steep, so plan to be down while there is still light.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)