Samaksan hike info

Samaksan is a 655 m rock peak on the west side of Chuncheon, right beside Uiam Lake. It is low but not easy. Three summits, Yonghwabong, Cheongunbong and Deungseonbong, are linked by a rocky ridge, and whichever way you climb there is a steep stone-step or rope section waiting. The 'ak' in the name means a rock mountain, and about an hour in your legs agree.

The valley on the Deungseon Falls side is a narrow rock gorge that stays cool even in midsummer. The most common route climbs from there past the old Heungguksa site onto the ridge. From the lake side, Uiam Lake lies under you the whole way, which gives you a reason to stop and look back whenever you run out of breath. Local tradition says the king Gungye built a fortress on this mountain, and traces of wall remain along the ridge.

It gets crowded in the autumn foliage season and in midsummer, when people come for the gorge. The Gyeongchun line from Seoul reaches Gangchon station in a little over an hour, so many do it as a day trip. Rock sections get slick after rain, so check your soles first.

From Seoul (TRN)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)