Yeonhwasan hike info

Yeonhwasan is a modest 524 m hill north of Goseong, named for the way its summits ring the valley like lotus petals. Right in the middle sits Okcheonsa, a temple more than a thousand years old. The hill is not high, but pine woods, bamboo and streams keep the walk interesting.

The pleasure here is walking past a temple rather than conquering a peak. You cross the temple yard, pass a few hermitages, and climb to the ridge, where on clear days a thin strip of sea shows to the south. In autumn the maples around the temple and the green bamboo share one frame, which is why photographers come.

The routes are short. From Okcheonsa to the top is a little over an hour, and a loop along the ridge takes about three hours. Spring and autumn fire-prevention periods close some trails, so check the dates before you go.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)