Yonghwasan hike info

Yonghwasan rises 877.8 m where Hwacheon and Chuncheon meet. It looks modest on paper, but the ridge is full of named rocks: Yongma cave, Jangsu cave, Baegundae. The name comes from a tale of a centipede and a snake fighting, with the winner becoming a dragon and flying up.

The easiest line starts at Keungogae pass. You drive to the saddle and walk straight toward the top from the car park, which trip reports rank among the quickest of the 100 famous mountains. With more time, take the long route from the national recreation forest over Sayeoryeong, or start at the Goseong-ri entrance and finish toward Malgol. In winter the valley freezes into an ice-climbing ground.

Autumn is best: by late October the winding road over Keungogae turns red. Fire-prevention closures hit some years, so a phone call to the Hwacheon county office before you set out is wise.

From Seoul (BUS)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (BUS)

To the trailhead (LOC)