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Chiaksan | Mountain Guide | K-Travel Mate

[A famous mountain rising like a wall at first glance] You know a famous mountain when you get close. When passing Wonju on the Yeongdong Expr...

Chiaksan⛰️ 1282 m

Introduction

[A famous mountain rising like a wall at first glance] You know a famous mountain when you get close. When passing Wonju on the Yeongdong Expressway, if you see a tall mountain dominating the others, it is undoubtedly Chiaksan. From Wonju, the old village of Deulgoeul, it appears as a massive wall. A grand main ridge stretches 17 kilometers, rising over a thousand meters. Behind this overwhelming mountain range, Maehwasan (1085m) and Maebongsan (1095m) extend their ridges densely, creating overlapping mountain waves. Between them are deep valleys such as Guryongsa Keungol, Bugok Basin, and Sangwongol. On one side, a linear mountain ridge at the edge of an open area faces the outside world, while the opposite side features layered mountains with profound depth. This balanced exposure and concealment form an ideal mountain landscape. The concealment in Guryongsa Keungol is the royal pine, Hwangjangmok. At the temple entrance stands the Hwangjang marker as evidence. Sangwongol contains a natural monument (No. 93), a forest known as the "Museum of Deciduous Broadleaf Trees." Bugok Basin once sheltered the Goryeo scholar Won Cheon-seok, who thwarted King Taejong of Joseon, who sought to establish the nation by force. This is the virtue of the famous mountain Chiak.

Hiking Guide

Check routes, transport, reservations, and safety notes in one place.

Quick Summary
🥾Difficulty
Hard
⏱️Duration
2h 30m ~ 3h 30m
🚇Public Transport
Normal
🌱Beginner
Caution
🍂Best Season
5, 6, 10, 11
🎫Reservation
Not Required
🅿️Parking
Yes

🎫 General Birobong hiking routes are known as sections that can usually be used without reservation, but national park sections may close due to weather alerts, fire prevention periods, safety inspections, maintenance, or restoration work. Check official closure information before departure.

🅿️ Both Guryongsa and Hwanggol areas have parking points, but parking and access may be crowded during peak seasons and weekends. It is best to check a map app and on-site notices before departure.

🚻 Toilet❄️ Winter Caution🌦 Weather Sensitive

Recommended Trails

Hwanggol–Birobong Trail

Recommended

A summit trail from Hwanggol Visitor Center to Birobong Peak via Ipseoksa. The confirmed course information is 4.1 km and about 2.5 hours one way.

Distance 4.1km2h 30mModerate
Details ↓

This route is one of the shorter approaches to Birobong Peak in Chiaksan. It is shorter than the Guryongsa-Sadaribyeongchang route, but the paved uphill section and steeper upper section still require good pacing.

Route Flow

Hwanggol Visitor Center → Ipseoksa / Ipseokdae → Hyangnobong Junction → Birobong Peak

Getting There

Use the Wonju or Hwanggol area as the main access direction. Check local bus schedules, taxi availability, and parking conditions before departure.

Safety Notes

The section after Ipseoksa can become steep. Check weather and official trail closure status, especially in winter, after rain, or during strong winds.

Key Points
Map 4/4
Course Map

Only verified points are shown on this map.

Google Maps
Getting There
Access from Wonju city center to Hwanggol Visitor Support Center
BUS_TAXI_CAR

Access Hwanggol Visitor Support Center from Wonju city center or the Hwanggol area. Bus intervals and taxi availability can vary by season and day of week, so check a map app or local transport information before departure.

↳ Wonju city center / Hwanggol area → Hwanggol Visitor Support Center → Birobong

• Bus intervals may change, so check before departure.

⚠ Because this is a summit hike, confirm return transport after descent in advance.

Safety Notes
Hwanggol still has demanding uphill sections
Caution

Hwanggol is known as a shorter route to Birobong Peak, but the upper section after Ipseoksa can still be steep. Prepare proper hiking shoes, windproof gear, and winter traction gear if needed.

Gear: Hiking shoes, windproof jacket, gloves, winter traction gear if needed

Guryongsa–Sadaribyeongchang–Birobong Trail

Recommended

A representative but demanding Chiaksan summit trail from Guryong Visitor Center to Birobong Peak via Guryongsa Temple, Seryeom Falls, and Sadaribyeongchang. The confirmed course information is 5.7 km and about 3.5 hours one way.

Distance 5.7km3h 30mHard
Details ↓

This trail starts from Guryong Visitor Center and passes Guryongsa Temple, Seryeom Falls, and the steep Sadaribyeongchang section before reaching Birobong Peak. It offers temple, valley, waterfall, and summit scenery, but it is physically demanding.

Route Flow

Guryong Visitor Center → Guryongsa Temple → Seryeom Falls → Sadaribyeongchang → Birobong Peak

Getting There

Use the Wonju or Guryongsa area as the main access direction. Check local bus schedules, taxi availability, and parking conditions before departure.

Safety Notes

Sadaribyeongchang is steep and stair-heavy. Avoid continuing during rain, snow, icy conditions, or strong winds, and check official trail closure status before departure.

Key Points
Map 5/5
Course Map

Only verified points are shown on this map.

Google Maps
Getting There
Access from Wonju city center to Guryong Visitor Support Center
BUS_TAXI_CAR

Access Guryong Visitor Support Center from Wonju city center or the Guryongsa area. Bus intervals and taxi availability can vary by season and day of week, so check a map app or local transport information before departure.

↳ Wonju city center / Guryongsa area → Guryong Visitor Support Center → Birobong

• During busy hiking periods, bus, taxi, and parking conditions toward Guryongsa may change.

⚠ The Sadaribyeongchang section can be tiring even on descent, so allow enough return time.

Safety Notes
Sadaribyeongchang is physically demanding
Warning

The Sadaribyeongchang section on the Guryongsa route is steep and stair-heavy. Beginners should not underestimate it, and hikers should reconsider during rain, snow, icy conditions, or strong winds.

Gear: Hiking shoes, gloves, windproof jacket, winter traction gear if needed

Safety Notes

Check entry times and trail closure status before departure
Warning

Chiaksan National Park may apply seasonal entry time rules and trail closures due to weather alerts, fire prevention periods, or safety conditions. Check official trail status and weather before departure.

Official Links

Official visitor information↗Trail status and closure information↗

Location info

Map

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