Valleys and Forest Lodges Beyond Winding Mountain Roads | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Mulhan Valley is located where Samdobong, spanning Chungcheongbuk-do Yeongdong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Gimcheon, and Jeollabuk-do Muju, and high mountains like Seokgibong, Minjujisan, and Gakho-san (1,100~1,200m above sea level) surround a deep valley like a folding screen. The water is so cold that it was named Hancheon, and the stream flows for a full 20 km starting from upstream of the village. It preserves the primordial mystery, and the section from Hwangryongsa to Yongso is the most beautiful. In summer, Mulhan Valley attracts many vacationers and becomes very crowded. Minjujisan, Samdobong, and Gakho-san are places favored year-round by hiking enthusiasts, with various shrubs, azaleas, and rhododendrons along the ridges connecting the peaks, offering spectacular views in any season. Heading toward Samdobong from the Mulhan-ri terminus, there are Oksopokpo, Uiyonggolpokpo, and Eumjuampokpo waterfalls, and many pools and forests blend with Janggunbawi Rock, making it cooler and more beautiful.

Domaryeong is a mountain pass that connects Hwanggan in Yeongdong-gun to Muju in Jeonbuk. It is a high pass at 800m above sea level on the foothills of Yeongdong's highest peak, Munjujisan (1,241m). It was named Domaryeong because a general riding a horse with a sword crossed here, and it is also known by its old name, Dapmaryeong. At Domaryeong, there is a pavilion called Sangyongjeong on the ridge. In 2002 and 2003, Yeongdong-gun suffered damage from typhoons, and during restoration work, Sangyongjeong was constructed. Built in traditional Korean wooden architecture, it adds to the grandeur. The timber used is Korean pine, and the granite foundation stones are shaped like the daegeum, a traditional Korean wind instrument, signifying Yeongdong as a renowned place of Korean traditional music. The elegant octagonal pavilion offers an indescribably refreshing view, while the winding Domaryeong road dances sinuously as it stretches from Sangchon to Yonghwa-ro, creating a harmonious landscape. The winding road has recently gained fame as a driving course. It was a filming location for the movie , evoking scenes full of rural scenery and warm hospitality. The formerly unpaved road was paved into a two-lane road, and the winding road is surrounded by the picturesque landscape of Munjujisan, delighting the eyes and soothing the heart. Many people also enjoy riding on the forest trails of Munjujisan.

Minjujisan Natural Recreation Forest is located in Jodong-ri, Yonghwa-myeon, Yeongdong-gun, the southernmost part of Chungcheongbuk-do. Surrounded by famous mountains such as Gakho Mountain (1,176m) and Minjujisan Mountain (1,241.7m) along the Sobaek mountain range, it is a recreation forest preserving the primeval mystery of nature, where you can enjoy the beauty of the forest in all four seasons. Situated at an elevation of 700m, Minjujisan Recreation Forest offers the most suitable atmospheric pressure for the human body, beneficial for biological rhythms. Well-maintained accommodations, hiking trails that change their charm with the seasons, a forest bathing area rich in phytoncides, a barefoot walking path for health acupressure, and a Sabangdam fountain equipped with night lighting are all enough to refresh tired bodies and minds. The mountain fruit perfume trail created along the forest management road evokes nostalgic feelings, and the diverse vegetation within the dense forest, with explanations about the trees, provides excellent natural learning opportunities for families and students. Additionally, it is a happy place to encounter famous local specialties from Yeongdong, made with clear mountain water, such as dried persimmons, grapes, apples, pears, walnuts, gorosoe sap, shiitake mushrooms, and wild herbs. Accommodations can be booked through the website, while the campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis only upon on-site visit.