In this article, I explore two hidden gems in Korea’s central mountainous region, near Woraksan and Deokgyusan National Parks, which are rarely visited by foreign tourists but left me with lasting memories.

Both of these locations can easily be paired with local hikes to make for a fantastic weekend getaway! I offer some suggestions on what hikes are worth your time in each area!

The Muju Wine Cave / 무주 머루와인동굴

Address: 전북특별자치도 무주군 적상면 산성로 359

Naver Direction Link: Muju Meoru Wine Cave 928-2 Bukchang-ri Jeoksang-myeon Muju-gun Jeonbuk-do https://naver.me/FY3W1b7a

Entry Fee: Adults 2,000 won (Includes wine tasting)

Hours in April – October: 10:00~17:00 

Hours in November – March: 10:00~16:00

• Closed on Mondays and Local Holidays

In the summer of 2023, I hosted a friend’s weekend getaway to Deokgyusan National Park near the town of Muju. One local attraction that had caught my eye through advertisements across the region was the Muju Wine Cave. Without much context about what it actually was, I decided to add it to our itinerary.

It turned out to be too unusual not to share.

Upon arrival, we were accompanied by a tour guide who spoke some English. However, rather than providing detailed explanations, she seemed more enthusiastic about acting as our photographer, eagerly taking pictures of us throughout the cave walk.

The Muju Wine Cave is a 579-meter-long tunnel, with 290 meters designated as a tourist-friendly light and photo zone, leading to a wine tasting and purchasing area at the end. The cave’s path is approximately 4.5 meters high and 4.5 meters wide—enclosed enough to feel like you’re inside a tunnel but never uncomfortably tight.

After the photo session, the area then opens up to as tasting and selling area. I will note that this is not a full fledged wine tasting, which is reasonable considering the price of the ticket. They have a rotating selection of wines for sale which are locally produced and at reasonable prices. This selection included non-grape wines such as those made from fruits like apple as well as local berries.

At the time, I was having a great time, and I didn’t end up taking pictures of the tasting/buying area. So I have selected these photos from the a Korean bloggers post.

My group bought a couple bottles of the various wines and enjoyed them in our pension that evening. Everyone had a great time.

When I had put it on our group trip, I had assumed it was more of a traditional cave experience with wine at the end. Instead, it’s a mined out shaft which has been constructed to sell wine. I didn’t even mention the crazy screaming brown statues at the start! Bizarre!

My advice: Bring people here and give them no description ahead of time.

Great Outdoor Adventures to Pair with the Muju Wine Cave

The town of Muju is famous for their annual Firefly festival in September – I never went myself, but for more information you can go to their official festival website – and for being the town at the base of Deokgyusan National Park.

Deogyusan is a unique national park, as its southern edge is home to Muju Ski Resort, which operates a year-round cable car and gondola to the top of the ski hill. From there, it’s less than a one-kilometer ascent to the peak, making it one of the most accessible major mountains in Korea. The short climb consists of a combination of braided rope mats and wooden decking that is very well maintained.

I have gone to the peak by cable car twice, and hiked it an additional three times. Of those five times, I’ve only seen the view from the peak once. This area is very cloudy and foggy year round, making for a ghostly cable ride to the peak. With that said, this mountain is consistently considered one of the most beautiful ones to hike in the winter. With snow and ice sticking prominently to the upper most trees, making for a cave like enclosed feeling. A true winter wonderland.

The Kkabeu Cave Cafe / 까브

Address: 산74-1 생달리 동로면

Naver Direction Link: Kkabeu 492-1 Saengdal-ri Dongno-myeon Mungyeong-si Gyeongsangbuk-do https://naver.me/FzSyC977

Hours: Weekdays: 10:30 ~ 17:00 & Weekend: 10:30 ~19:00 

There are no shortage of unique and fantastical cafes to explore in South Korea. But standing out in the crowd is the Kkabaeu Cave Cafe. This highly rated establishment won’t be found advertised anywhere, making it truly a countryside hidden gem. I would note that although this establishment is a self-proclaimed cafe, I would describe it as a restaurant that serves coffee.

Local Specialities: This cafe is located in the heart of Mungyeong, which is famous for the cultivation of a red berry called Omija [오미자] which is famously turned into tea, juice and wine. I would relate the taste to that of a cranberry due to its tartness. This is a must try, and once you do you will likely turn into an addict, I know I did. In addition, you can buy bottles of the Omija wine here as well. These bottles are priced at 30,000 won, so on the higher end of prices in Korea, but you are buying local.

The restaurant serves vaguely western style dishes including steak, salad and then a wide variety of mixed rice dishes. The menu, as shown below, is nearly entirely in Korean. However, all the dishes have straight forward names that a translator would be effective in assisting you.

It is a themed cafe, so I was not shocked by the much higher prices. With most drinks coming in at 7,000won.

A nice touch to this restaurant is that they offer blankets free of use. I’m sure on a summer day this cave restaurant will feel quite chilly compared to the outside sun, but for me in the middle of a rainy fall day this was a warm escape.

Great Outdoor Adventures to Pair with the Kkabeu Cave Restaurant

This restaurant sits at the base of medium difficulty hike that its often overlooked by all but those trying to complete the Baekdudaegan Ridge Trail. Hwangjangsan [황장산] is 1,077 meters tall, and the 5.5km course there and back course has 520 meters elevation gain. It’s a short but intense hike that offers that classic Woraksan area beauty with rock formations and steep stair cases. On the day I went it was rainy, resulting in for some lack luster photos, but even so it was a beautiful foggy hike.

Additionally, it’s an hours drive from Danyang [단양]- a famous tourist destination with attarctions such as Sobaeksan National Park and the Gosu Cave. Likewise, Suanbo [수안보], the mountain town 15 minutes from Woraksan National Park’s main peak hike is also an hour drive away.

Happy Trekking!

– Aurora