Deogyusan National Park [덕유산국립공원] is one of South Korea’s best-kept secrets, often overlooked by international visitors despite its exceptional hiking trails and stunning natural beauty. This underappreciated park offers a range of outdoor experiences that rival other well-known national parks. In this guide, I aim to highlight the unique charm of Deogyusan and bring attention to why it deserves a spot on every hiker’s itinerary.
This is a getaway destination perfect for the whole family, non-hikers, Korean food enthusiasts and the skiing community.
In this guide I cover:
- An overview of Deogyusan’s hiking trails
- The gondola hiking trail to the peak
- The longer hiking trail from Gucheondong to the peak
- The Baekdudaegan trail sections
- An overview of the Gucheondong area
- Local delicacies and Recommended Restaurants
- Local Attractions and festivals in the Area
- Recommended lodging
- Comprehensive public transportation information
- And my ideal 3-day 2-weekend trip to Deogyusan!
I’m writing this guide with the expertise of having hiked and visited Deokyusan National Park on 7 separate occasions under various conditions and by various methods
Hiking Courses in Deogyusan National Park
Hiking to the Main Peak
Hyang-jeok-bong [향적봉 – red block in below map] is the highest peak in Deokgyusan National Park, standing at 1,614 meters. It is the credit point for the Black Yak 100 Mountain Challenge and draws crowds year round. Unlike most peaks there are actually two peak ‘stones’, which you can take a picture with to show you have conquered this mountain.
There are two main courses that you can take to the peak (Yellow and Green – I call them this they don’t have official names). The green course departs from the Muju Ski Resort and has you taking the gondola to the top of the ski resort, also know as 설천봉 [Seolcheonbong] then hiking up the 600 meter boardwalk course to the peak. The yellow course is significantly longer and a proper hike. It departs from the Deokgyusan National Park Office, past the visitor center and Bankyeosa Temple and then upwards to the peak. I note the visitor center as it has a vending machine selling the national park bears. Below I detail these courses in greater detail.
Regardless of which course you take, I do recommend you spend time in the area around the National Park Office (Yellow Star on map). This is where the best restaurants are located – something I cover in greater detail in the foods section of this guide.
Likewise stopping by the Hyangjeokbong Shelter [향적봉대피소 – light blue arrow] for a coffee or hot chocolate is also a fun 15 minute stop on to the hike.
Taking the Yellow Course from Deogyusan National Park Office
This is the most popular trail to take for the hiking community and is displayed in both maps as the yellow line. It is a total of 7.8km one way. I would note that while that may appear like a very long one-way trip, the first 4.3km is very flat rated, and rated easy.
The first 5.3 kilometers are called the Gucheondongeosagil Trail [구천동어서길], which is named after the area, Gucheondong [구천동]. This course is an excellent nature walking trail as it follows the river as it slowly winds its way up the mountain. This trail is a mix of road walking and boardwalks, as it is still the active road that leads to the Beakryeonsa Temple [백련사], but you are not allowed to drive your personal vehicle on it.
On the above map there are many waterfalls and rocks that are noted – as you progress along this trail there are informative signs that talk about local mythology and ecology.
Deogyusan national park’s official mascot/ keystone species is the Kumgang Fat Minnow [금강모치]. This stream system is a protected area for aquatic life, with numerous fish calling this stream home, including the Kumgang Fat Minnow.
After the first 5.3km you come to the Beakryeonsa Temple [백련사], which is a small temple complex that marks the transition from an easy stroll to steep hike. The temple is pretty in the spring with the blooming azaleas but overall doesn’t stand out among mountainside temples.
For the next 2.3km the trail takes on a much steeper gradient, and the trail is considered advanced, the second highest course type that the national park service uses. You cover the majority of the elevation gain along this section and is a mix of steep staircases and rocky inclines. As it’s a popular trail in a national park the trail is well maintained with numerous resting points along the way.
There’s not much color commentary I can add about this intense short section, other than the fact it will suck, and the views are decent along the way. Once you reach the peak area the trees dissipate, and the views become wide open – assuming it isn’t foggy, which it tends to be. From here you can either come back the way you came or to descend the opposite direction toward the gondola. That course is only 0.6km, plus a one-day ticket. There is no further trail; you cannot walk up or down the ski resort, you need to buy a gondola ticket if you want to come this way.
The Muju Resort, that runs the gondola, has a free shuttle bus that goes back to the Gucheondong area, which is where this hike originated from. So, it’s very easy to do this hike as a loop course with the gondola.
Adding on another 15 minutes to go to the Hyangjeokbong Shelter [향적봉대피소 – light blue box] for a coffee or hot chocolate is also a fun little addition.
Taking the Gondola to hike to the main peak of Deokgyusan National Park
I’ve had the opportunity to ride the cable car / gondola on three occasions. From those experiences there are a couple things for you to know.
(1) In the winter you MUST reserve tickets for the weekend ahead of time online! The online reservation system is only active in the winter (Oct-Feb), during other seasons you buy in person. You can purchase spring-fall gondola tickets both from the peak and from the base of the resort.
(2) This park is famously foggy. Of the 7 times I’ve hiked this park, I’ve only had a clear view at the peak two times.
(3) You can ride the gondola back down the mountain. But most hikers will hike up one side and then take the gondola down the other side. There is a shuttle bus offered by the Muju Ski Resort that brings you back to the other side, making parking not an issue.
(4) This is an extremely easy ‘hike’ that is only 1.2km round trip from the cable car on the top of Muju resort along a casual incline. Hiking shoes arent necessary as the trail is so short and very well maintained. But in winter I would recommend you bring crampons. I saw people wearing crocks with crampons on them a number of times (eyeroll – I’m judging lol)
The whole hike can be seen in the below imagine, which I took from the Baekdudagan trail section.
Hiking the Baekdudaegan Ridge Line Course
The Baekdudaegan is the name of the mountain range that runs down the length of the Korean Peninsula. In South Korea, the Korean government has created a hiking trail that runs 700+ km and goes through 8 national parks, which are from North to South: Seoraksan, Odaesan, Taebaeksan, Sobaeksan, Woraksan, Soknisan, Deokyusan (this article), and Jirisan.
The Deogyusan Section is shown in part on the above map with a white line. The important facts about this course is that is starts and ends on the southern and northern most sections of the park and does not run through the main peak. If you want to hike the Baekdudaegan and go to the main peak of this park, you have to add an hour-long detour.
I would note that the Baekdudaegan Ridge trail section of Deogyusan National Park is much more beautiful than the rest of the park.
But realistically, you will not hike any part of the Baekdudaegan unless you fall into one of two camps – (A) you are actively completing the Baekdudaegan Ridge Trail Challenge, OR (B) you are completing the big three 대종주 courses or the large 종주 courses in Korea.
What is 대종주? What is 덕유산 육구 종주?
The 대종주 roughly translates to ‘big full course’ and in South Korea there are three 대종주, located in the following parks; Seoraksan, Jirisan and the Deogyusan. All three of these courses are 40+km courses that run along the Bakedudaegan Ridge Trail and cover the full length of the park that contain them.
I have previously detailed the Seoraksan 대종주 and the full Jirisan 대종주 as a 3 day hike, or a shorter modified version as a single day or overnight hike.
Muju Ski Resort
While I have not personally hiked the Deogyusan 대종주 (48km), I have hiked the largest section (33km) which is called the 육구 종주. The name 육구 is based on the start and end point of the trail (from 육십령 to 구천동탐방지원센터). This course is exclusively the southern section of the park following the Baekdudaegan until the turn off for the main peak at 백암봉 – which can be seen on the above map, and then descents down the yellow trail.
This course is not public transportation friendly and requires a hiking group bus or a multiple vehicle set up. Theoretically you could taxi to the starting point (육십령) but that will be fairly expensive, and you have to start by 3am as you can neither camp on the trail (as it’s all in a national park) nor are there any shelters that you can reserve along the way. But this does end at the same point that the yellow course starts (where the restaurants are) so it isn’t too bad from an accommodation and food perspective. When I completed this course in May 2022, I went with a Korean hiking group that departed Seoul at 11pm and started hiking at 2:45am.
The reason I completed this trail was because from 2022-2024 I completed the Baekdudaegan Ridge Trail Challenge with Blackyak. This challenge is the less popular sister challenge to the BlackYak 100 Mountain Challenge. If you decide to take on this course, there are some very beautiful views to take in! Since I went in May, I was able to catch the end of Azalea blooming season*.
*If you are looking for the best Azaela hikes, I would recommend you check out my spring hiking guide!
The northern section of the Baekdudaegan in Deogyusan is also a very intensive elevation gain hike like the 육구 종주 course. This hike has some overlap with the 육구 종주, as they both start in the south heading north and has you passing by the turn off point with the peak (백암봉) but instead of taking the turn off like the 육구 course does, you instead keep going north.
Likewise this is a very beautiful course, but doesn’t end in a public transportation location, so I don’t recommend it.
If late, cook dinner or do a CU run. Otherwise try a restaurant in walking distance. No shortage of these, and I have recommended 4 in this article.
Exploring Gucheondong [구천동] and its best dishes and restaurants!
Getting to know Gucheondong
From the Seoul South Bus Terminal – it’s 2.5 hours, and would require you to take a 35 taxi ride to the accommodations.
Before diving into specific dishes and restaurants, let’s explore the starting point area of the yellow hiking trail, Gucheondong.
This area has numerous restaurants and accommodations, as well as a large parking area for day hikers.
This is also the area that long distance bus departs fron and arrives at, which I have circled on the map in green.
Staying in this area is the most convenient option. There are numerous Korean pensions, but the lodging I recommend is the Muju Camping Caravan, which can be booked using an international card online.
Likewise, the best local restaurants are found in this area, as well as numerous convience stores. So there’s no need for a long drive to grab dinner or another can of beer.
The local specialty: 무리개 송어회 (Murigae Songeohway) Rainbow Trout Sashimi
This areas most famous regional food to try is trout sashimi. They raise it in local aquaculture farms, and you know which restaurants serve it by the giant tank in the front of the restaurant.
It’s the color of salmon, and can be a bit bony. For fish lovers it’s a must try.
Typically in this region this dish is done as a set that includes both the sashimi and a spicy soup cooked with the left over parts of the rainbow trout. This dish can run between 60,000 – 70,000 won and serves about 3 people. Though post-hike eating is a bit different, and a friend and I were able to put it all away in one sitting.
I have introduced this food to fellow foreigners and most weren’t a big fan, but the Koreans love it – as do I. If you aren’t a picky eater, I recommend you give it a try!
The best restaurant that I recommend in the area is 구천동맛집.
The serve both the raw trout + spicy soup combo (무리개 송어회 + 매운탕) a number of other excellent dishes. I’ve eaten here on four occasions and I’ve had all the dishes I recommend in this article.
구천동맛집 / Gucheondong Restaurant
418-23 Samgong-ri Seolcheon-myeon Muju-gun Jeonbuk-do
https://naver.me/x2jWHS1u
I also recommend the following three dishes which are considered countryside delicacies:
These dishes aren’t uniquely special to this area. Rather these are mountain area dishes which are more difficult to find in Seoul and are popular post-hike meals. They are more uniquely countryside foods than the Korean pancake which is a common post-hike food, and frankly much more delicious.
- 더덕구이 : Deodeokgui (grilled bonnet bellflower roots)
- At the 구천동맛집 restaurant, they offer a set that includes a wide selection of mountain vegetables. That set serves 4 people and is called 더덕산채정식 for 80,000 won.
- This is so good that I would eat it every time I hiked if I could. Having just left Korea for good, this dish stands on the top of foods I will miss. The root itself doesn’t have much of a taste, but it has a very ‘fun’ crunch. The dish gets all its flavor from the sauce which differs region to region, and restaurant to restaurant, but overall it’s very tasty, with a slight spicy-sweet taste.
- 토종닭 닭볶음: Tojongdak Bokkeumtang (Spicy whole chicken stew)
- This is by far the favorite dish of the people who I’ve introduced Korean hiking food to. It’s a hardy dish that’s a bit spicy; but compared to other Korean spicy dishes it isn’t too spicy. It has a whole chicken, potatoes, onions, sometimes dumplings, and a sweet-spicy sauce. It tends to come with rice.
- Typically this dish is the in the range of 50-70,000 won and serves multiple people.
- A non-spicy alternative => 토종닭백숙: Tojongdak Baeksuk (Whole chicken stew with rice, plain) (image below) Cooked with a full chicken or duck stuffed with rice, this dish can be served with the meat still in the soup or with just the meat. Excellent clean eating, but some of my friends said it was too plain.
- 산채비빔밥: Sanchae Bibimbab (Mountain Vegetable Bibimbab)
- At most restaurants it’s served individually and offers a variety of mountain vegetables, which can vary wildly based on the restaurant and region. There is more variety among Sanchae Bibimbabs than regular Bibimbabs. Although there are a few locations in Seoul that serve this dish, of the 20 or some times I’ve eaten this dish only in the countryside has it tasted good.
Other Restaurants of Note
Pretty comparable to my first choice is the 전주진미식당 – with the same quality of reviews and menu, and located next door. Looks like 전주 식당 on sign, with 진미 in small writing in a circle between the two words).
- 전주진미식당 / Jeonju Jinmi Sikdang
418-31 Samgong-ri Seolcheon-myeon Muju-gun Jeonbuk-do
https://naver.me/Gvc3uIim
Going solo? The restaurant with the best selection of dishes you can eat solo is 선화가든. Same area, just 100 meters away.
- 전주선화가든 / Jeonju Seonhwa Garden
416-6 Samgong-ri Seolcheon-myeon Muju-gun Jeonbuk-do
https://naver.me/5VmCXka0
Highly rated 산채비빔밥 and great reviews (but can’t speak for it personally), is 주목. Located near to the Muju ski resort.
- 주목/ Zumok
545-1 Simgok-ri Seolcheon-myeon Muju-gun Jeonbuk-do
https://naver.me/FzScoy1a
Additional Local Attractions in the Muju Area
The Muju wine cave was a cute, but bizarre tourist spot which has you walking through a long tunnel with a local wine sampling and buying area at the end. A unique little 20-minute side quest that’s half wine and half photo spots.
Address: 전북특별자치도 무주군 적상면 산성로 359
Taekwondo Demonstration Center
A large center that trains students in taekwondo. They offer shows here for the general public, which were quite impressive. A fun family stop.
Address: 전북특별자치도 무주군 설천면 무설로 1482
(Korean) Website: https://www.tpf.or.kr/t1/main/index.do
Muju Ski Resort
One of the smaller ski resorts in Korea, not that any of them are particularly large. But it’s one of the southern most locations. There are local ski shops you can rent from. You can hike to Deogyusan’s peak as an add on to a ski or snowboard weekend.
(English) Website: https://www.mdysresort.com/english/ski/price_lift.asp
Jeonju Hanok Village
The closest larger city to the Muju area is the cultural destination Jenju Hanok Village (전주 한옥마을) in Jeonju, South Korea.
This the largest traditional village in Korea and has restaurants with a variety of local foods, has both buildings and temples with traditional architecture and offers you the opportunity to wear Korean Hanbok.
Address: 전북특별자치도 전주시 완산구 풍남동3가 64-1
Noteworthy Festival
Muju Firefly Festival (무주 반딧불 축제)
A festival that includes live music, light shows, cultural programs and fireflies in the evening. I’ve never been, so I’m keeping things vague since I can’t verify facts.
Festival Dates for 2025: 09.06 – 09.14
(English) Website: http://english.firefly.or.kr
Car & Public Transportation and Local Lodging!
There are three places I would recommend you stay near the resort/hiking area that accept US cards and advertise to foreigners (which is my baseline for foreigner friendliness). I have stayed in this areas in Korean pensions, but it required me to speak Korean and have a Korean bank account. The following options limit those obstacles.
The number one choice on the list is the place I wish I was able to stay but was never able to because it books out early. So plan ahead on your weekend trips!
- Best location, prettiest accommodations (where I would take a partner) and convenient for transportation.
- Vaguely western, numerous foreigner reviews, inexpensive, and you can opt into breakfast. Pay a couple dollars for a Mountain View. Has family rooms.
- Cheapest and close to the ski resort. Where I would stay if I was planning on skiing at Muju Resort.
Transportation:
There are three bus locations to keep in mind (1) Muju Resort Stop, (2) Gucheondong Stop, and (3) the city of Muju Bus terminal.
The Muju Bus Terminal is a 26km (35 minute taxi ride for about 45,000 won) from Deogyusan National Park. It has the most bus time options, but is the least convenient.
Gucheondong stop has an arrival option at that can be purchased online, but on options to buy tickets online for a departure from this location. However, according to the sign on the Gucheondong stop there are departure options.
- If you intend on going to Deogyusan in the winter, there will likely be more buses heading to Muju resort in the winter. So be sure to check yourself.
The Muju Bus Terminal
From the Seoul South Bus Terminal, there is one post-working hours departure for Friday (18:10). But if you have more flexibility, as you can see there a couple departure times you can select.
Returning to Seoul, you will need to taxi to the Muju Bus terminal OR you can take a bus to the terminal from the Gucheondon Stop. I cover those tickets in the Gucheondong stop below this section.
You can depart at the following times on Sundays.
The Gucheondong Stop
There is one departure time from the Seoul South Terminal per day, departing at 7:40am and arriving at about 11am.
If you are non-beginner hiker, you can take this bus on Saturday and hike the course. While making it to the gondola before it closes or head back down the way you came before it gets dark.
Additional tickets that are not available to buy online, but can be purchased in person. The following
The following time table was updated on 01/01/2025.
These tickets go to Jeonju (전주) and Daejeon (대전). Both of theee cities have KTX train stations which you can take to Seoul. I recommend Jeonju as a fun add on to this trip.
There is one departure for Seoul South Terminal at 13:50.
All of these buses also go to Muju Bus Terminal, which as I covered above has buses that go to the Seoul South Terminal. It takes 50 minutes between departing from Gucheondong and arriving at Muju Resort.
Muju Resort Stop
If you are interested in going up the Gondola and down the hiking trail, departing from Seoul South Station to the Muju Resort is a simple way of doing things. This method is perfect if you want to stay in Gucheondong and do a one night two day trip.
Just make sure that if you are doing this trip in the winter you plan ahead by buying your gondola tickets ahead of time. I cover winter weekend gondola reservations in a separate guide.
Likewise, departing from Muju Resort to the Seoul station there is only one ticket option.
I would note that this departure time/location sells out quickly. I checked on Monday April 14th for the Sunday tickets, and all but one of the bus tickets had already been purchased. But be sure to check even if you don’t think you will take this particular destination, as there will likely be more departure and arrival times in winter. Offering you some more planning flexibility.
Easy Planning for a great weekend at Deogyusan National Park
The PERFECT Deogyusan National Park Weekend
Lodging: Muju Camping Caravan or Muju Rejortel.
If car, the Muju Sky Pension is also a good option, but not the best over all.
Day 1 (Friday):
If car, drive to accommodation.
If public transportation, depart the Seoul South Terminal at 18:10, arriving at Muju Terminal at 20:40. Take a taxi to your accommodation, arriving at about 21:20.
DAY 2 (Saturday):
Hike up the course to the peak then take the Gondola down. Shuttle bus from Muju Resort to Gucheondobg, eat in the 구천동 area. Beers at accommodation, or by the river.
Day 3 (Sunday):
If car; Muju Wine Cave and Taekwondo show, then head home.
If public transportion; bus from Gucheondong to Jeonju – couple hours walking around Jeonju’s traditional village, then bus or KTX to Seoul.
