Jirisan is a bucket-list sort of Korean hiking adventure but it can be a little intimidating when considering all the transportation and other logistics. Here is my one stop guide to making Jirisan possible! No crazy transfers, no chaos, and very affordable ($56 per person/72,000 won)!

This guide described two hiking options for the peak: (1) day trip and (2) a longer course with a mountain shelter overnight. Both with an opportunity to see the sunrise!

If you are interested in something more intense, consider completing the 3 day 2 night overnight shelter ridge line hike or if you want to see a different part of the Jirisan National Park consider hiking the Nogodan peak – I wrote guides and reviews for both of these Jirisan adventures as well. The ridge line hike remains one of favorite in Korea!

South Korean National Parks don’t sell their own swag, which is why I have designed some items for Jirisan National Park -> So if you need something to commemorate your time at this park you can check out my Etsy shop! The designs center around the Jirisan peak stone and the Jirisan half-moon bear.

Timing

Jirisan National Park has yearly fire reservation that normally run from Nov-December and March-May. During this time the majority of the ridge line is closed (making overnight ridge hikes impossible) but certain courses leading to the the main peak remain open.

Day trip: if you are doing the day style trip using this guide, worry not! This trail doesn’t get closed during the fire season! But if you are nervous follow the below instructions~

Overnight trips: The longer overnight trip has a section which is routinely closed during the fire season – To see the current restrictions you can head to the Korean National Park website (here). Throw on google chrome’s auto translate function, and in the middle of the screen are the name of the parks with either a white or red/orange background. White means fully open, and red implies some closures. More detailed info on closures can be found by clicking the parks name Jirisan /지리산.

This Guide’s Content:

• Hiking Courses for Day Trip or Overnight Trip
• Transportation for Day Trip or Overnight Trip
• Budgets for Day Trip or Overnight Trip
• Restaurant while waiting for the bus
• Booking Shelters or Jump to my Guide on Booking Shelters

Day Trip

This trip can be done either as a loop (15.7km) or as a there and back style hike (14km).

The start/end point of the hike is the Jungsanri Bus terminal – which is where you catch the bus to return home. The Bus terminal is 1.6km walk to the official Jirisan park entrance. From the park entrance, the 2km leading the to ‘칼바위’ intersection is fairly easy as it’s pretty flat. It’s a lovely trail following the river along the valley. At the intersection a decision needs to be made ~ Your two options vary in distance and difficulty, with both meeting at the peak.

Direct Peak Course:

Course: 10.8km hike + 3.2km walk = 14km

Bus Terminal -1.6km -> 중산리/Jungsanri – 1.3km-> 칼비위/intersection – 2.1km-> Rotari Shelter – 2.0km -> Peak -7km-> return to the bus terminal

The shortest version of this hike is leaving from the Jungsanri (중산리) enterance in the lower right and heading directly to the peak (right at the intersection). The views are only at the upper most 1-0.5km. It’s a rather intense journey the whole way up, but has very beautiful views on the stairs!

You do get an opportunity to use the bathroom and sit on some benches at the halfway point of the difficult section at Rotary Shelter, just below Beapgyesa Temple (green star in above map).

Shelter/Ridgeline + Peak Course:

*recommended*

Course: 12.5km hike +3.2km walk = 15.7km

Bus Terminal -1.6km -> 중산리/Jungsanri – 1.3km-> 칼비위/intersection – 4km-> Jangteomok Shelter – 1.7km-> Peak – 4.2km-> 칼비위/intersection -1.3km-> 중산리/Jungsanri – 1.6km-> Bus Terminal

Going left at the intersection to the Jangteomok Shelter is slightly less steep but a bit longer course (14km vs 15.7km).

After completing the majority of the uphill you come to Jangteomok Shelter – where you can buy water, rice etc, or just to relax on one of the numerous benches.

The upper part of the trail between the shelter and the peak on the ridge line is one of the prettiest part of the national park. It’s possible to do this trip in reverse, but having seen this section in both direction, it was more enjoyable in the shelter -> peak direction.

Public Transportation from Seoul

(1) Getting to Jirisan

Public Transportation is a breeze you can book on the app “Intercity Bus” and book a bus ticket from Seoul South Bus Terminal to Jungsanri(Sancheong). Alternatively, you can buy your ticket at the Seoul bus terminal, either at the machine or at the counter – but you run the risk of the tickets all being sold out.

The bus leaves at 23:30 from Seoul Nambu Terminal -> You will arrive at Jungsanri Bus terminal at 3:30/4am

Seoul Nambu Terminal -> 서울 서초구 효령로 292 서울남부터미널 (https://naver.me/Fv7aw4O8)

(2) Returning Home

A. Leaving at 15:35 from Jungsanri Bus Terminal for Seoul

Jirisan Service Area -> 경남 산청군 시천면 지리산대로 518 (https://naver.me/58FcUeft)

B. Going to Jinju in order to get to Seoul

• If you take the midnight bus from Seoul, arriving at 3:30/4am for hiking, you have 12 hours before the the return bus departs. This is no problem especially if you do the direct course, or if you are a decent hiker doing the longer loop course. But if you don’t describe yourself as a fit or confident hiker, I might recommend you either consider (a) not doing the loop or (b) consider the Jinju return method.

1. From Jungsanri Terminal purchase a ticket from the machine for Jinju/진주.
2. Bus departs for Jinju at 5:20 & 7:50pm *exact time may get updated each season
3. Ride the bus to Jinju Bus Terminal (roughly an hour)
4. From the Jinju Bus Terminal take a bus to Seoul’s intercity terminal (서울겨부) (a lot of departure of times!)

Waiting for the Bus:

While I would recommend you purchase your ticket ahead of time, it’s possible to get the ticket from the machine at the bus terminal at Jungsanri.

But chances are you will have a bit of a wait for the bus ~ luckily there are a couple good restaurants or a mart to eat at while you are waiting. the mart is located right in front of the Bus terminal with limited food, but they do sell beer.

Recommended restaurant: 지리산거북이산장식당

Address: 경남 산청군 시천면 지리산대로 352

Menu highlights: a local makgollie, mountain veggies bibimbab, spicy acorn jelly and mushroom Korean pancakes

It’s super easy to find it’s just immediately to the right once you have passed the Jungsanri National Park entrance building and will likely be very obvious with mostly outdoor seating.

*BUT* if you haven’t booked your ticket, you likely need to head down the 1.5km paced road to the bus terminal to get your ticket first, making it a little impractical to eat here. But if you are willing to book last minute or get the ticket early, this is a fantastic spot to eat!

*Also* make sure you remember to include 25 minutes in your schedule between eating here and getting to the bus terminal! So you don’t miss your bus!

Day Trip Budget: 71,400 won ($56) per person

+ personal food/drink expenses

• Bus ticket from South Seoul Bus Terminal (서울남부) to Jungsanri Bus Terminal (중산리): 37,400
• Bus ticket from Jungsanri Bus Terminal (중산리) to South Seoul Bus Terminal (서울남부): 34,000

Hiking Jirisan & Staying in a Shelter!

Hiking Trail

Course: 17.1km hike + 2.3km walk = 19.4km

Baekmudong Bus Terminal -> Seseok Shelter -> Jangteomok Shelter -> Peak -> Jangrisan Bus Terminal

Hiking this trail has (1) all the views of the longer day trip, (2) a shelter experience and (3) the beautiful section of the trail between Saeseok Shelter and Jeongteomok Shelter!

*The biggest benefit of staying in a shelter (especially at Jangteomok) is the ability to see the sunrise at the peak with ease. Set your alarm for 4am/5am (depending on the season) and leave the shelter as soon as the gate opens and you will be guaranteed to be at the peak by sunrise – sunrise at Jirisan is truly something special*

Day 1: 10.6km – Staying in Jangteomok Shelter!

Baekmudong Bus Terminal – 700m -> Baekmudong Information Center – 6.5km – > Saeseok Shelter – 3.4km -> Jangteomok Shelter

The Baemudong to Seseok portion of the hike is fairly easy for the 5.1km as it follows a river, then becomes advanced for the final 1.4km to Seseok Shelter.

Seseok Shelter is a nice quality large shelter in the heart of the mountain – it is possible to stay here instead of Jangteomok Shelter as I recommend in this guide (if thats of interest you can check out my guide to booking shelters where I include a number of pictures or my 3-day 2 night trip where I describe conditions at this facility).

While the shelter experience was an exciting one, the best highlight of this trip is the section of trail between Seseok and Jangteomok Shelter in my opinion.

Day 2: 8.8km

Jangteomok Shelter – 1.7km-> Peak – 4.2km-> 칼비위/intersection -1.3km-> 중산리/Jungsanri – 1.6km-> Bus Terminal

This day is all the views the day trip hikers get to enjoy, without the large up hill climb. Wake up early to see the sunrise at the peak or depart at a reasonable hour and enjoy your easy day on the mountain.

But be warned the downhill will be hard on the knees!

Transportation

(1) Getting to Jirisan

Public Transportation is a breeze you can book on the app “Intercity Bus” and book a bus ticket from East Seoul Bus Terminal to Baekmudong(백무동). Alternatively, you can buy your ticket at the East Seoul terminal, either at the machine or at the counter – but you run the risk of the tickets all being sold out.

The bus leaves from East Seoul Terminal at a variety of times (7 in total). But the most practical start times are either the midnight or 7am departures. If you depart later you will arrive at Jirisan after the allowed start time!

East Seoul Terminal -> 서울 광진구 강변역로 50 동서울종합터미널 (https://naver.me/xvLJp2kg)

(2) Returning Home

A. Leaving at 15:35 from Jungsanri Bus Terminal for Seoul

Jirisan Service Area -> 경남 산청군 시천면 지리산대로 518 (https://naver.me/58FcUeft)

B. Going to Jinju in order to get to Seoul

• Staying at the Jungsanri Shelter you only need to complete 8.8km of hiking/walking so getting to Jungsanri terminal in time for the 15:35 bus. But if something goes wrong or you need an alternative course back home because tickets are sold out, here is the Jinju return method:

1. From Jungsanri Bus Terminal purchase a ticket from the machine for Jinju/진주.
2. Bus departs for Jinju at 5:20 & 7:50pm *exact time gets updated each season
3. Ride the bus to Jinju Bus Terminal( roughly an hour)
4. From the Jinju Bus Terminal take a bus to Seoul’s intercity terminal (서울겨부) (a lot of departure of times!)

Booking the shelters

The process of booking shelters is super straightforward! Make sure to book at least a day a head of time (better to do it a week + because certain days and times of year are sold-out!), prepare the payment in cash and have the reservation printed out or a screenshot on your phone!

Both Seaseok Shelter and Jangteomok Shelter are available for online reservation. Reservations open on the 1st and 15th of each month letting you book the following 14 days. Depending on the season and weekend vs weekday, the busyness of the shelter varies dramatically. For example, the peak fall weekend will have shelters booked way ahead of time but a random summer weekday will likely be wide open~

Here my step-by-step guide to booking the shelters!

Shelter Overnight Budget: 85,500 won ($67) per person

+ personal food/drink expenses

• Seaseok Shelter (세석대피소) or Jangmok Shelter (장목대피소): 13,000 won
• Bus ticket from East Seoul Bus Terminal Baekmudong (백무동) Bus Terminal: 38,000 won
• Bus ticket from Jungsanri Bus Terminal (중산리) to South Seoul Bus Terminal (서울남부): 34,000
• Water purchased at shelters: 4,000 won
• (optional) Renting Blanket: 2,000won

Happy Trekking!