Hiking in Gapyeong (가평): Yeoninsan(연인산) and Myeongjisan (명지산)

Gapyeong, a small city located to the east of Seoul, is known for the tourist spot, Nami Island. Like most small rural towns in Gyeonggi-do, Gapyeong is located in a valley between an assortment of mountains, making it a convenient hiking getaway.

Yeoninsan (연인산), Myeongjisan (명지산), and Hwa-aksan (화악산) are three big mountains to the north to hike if you are based in Gapyeong. All three are on the Black Yak 100 mountain challenge list.

In this article I will tell a story through photos of my hike of Yeoninsan and Myeongjisan. These hikes can be done independently in the range from 8-15km each. But for the more adventurous, they are connected in a 22km circuit.

연인산/Yeoninsan
There are a variety of options for this hike with additional smaller peaks that can be added. I hiked the route connected to Gapyeong city (long orange). But there are direct options that are 3-4km to the summit (pink), a route that includes the 매봉/Maebong peak that is 6km (blue) or optional add ons like the 6km hike (most left orange).

명지산/Myeongjisan
Reaching the summit can be hiked as a loop hike, there and back, or connected to Yeoninsan

My verdict: Worth a visit if you a crazy hiking person like myself – but its not in my top 10. It’s conveniently connected to Seoul by the GJ subway line so its above average when it comes to location and convenience.

I didn’t have the time to hike Hwa-aksan (화악산, 1436 M), but it is on my list. It’s the 9th highest mountain in Korea and the largest in Gyeonggi-do (which could be encouraging or discouraging depending on who you are).

On this hike, I wanted to do some road walking to explore the area so instead of taking a direct route/trail , I wandered through the town, taking the orange route, and road walked or hiked for 15km before reaching the summit.

I decided to tell the story of the hike through just my photos instead of just rattling off some commentary in large part because there are so many options to the hike but also because this hike was my stress release from a frustrating school situation and I was more focused on my own thoughts.