Naejangsan National Park, located in southwest South Korea, is celebrated for its vibrant fall foliage, drawing countless visitors every autumn. It’s a fantastic park to visit, but picking a trail or the best place to visit can be difficult due to the confusing maps and numerous peaks spread throughout the park.
In this guide, I will break down the park into three distinct areas / trail options and I will ask you a couple questions about what you want to trip to be like. Based on your answers, this guide will help you pick where to go on your own Naejangsan National Park adventure.
Understanding Naejangsan National Park’s Map
Naejangsan can be best understood as two loop like areas that are connected by a middle trail. Each of these loop areas have their own peaks, valleys and famous temples.
The main peak, named Sinseonbong (신선봉), is located in the ‘B’ loop, while the second highest peak, named Sangwangbong (상왕봉) is located in the ‘A’ loop. These peaks are circled in yellow. Likewise, both areas have their own famous temples, with Naejangsa Temple, which is not labeled in the above map but I have stared in purple, being located in the B loop, while the A loop is famous for Baekyangsa Temple. Both of these temple areas have extensive parking and loop B is close to the Naejangsan bus terminal, which has frequent buses to Gwangju (the closest major city).
Trail C : Connecting the Loops
The trail that I have labeled as “C” in blue, acts as a bridge between these two areas. This trail is 5.1km and connects the two loops, allowing someone to start in one loop and end in another. As is suggested by the grey lines which are roads, one can also drive or take taxis between these two areas as well.
The ‘C’ course is largely a valley style hike, in that you are mostly in the woods rather than hiking up the harsh edge of the mountain. This course has a bit of elevation ups and downs but it’s mostly declining for the first 2.7km until 순창새재 and then its a steady incline to Sangwangbong peak.
This courses distance largely depends on what course you choose to take to reach Sinseongbong peak in the B loop – this can range from 1.3km to 2.5km. This is further explained in the next section.
The “B” Loop: Sinseonbong Peak and Naejangsa Temple
The “B” loop contains Sinseonbing Peak (the main peak of the national park at 763m), Naejangsa Temple, a cable car and the 8 peak hiking course.
There are numerous ways to hike this section of the park. But broadly your countless trail options break down into three main styles of hikes.
- Taking the cable car (blue star)
- The cable car can help you cut out a significant portion of the elevation gain of a peak hike, or you can simply take it up to see the view point which overlooks the Naejangsa Temple complex and surrounding valley.
- Hiking to the Peak
- Starting from Naejangsa Temple you can take either the easy green or the advanced trail to start, creating a loop back to this temple depending on how far you want to hike. These trails range from 7km to 10km.
- Or take a taxi from the main area and take the shortest course (대가리) to reach the peak after only 1.3km.
- The 8 Peak Course
- This section of the park allows you to take on a ridge line circle course with 8 peaks (the 7 green circled peaks + the main peak in yellow). This course is quite rocky and give you lots of non-traditional hiking moments. There are any number of bail out points if you decide you want to end early. This trail about 14km.
The “A” Loop: Sangwangbong Peak and Baekyangsa Temple
The “A” loop is more casual friendly with a large temple complex, ponds and a nature trail prior to reaching the main hiking area. But compared to the “B” loop there are far less hiking course options, but still plenty to explore. This area is famous for Sangwangbong Peak and Baekyangsa Temple
Between the parking lot and Baekyangsa Temple prepare for quite a walk, with 1.6km of forested but paved walking paths that run along the water and a road. It’s a beautiful stroll with some of the largest trees I’ve ever seen in a Korea national park. This is by far the busiest section of the whole park, as the Baekyangsa Temple attracts more people than the Naejangsa Temple.
After reaching Baekyangsa Temple you have a couple hiking options that range in difficulty.
- Hiking to Sangwangbong (741m)
- This can be done was a loop with you hiking up first to Baekhakbong (651m) and then across the ridge to Sangwangbong and down the mostly paved road valley back to Baekyangsa Temple. Or you can do it as a there and back, most easily through the valley course. The loop option is 8km while the there and back is 7km.
- Short hike to Backhakbong peak (651m)
- While this trail is only 3.8km round trip from the Baekyangsa Temple, 2.6km of this course is advanced difficulty. This trail brings you to Yaksaam Heritage as well as the main peak and offers view of Baekyangsa Temple
Determining the best course for you in Naejangsan National Park
If you answer yes, please see the recommended course option(s). The options are detailed below the questions!
- Are you completing the 100 mountain challenge?
- Then consider option C
- Both Sinseongbong and Sangwangbong peaks are on the 100 mountain challenge. Meaning you can cross off both of these mountains in one day, saving you a second trip back to this national park if you take the connecting trail between loops A and B.
- Then consider option C
- Are you wanting a more challenging and non-traditional hiking experience? (Over 10km)
- Then consider option B.2
- The 8 peak course is more challenging than a traditional hike, but it has high pay off with numerous views and unique rocking climbing style sections. It’s 14km but has multiple bail out points, which all lead back to the central located Naejangsa Temple in Loop B.
- Then consider option B.2
- Are you wanting an easier day exploring nature and temples? (Under 5km)
- Consider options A.2 or B.3
- Both Naejangsa and Baekyangsa Temples are decently large complexes which have a lot of beautiful sites to take in. The A.2 option lets you ride the cable car to a viewing point, while the B.3 option is a round trip 4km hike to a similar quality view.
- Consider options A.2 or B.3
- Are you just wanting a simple hike to a peak with lots of nice views? (Under 10km)
- Then consider option A.1 or B.1
- Both the Sinseongbong and Sangwangbong peaks offer simple loop courses or there and back options under 10km.
- Then consider option A.1 or B.1
- Are you completely relying on public transportation and want to keep expenses low?
- The consider any of the B options
- The “B” loop is located near to the Naejangsan bus terminal, which has frequent buses to Gwangju (the closest major city). Gwangju is connected to all the major cities in Korea by bus and is connected to Seoul by the KTX as well.
- The consider any of the B options
- Are you wanting to see the most famous fall foliage area?
- Then consider options A.1 or A.2
- The most famous area to see the fall foliage in Naejangsan National Park is Baekyangsa Temple and the valley course between Baekyangsa Temple and Unmunam Hermitage.
- Then consider options A.1 or A.2
Hiking Options:
A.1 A Loop or there and back course between Baekyangsa Temple and Sangwangbong peak in Loop A -> 7-8km
A.2 Walking around Baekyangsa Temple and short hike to Baekhakbong peak in Loop A -> 4km hiking
B.1 Loop course from Naejangsa Temple to the Main peak Sinseonbong in Loop B -> 7km-10km
B.2 The 8 peak course in Loop B -> 14-16km
B.3 Taking the cable car to the view point and exploring Naejangsa Temple in Loop B
C. Hiking the connecting trail with Sinseonbong (763m) and Sangwangbong Peaks (741m) -> 14-16km course
Peak Fall Foliage at Baekyangsa Temple
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Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
