Soknisan stands out among Korean national parks. As the closest major park to Osan Airbase and Camp Humphreys, while not being too far for residents of Seoul and Suwon, it’s convenient to get to for most foreigners based in Korea. It’s also not a one hit wonder, with 3 distinct hiking areas Nakyeongsan (낙영산), Myobong (묘봉) and the main park area with two major peaks, Munjangdae (문장대) and Cheonwangbong (천왕봉). Finally, it’s not just a hiker paradise – with river walks, a giant Buddha statue, massive historical trees, a swimmable waterfall pool and fantastic food.
In this guide, I will give detailed information about the various hiking courses across the three regions, and lodging recommendations.
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Soknisan National Park’s Main Area
There are two major peaks in Soknisan National Park – both of which are accessible through the main park area, with numerous trail options to choose from. The main peak – known as Cheonwangbong / 천왕봉 – stands at 1,048 meters, which is on par with other main peaks in the region, such as Woraksan’s Yeongbong peak at 1,097 meters.
The other peak, Munjangdae /문장대, is not only a slight bit taller than Cheonwangbong, at 1,054 meters, but it also has very beautiful views. The draw to Cheonwangbong is in part because it is on the Black Yak 100 Mountain Challege – which is the reason I hiked it when I was completing the 100 mountain challenge. While Munjangdae is on the less undertaken Baekdudaegan Ridge Trail challenge.
While both hikes are great, I would personally recommend Munjangdae over Cheonwangbong, if you don’t care about the 100-mountain challenge. But if you are a strong hiker, you can do a loop course as well and complete both peaks – which is my first choice for strong hikers.
Consider including the Sinseondae 3-way intersection/신선대삼거리 point in your hiking course. This might seem bizarre, but at Sinseondae/신선대 there is a rest stop with benches and a small restaurant style food vendor!
Learning the Map: Picking a Course and Starting Point
The orange square is the main peak Cheonwangbong, and the red square is the other peak, Munjangdae. The 3-way intersection point in the pink square.
The purple square is the main parking area and where the giant buddha (Beopjusa/법주사) and ancient tree of the national park’s logo is located. This area is also where the famous food street is located. Starting in this area allows you to park your car and do a loop hike, then explore a temple and eat great food – it’s by far the most convenient but also busiest area of the park.
[Naver Map] Songnisan National Park Beopjusa Temple Visiting Information Center 충북 보은군 속리산면 사내리 산4-1 https://naver.me/G9tWmXwW
The green square is the shortest starting point to Cheonwangbong and is where the Janggak Waterfall is located – which is on my list as one of Korea’s top 6 waterfalls!
[Naver Map] Janggak Waterfall 경상북도 상주시 화북면 상오리 장각폭포 https://naver.me/xc91Llhj
The blue square is the starting point that offers the shortest course to get to Munjangdae. But it’s not as famous as the other areas, and on the other side of the park like Janggak, but without the appeal of a beautiful waterfall.
[Naver Map] Hwabuk Visiting Information Center 경북 상주시 화북면 장암리 https://naver.me/xmtJ7mjW
When I completed my Cheonwangbong and Munjangdae hike I actually started at Hwabuk Park Information Center (blue) – but my course was only possible because I was with a hiking group that dropped me off and picked me up at different places.
For most people, I would recommend starting at Beopjusa Temple or Janggak Waterfall if you want to hike Munjangdae or Cheonwangbong.
Munjangdae
The Munjaedae peak is rather unique. With the large peak stone erected below a rock formation where a staircase has been installed on to let people reach the top. This upper area offers 360 views of both the park and surrounding area. No matter the course you take to get here, the course is fairly gradual and not comparable in difficult to mountains like Jirisan or Seoraksan. Anyone with proper equipment and a reasonable degree of fitness ought to be able to do this hike.
Recommended Course for hiking Munjangdae: Beopjusa Temple Course 1 or 2
A. Starting at Beopjusa Temple Loop – Up Course 1 & Down Course 2: Beopjusa Park Information Center -> Beopjusa Temple -> Yongbawigol Resting Place -> Munjangdae -> Sinseongdae -> Sesimjeong Resting Area -> Beopjusa Temple -> Beopjusa Park Information Center (Distance 13.1km)
B. Starting at Beopjusa Temple There and back, up and down Course 1: Beopjusa Park Information Center -> Beopjusa Temple -> Yongbawigol Resting Place -> Munjangdae ->Yongbawigol Resting Place ->Beopjusa Temple -> Beopjusa Park Information Center (Distance 13km)
See the above map for more details on course difficulty.
Cheonwangbong
Recommended Courses:
A. Starting at Janggak, There and Back: Janggak -> Cheonwangsbong Helicopter pad -> Cheonwangbong -> return the same course. (Distance: 9.8km)
B. Starting at Beopjusa Temple Loop- up Course 2: Beopjusa Temple -> Sesimjeong Resting Area -> Sinseongdae -> Birobong -> Cheonwangbong -> Cheonwangbong 갈림길 -> Sesimjeong Resting Area -> Beopjusa Temple
The Myobong (묘봉) Hiking Area
This course is less popular because Myobong is only on the 100 mountains + challenge. The course itself isn’t particularly difficult. I consider it more beauiful than Nakyeongsan (the below hiking section), but the trail quality is worse here – steepness and slipperiness.
There are two options for hiking Myobong.
I personally parked at the red star which is the official parking lot, then walked along the road to Mitasa Temple (which turned out to have parking area, so park there!). The hike itself was only 2.6 km each way from Mitasa Temple, but the course is rather sandy (loose dirt) so it’s very easy to slip – my hiking partner was not a happy camper becuase of the trail conditions.
[Naver Map] Mitasa Temple 경북 상주시 화북면 운흥4길 90 https://naver.me/GhN2Apg0
The other option is to do a loop and include Sanghakbong Peak/상학봉 as well, the red star parking lot is accessible by road from the blue ending point – Yonghwaoncheon/용화언천 – so you could do the loop as well. This is more difficult but with a variety of beautiful views.
The Nakyeongsan (낙영산) Hiking Area
Nakyeongsan, like Myobong, is on the 100 + mountain challenge, but is a more difficult hike. We elected to do the shortest course because I was with inexperienced hikers, but it still kicked their butts as the climb until the 3-way intersection is pretty tough. A nice benefit of this course is being able to see Gongrimsa Temple/ 공림사 which has a pretty, old tree.
[Naver Map] Gongnimsa Temple 충북 괴산군 청천면 괴산로공림길 104 공림사(대불조) https://naver.me/5fPcBgrm
I would recommend walking another 500 meters after the peak to see the only good views of this hike. The course quality is pretty good, but the views aren’t the best.
Electing to take a longer trail option will ensure more views, if that is a priority, but if it is I would suggest picking Myobong,
Lodging
My number one pick for this area is the STX Resort. With both comfortable accommodations and an indoor pool area, it’s the great post-hike relaxation spot that’s away from the hustle and bustle. It’s also located fairly close to Janggak Waterfall / Janggak starting point, so it offers a lot of flexibility on how to spend your time.
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
