Enjoy a Relaxing Climb and Scenic Views at Seonunsan (Gochang, Jeollabuk-do)
Seonunsan is even mentioned in popular songs. Specifically, it's not 'Seonunsan' but 'Seonunsa' (Song Chang-sik's Seonunsa). Seonunsa is also beautiful. Along with Geumsansa on Moaksan near Jeonju, it is considered one of the top-tier temples in Jeollabuk-do. Good temples are usually nestled in beautiful mountains, so if you love mountains, Seonunsan and Moaksan are hard to pass by.
If you walk along the stream, Seonunsa is nearby, and if you follow the pleasant walking path, you'll soon reach Dosolam. Seonunsan was once called Dosolsan. The name changed as Seonunsa became famous, but old residents still call it Dosolsan. Although it's a hermitage, it's large enough to be called a temple. However, since it's situated on a massive rock, you have to climb about 300 steps from the hiking trail, so we headed straight to Yongmungul.
From Dosolam to Yongmungul is about 600 meters, but compared to the path we've walked so far, the slope is 'tremendous,' so if you brace yourself a bit, anyone can climb it easily. It's more like a rock-made gate than a cave, and it looks like it says, 'I am Yongmungul,' so no signpost is needed. It seems like a dragon could climb it.
If you follow the stairs from Yongmungul, you'll soon reach the ridge. It's Nakjodae, but the real observatory is a bit further west along the ridge. Of course, the view from the ridge is also good in both directions. Without much rest, a little further is Cheonmabong.
At 284 meters above sea level, Cheonmabong is not the main peak of Seonunsan, but among the peaks of the long Seonunsan range, it is the most popular along with Nakjodae. The main peak is Suribong or Dosolbong, located to the north of the mountain range, and is a favorite course for those who enjoy traversing. On this day, we decided to climb only Cheonmabong.
❚❚❚INFORMATION ❚❚❚
✔ Seonunsan
Address / Yeonhwari, Simwon-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Course / Seonunsan Tourist Information Center - Seonunsa - Dosolam - Yongmungul - Nakjodae - Cheonmabong (Round trip, about 9.5km)
Inquiries / Seonunsan Provincial Park Management Office 063-560-8681
✔ Course
Seonunsan Tourist Information Center - (1 hour, 3.7km, very easy) - Dosolam - (15 minutes, 0.6km, slightly difficult) - Yongmungul - (10 minutes, 0.3km, moderate) - Nakjodae - (5 minutes, 0.2km, moderate) - Cheonmabong