Woraksan National Park

Introducing Woraksan National Park

Woraksan, which means ‘Moon Crags Mountains’, offers fine hiking through picturesque forests, with lake views and the slim chance of seeing an endangered goral antelope. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office (653 3250; adult/youth/child W1600/600/300; sunrise-sunset).

A road runs right through the park, so access is no problem. Mireuk-ri, the tourist village at the southern entrance, is 11km southeast of Suanbo Hot Springs. Scattered near the tourist village is Mireuksaji, the remains of a temple that was originally built in the late-Shilla or early-Goryeo period. A couple of stone pagodas and a stone Buddha are the main relics, though a replacement shrine hall is being built.

The most popular hiking route starts deeper in the park at another small tourist village, Deokju, which has a camping ground. Follow the trail up to Dongmun, the east gate of an ancient mountain fortress, whose walls stretched for 10km, that dates back to the Goryeo dynasty. Further on is a temple, Deokjusa, after which you bear left to the uninspiringly named peak ‘960m-bong’ – Korea has so many mountain peaks that it’s run out of names. Carry on to Woraksan (1093m) and then descend the steep slope back down to the access road and Songgye-ri, another tourist village at the northern entrance to the park. The total distance is around 10km and takes about six hours.

There are shops, restaurants and minbak (private homes with rooms for rent) in Songgye-ri, Deokju and Mireuk-ri, plus two camping grounds (W3000 to W6000 per night).

Local buses (W1000, 45 minutes, five daily) leave from outside Chungju bus terminal to Mireungni and through the park to Songgye-ri. They can also be picked up in Suanbo’s main street (W1000, 10 minutes, five daily).

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009