The Beauty of Wolchul Mountain
Written by Natale Ryan
Photographed by Wilson Melbostad
South Korea is a country that is both rich in history and beautiful landscapes. From the beaches of Busan to the picturesque mountains of Pyeongchang, there is always something new to see and experience. Since hiking is a favorite pastime among many Koreans, and one of the most profitable markets among retailers, it would be a mistake to write about outdoor activities and not mention it. Since I first came to live abroad, I had not ventured out to climb any of Korea’s fine mountains, but that all changed this past month.
In Jeollanam-do, in the small town of Yeongam, there is a national park named Wolchulsan National Park. “Wolchul-san” (월출산), meaning “mountain where the moon rises,” became Korea’s 20th national park in 1988. The mountain’s highest peak, Cheonhwang-bong, is 809 meters above sea level. The entrance to the park is not too difficult to get to, and it is quite easy to get a taxi to and from the main gate. There are several coffee shops dotting the entrance and a small convenience store that sells small bottles of sunscreen and plenty of bottled water. If you are planning a trek to the top of the mountain, or even just to Cloud Bridge, it would be wise to grab a few supplies as the climb is steep and demanding.
Once you venture up the driveway leading to the camping area, take a left and you will step onto a path that leads to the mountain trail. In the past, I would have been surprised to find staircases built into the jutting rocks of any mountainside, but now I know the necessity of such staircases as “hiking” here is more challenging than the casual hiking that I was used to. On the way up, there are many piled boulders that you can easily hoist yourself up onto in order to reach the top. Most of the time, I would sigh with relief when I saw a staircase, but even then, as I climbed my legs would remind me that the stairs were installed mainly for safety rather than ease.
As I ventured higher, I was rewarded with a grand view from the hundreds of meters that I had conquered. Though it seemed to be strenuous, I was treated to beautiful babbling brooks and twisted roots each step of the way. The sun was not too much of an annoyance, and sunblock was not so necessary, but then again, it was only April at the time. The trees overhead gave a much needed and welcomed shade, yet enough sky filtered through the leaves so that I was still treated to the most beautiful blue sky.
Though beautiful, the trail is not recommended for very young or inexperienced hikers. Anyone daring to go beyond Cloud Bridge, which is about 1.7 kilometers up from the starting point (and 510 meters above sea level), would probably need climbing gear and steady feet. Cloud Bridge, also known as Gureum-dari (구름달리), is worth the hike. Painted bright orange, the bridge is about 53 meters long, 5 meters wide, and is suspended 120 meters above the ground. The bridge is stretched between two peaks, and the view from each is breathtaking. The area is surrounded by rocks so high and flat that you can sit atop them and look out over Jeollanam-do.
Though I enjoyed my afternoon, I was relieved to be finished with my adventure. Going back down the mountain is not as strenuous, but it is very steep. I recommend a pair of sturdy, trustworthy shoes and a hiking pole. Overall, I highly recommend Wolchul Mountain if you are looking for a fulfilling way to spend your time. Presently, the park offers hiking courses that range from moderate to extremely difficult. You can visit the park’s visitor center or find more information on their website: http://english.knps.or.kr/
The Author
Natale is an English teacher in Mokpo. She is from Memphis, Tennessee, in the United States. She attended college in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and majored in criminology and sociology. In her free time, she enjoys watching scary movies and writing short stories. Her favorite movies are To Kill a Mockingbird, E.T., and Memento. Her heroes are Snoopy and Audrey Hepburn.