2020 Jeonbuk LIFE Magazine 3rd Issue

THE FIRST COUNTY PARK
Gangcheonsan was designated as
Korea’s first county park on January 7,
1981. Jeollabuk-do contains four famous
national parks and four provincial parks,
but only two county parks, including
Jangansan and Gangcheonsan, which
are not nearly as widely known.
Nevertheless, Gangcheonsan is arguably
one of the most beautiful mountain
parks in Jeollabuk-do year round.
In fact, the entire trail in to the picnic
area is designated as a "barefoot path"
with two options at every stream
crossing: either take the bridge across,
or wade through the shallow water
along the cobblestone path below.
Between Gangcheonsa Temple and
the open picnic area, there is a large
clearing with a 75m long cloud bridge
suspended 50m overhead.
According to KoreaSanha.net which has
a ranking of Korea’s top 300 mountains,
Gangcheonsan ranks 21st in popularity,
coming in 10th place during the fall,
just two places behind Naejangsan’s
8th place autumn ranking. But, unlike
Naejangsan, which sees its popularity and
tourism peak in autumn, Gangcheonsan
is a beloved destination for all seasons,
ranking in the top 50 mountains year
round. In fact, due to its year-round
popularity, Gangcheonsan actually beats
Naejangsan overall, which ranks 36th.
Perhaps the reason for Gangcheonsan’s
popularity in all seasons can be attributed
to its outstanding natural environment.
Lush natural forests, high rock walls,
clear flowing streams, and the sound
of rushing water resonates in the valley
and creates a landscape that is as
exhilarating as it is refreshing.
EXPLORING THE TRAIL
The trail begins as most mountain
trails in Korea begin, with a wide, welltraveled,
and well cared for path, with
easy accessibility for strollers and
wheelchairs. But unlike most other
mountain paths in Korea, this one
continues to be smooth and almost
flat for nearly 4km - beyond the famous
Gangcheonsa Temple, and into a large,
open picinic area with views of a
massive rock wall with at least three
more picturesque waterfalls.
For more serious hikers, there are wilder,
rockier, mountain paths that wrap along
the ridgelines of both the north and
south mountains that surround the
valley (the highest peaks on both the
north and south sides average 580m).
But for a less demanding hike back
along the same route that you came in
on, there is also a mountain boardwalk
that follows the main trail. The first
time I went to Gangcheonsan, I took
the barefoot mountain path in to the
picnic area, and returned along the
mountainous boardwalk that branches
off from there and climbs up into the
trees, some 50-100m above the main
path.
All in all, Gangcheonsan certainly has
something for everyone, and something
for all seasons. Although Naejangsan
may be more popular in the fall, it’s no
wonder that Gangcheonsan is actually
more popular year round. From rainbow
misting waterfalls, to stone and sky
bridges overlooking Korea’s lush natural
forests and crystal clear streams, to
hidden gems like little known waterfalls,
rocky enclosures and caves, and a
mountain boardwalk, Gangcheonsan
has to be my favorite mountain that
I’ve discovered in recent years. It’s well
worth at least a day trip, since the drive
from Jeonju is just over an hour. But
with numerous pensions surrounding
the mountain as well, it may just be the
perfect place for an extended getaway.
32 Jeonbuk Life Magazine / Fall 2020 • Issue 20