If you are a Daejeon resident and haven’t been to Daedunsan, you are missing out! Let’s get one thing straight – I am not a fan of hiking. However, Daedunsan is absolutely remarkable. If you want to discover the natural wonders of South Korea, Daedunsan provincial park should be at the top of your list.
Location
Daedunsan is located just outside of Daejeon however, it is a little bit far from the city center. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the base Daedunsan mountain.
It is the perfect opportunity to take a day trip and go hiking with friends while creating memories in Korea. The mountain is quieter now compared to pre-covid times. Which, is a welcome sight. It is the perfect time to go and reconnect with nature as we emerge from the pandemic.
The only place where you may run into a bit of a crowd is the signature of the place, the red bridge. It is still crowded with people taking pictures and enjoying the magnificent view from above.
About Daedunsan
The area is divided into Daedunsan Provincial Park in Chungcheongnam-do and Daedunsan Provincial Park in Jeollabuk-do. First, the area of Daedunsan Provincial Park in Chungcheongnam-do is 24.54km2 in size. It is located about 50km south of Daejeon Metropolitan City. It became a provincial park in May of 1980. Odaesan Mountain (569m) is located in the east and Wolseongbong Peak (649m) is in the west.
The area of Daedunsan Provincial Park in Jeollabuk-do is 38.1 km2 in size. It is located about 55km northeast of Jeonju city. It became a provincial park in March of 1977. Odaesan Mountain is in the east, Wolseongbong Peak is in the northwest, and Cheondeungsan Mountain (707m) is in the south. To the south, the upper stream of Jangseoncheon Stream, a tributary of the Geumgang River, flows as it forms a canyon.
Daedunsan Geography
Daedunsan Mountain is one of the remnants of the northern part of the Noryeong Mountain Range. Eroded granite rocks are exposed, forming cliffs and strange rocks at the peak of the mountain. Especially, the 81m in length and 1m in width Geumgang Cloud Bridge connecting the king’s rock and Ipseokdae. The morning sunrise and sunset at Nakjodae Pavilion here are famous for their spectacular beauty.
Attractions
There are a number of attractions at Daedunsan for those with an aversion to hiking. There is the Daedunsan Cable Car, with which you can be transported up to the top of the mountain with ease. The cable car is 11,000 won for a one-way trip, or 14,000 won for both ways.
For more information on the Daedunsan Cable Car, Click Here.
In Addition, as with most mountains in Korea, there are a lot of Buddhist temples. There is Ansimsa Temple (in the southwest gorge), Yaksa Temple (its branch temple), and Taegosa Temple (in the east). A typical hiking route is from Jeonju to Jangseon-ri, a stop at Ansimsa Temple, and reaching the top of the mountain. However, hiking trails are everywhere between the temples.
Looking for more hiking trails in Korea? Click Here to learn about 6 mountains surrounding Daegu that are ideal for avid hikers!
