Cheongsong Juwangsan 6.8km Trekking, a Course Walking Through a 70 Million-Year-Old Columnar Joint Gorge

Located in Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Juwangsan was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2017 and preserves unique terrain formed by volcanic activity 70 million years ago. Designated as South Korea's twelfth national park in 1976, this is also a place where thousand-year-old legends live and breathe. According to a video from the YouTube channel 'Korea Trekking', the course introduced this time is a circular route of approximately 6.8km that follows a gorge surrounded by massive rock walls like a folding screen, characterized by the ability to feel the grandeur of nature up close.

Barrier-free trails along Yongchu Valley and columnar joints

The trekking proceeds mainly through the section starting from Sangui Parking Lot, passing Daejeonsa Temple, and leading to Yongchu Falls. After walking about 10 minutes from Sangui Parking Lot, visitors arrive at Daejeonsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple founded by Uisang in the 12th year of King Muyeol of Silla (672 AD). In front of Daejeonsa Temple, a massive rock cliff spreads out like an open palm, which is also called the Hand of Buddha.

Among the courses introduced by the presenter in the video, the direction toward Yongchu Valley is designed as a flat, barrier-free path without stairs. This path, which continues along the clear valley, allows visitors using strollers or wheelchairs, as well as family travelers, to enjoy nature relatively comfortably. Walking along the valley, one arrives at Son Rock; thanks to the clean water and well-maintained benches and information boards here, it is a good place to take breaks and heal intermittently.

Walking along the valley, one encounters columnar joints, where vertical cracks formed as volcanic ash from 70 million years ago cooled rapidly. The video shows the landscape created by rocks split long vertically, explaining that it gives the feeling of traveling back to ancient times tens of millions of years ago. In particular, the scenery where the clear jade-colored valley water harmonizes with the rocky cliffs is the highlight of this course. Meanwhile, near Sirubong, there is a rock that resembles a human face, adding to the mystery. According to legend, when a Taoist master was polishing a stone here during winter, a Taoist immortal descended and lit a fire for him.

Yongchu Gorge where the sky is visible in a single line and the three-tier waterfall

The highlight of the course is undoubtedly Yongchu Gorge. The gorge captured in the video takes on a mysterious appearance where the sky looks like a single strip of light between massive rock walls. It boasts an overwhelming scale, to the point that ancestors in the past considered this place the entrance to the world of immortals. This gorge was formed during the Cretaceous period about 70 million years ago, and as the rock walls fell away over time, the magnificent waterfalls seen today were created.

Yongchu Falls, located at the end of the gorge, consists of a total of three tiers. In the video, the flowing waterfall is described as being shaped like a winding dragon, emphasizing that this waterfall, which corresponds to the dragon's tail, is a massive work created by nature. After viewing this spectacular site, which is grand enough to make one believe in the legend of the dragon's ascension, one can move toward Juwangam Hermitage and Juwanggul Cave via the ecological observation path.

Mountain path course passing Juwangam Hermitage and Juwanggul Cave

The ecological observation path section following Yongchu Falls includes some stairs and uphills, unlike the previous barrier-free path. According to the video, it is recommended to wear hiking boots as this section has slopes. Juwangam Hermitage, which can be visited through this path, is a sub-temple of Daejeonsa Temple located deep in the mountains. According to legend, it is said to have been built to comfort the soul of King Ju.

Near Juwangam Hermitage lies the natural cave, Juwanggul Cave. Located inside the rock walls between the gorges, this cave is known by legend as the place where King Ju lived in seclusion. The video conveys a sense of awe toward nature through the appearance of Juwanggul Cave, which exudes a mysterious atmosphere amidst the deep mountains. When descending, one comes down toward Daejeonsa Temple via Juwangam Hermitage and Juwanggul Cave, finishing in a circular manner that reconnects to the original course.

The circular course introduced this time is 6.8km in total and takes about 3 hours depending on walking speed and rest time. As of the video's release, it was guided that from late April to early May, primroses bloom and dye the valley red, and from mid-October to early November is the best time to enjoy the autumn foliage harmonizing with the rocky cliffs. Visitors are advised to plan their visit considering the valley water volume and scenery, which change depending on the season and weather.