Discover hidden beauty among ridges, Dobongsan Main Ridge Tr

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Bukhansan National Park

Discover hidden beauty among ridges, Dobongsan Main Ridge Trail

Published Date : Dec 19, 2022 / Edited Date : Oct 11, 2023

The main ridge of Dobongsan stretches from the Uinam Ridge, past Uiam Rock, and up
to Sinseondae Peak via Jubong. Including the ridges of Podae and Sapae, the entire
ridge line measures some 11 kilometers. The relatively challenging climb starts with a
gentle uphill that gradually increases in slope past Mangwolsa Temple. Those who make it
to the top are rewarded with unobstructed panoramic views and the beauty of the valleys and streams hidden between the ridges.

Hiking route

Mangwolsa Station Wondobong Valley Mangwolsa Temple Podae Ridge Podae Observatory Sinseondae Peak Podae Observatory Darak Ridge Eunseogam Hermitage Dobong Visitor Center

Total travel distance 9.32km

Average travel time 6 hours

Difficulty advanced

COURSE MAP

A diagram showing the route of movement of the 7th course of Bukhansan National Park, the main ridge of Dobongsan Mountain. The difficulty of the section from Mangwolsa Station to Wondobong Valley, the starting point, is easy, the section from Wondobong Valley to Mangwolsa is normal, the section from Mangwolsa to Podae Ridge is normal, the section from Podae Ridge to Podae Observatory is difficult, and from Podae Observatory to Sinseondae The section up to is very difficult, the section from Seonseondae to Podae Observatory is very difficult, the section from Podae Observatory to Attic Ridge is very difficult, the section from Attic Neungseon to Eunseokam is difficult, from Eunseokam to the destination, Dobong Exploration Support The difficulty of the section to the center is normal.

A graph showing the change in altitude between the 7 courses of Bukhansan National Park, the main ridge of Dobongsan Mountain. Total length 9.32 km. The starting point, Mangwolsa Station, is about 0 km away and about 35 meters high. Wondobong Valley is about 1.65 kilometers long and about 177 meters high. The distance of Mangwolsa Temple is about 3 kilometers, and the altitude is about 450 meters. The distance of Podae Ridge is about 4 km, and the altitude is about 620 m. The distance to Podae Observatory is about 4.6 kilometers, and the altitude is about 710 meters. The distance of Sinseondae is about 5.5 kilometers, and the altitude is about 710 meters. The distance to Podae Observatory is about 6.2 kilometers, and the altitude is about 590 meters. The distance to the attic ridge is about 7 km, and the altitude is about 420 m. The silverstone rock distance is about 9 kilometers, and the altitude is about 80 meters. The destination, the Dobong Exploration Center, is about 9.32 kilometers long and about 67 meters high.

INFORMATION

About the trail

The path down Darak Ridge from Podae Observatory can be hard to find. Take the left narrow path down from Podae Observatory and make a left at the entrance to the boardwalk. Go around the boulder while holding the handrails.

Shelter and hiking tips

The trail is physically demanding so hikers should pace themselves and take regular breaks.

Transportation

Take Exit 3 at Mangwolsa Station, Seoul Metro Line 1, and walk about 20 minutes down the path to the right to reach Wondobong Visitor Center, then hike toward Wondobong Valley from there.

SPOTS

Wondobong Valley

The “ won ” in Wondobong means “original.” Also known as Mangwolsa Valley, Wondobong Valley stretches from Jaunbong Peak past Mangwolsa Temple, Deokje Spring, and Ssangyongsa Temple all the way down to Wondobong Visitor Center. Midway between Ssangyongsa and the spring is Dukkeobibawi, a boulder projecting from the rock face that is said to resemble the head of a toad.

Mangwolsa Temple

Founded by the Buddhist monk Haeho in 639 under orders from Queen Seondeok of the Silla Kingdom, this temple gets its name from mangwol , which means to “gaze at the moon.” A rabbit-shaped boulder to the east of the Daeungjeon Hall stares at the moon- shaped boulder to the west.

Podae Ridge

Stretching north from Jaunbong Peak, the summit of Dobongsan, this ridge got its name, which literally means “artillery battery,” from the anti-aircraft artillery installed here during the Korean War. Podae connects to Wondobong Valley in the north and Dobong Valley and Obong Ridge in the south.

MORE INFO

King Gyeongsun, the last monarch of the Silla Kingdom, was preparing to surrender to Goryeo. His son, Crown Prince Maui, was vehemently opposed to surrendering the millennium- old kingdom. With his life in danger, the prince went into hiding at Mangwolsa Temple on Dobongsan Mountain. His father eventually surrendered to Goryeo King Taejo. Lamenting the loss of his kingdom, Maui spent the rest of his days eating wild shrubs and grass as a hermit.
Dobongsan purportedly nurtured Um Hong-gil, the first person to climb the 16 highest points on Earth, and his mountaineering aspiration. As a child, Um honed his rock-climbing skills with professional mountaineers on the steep rock faces surrounding his home.

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