A Trip to Goesan: Discovering Hwayanggugok Valley in Autumn
A Trip to Goesan
Must-Visit Places in Goesan-gun
The Splendid Autumn of Hwayanggugok Valley, the Best of Goesan's Nine-Bend Scenic Spots
Travel invigorates our ordinary lives. Traveling with loved ones doubles the joy and happiness. On a special day when a trip for two became a trip for four, Hwayanggugok Valley in Goesan was the first place that came to mind. The wide, continuous valley cools the scorching heat in summer, and in autumn, the foliage turns red along the valley.
Hwayanggugok Valley is the Hwayangcheon Stream flowing through Hwayang-ri, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, within Songnisan National Park. Starting from the entrance of Sogeumgang Rest Area, you'll encounter nine magnificent scenic views along the 3KM of forest roads and mountain paths. Hwayang Valley originates from Cheonghwasan Mountain (988M above sea level) and flows westward, surrounded by Garyeongsan Mountain, Domyeongsan Mountain, Nakyongsan Mountain, and Jobongsan Mountain. This is why the autumn foliage of Hwayanggugok Valley is so beautiful.
If you enter Hwayanggugok Valley into your navigation, you'll arrive at the Palgakjeong Rest Area. After parking at the rest area, you'll head to Hwayanggugok Valley on foot. The 1st scenic spot of Hwayanggugok Valley requires you to retrace your steps. Then, continue uphill along the valley in the forward direction to reach the 2nd to 9th spots.
Gyeongcheonbyeok, at the entrance of Hwayangcheon Stream, is a steep rock towering beyond the valley, appearing as if it's supporting the sky, hence the name Gyeongcheonbyeok. In autumn, the foliage between the rocks adds to its splendor.
After returning to the starting point, head upstream. The 'Present-day Sculpture Exhibition,' which began at the end of July, was still ongoing. About 10 sculptures were harmoniously placed among the large trees, making the walk even more enjoyable. In mid-October, Hwayanggugok Valley still had a late-summer, green landscape. The peak of the autumn foliage is expected around early November.
The quiet forest path, wide enough for 2-3 people to walk together, changes in atmosphere as it crosses a bridge over the wide Hwayangcheon Stream. A restaurant street with cafes and eateries has formed, and the 2nd scenic spot, which was not visible for a while after passing the 1st spot, appears. Hwayanggugok Valley has the 1st spot, Gyeongcheonbyeok, at the entrance, followed by the 2nd to 7th spots in succession, and then the 8th and 9th spots after a long climb on a mountain path.
The section from the 2nd to the 4th spot is also a historic site of Song Si-yeol. Song Si-yeol was a Neo-Confucian scholar from the late Joseon Dynasty and a master of Zhu Xi's philosophy. Song Si-yeol stayed in Hwayang-ri, Goesan, named Hwayanggugok Valley, built pavilions to study and train disciples. Later, Hwayang Seowon (Confucian Academy) was built on the site where Song Si-yeol stayed, forming the Song Si-yeol Historic Site. The 2nd spot, Unyeongdam, the 3rd spot, Eupgungam, and the 4th spot, Geumsadam, are closely connected in front of the Seowon.
Across the valley from the 4th spot, Geumsadam, is Amseojae on a rock. It is said that Song Si-yeol stayed here to study and train his disciples. Currently, it represents the beautiful scenery of Hwayanggugok Valley. All nine spots are beautiful, but the scenery of Amseojae is especially the best. The vigorously flowing valley became the front yard, and the surrounding lush forest creates a landscape of fresh green in spring, deep verdure in summer, autumn foliage, and then a monochrome landscape in winter.
Crossing the bridge once more, you'll encounter the 5th spot, Cheomseongdae. At the end of the bridge, there is an observatory, and on the right hillside, you can see a rock area with large, flat rocks stacked on top of each other. It was named Cheomseongdae because the large, flat rocks are stacked, and celestial phenomena could be observed from above. It seemed possible to see it a little closer by hiking Domyeongsan Mountain, but the path to the top looked rough. Not long after, the 6th spot, Neungundae, is indicated. The towering shape seemed to cut through the clouds, hence the name.
Our ancestors loved nature and left behind poems and writings about beautiful landscapes. The names of Hwayanggugok Valley also reflect the traces of Uam Song Si-yeol's mountain and water excursions. After the last restroom is indicated, you'll arrive at Waryongam after a long climb. It was 1KM from Cheomseongdae. A wide rock in the shape of a wriggling dragon continues over the valley. Combined with the surrounding mountains, it is an even more beautiful landscape.
From Waryongam, the 8th spot, Haksodae, is nearby, and after a long climb on a mountain path, you'll arrive at Pagok. If it were a normal day, I would have been greedy, but since it was a trip with four people, I decided to respect the majority's opinion and turn back. By reducing my greed a little, everyone became happy.
At the time of the visit, Hwayanggugok Valley was showing the transition between summer and autumn. Although I didn't get to enjoy the expected autumn foliage, the scenery of the valley and mountains combined in the 7th spot made for a perfect trip. The peak of the autumn foliage in Hwayanggugok Valley is expected around late October to early November when autumn deepens. If you want to enjoy the beautiful autumn, you may want to visit Hwayanggugok Valley in Goesan.
[Location]
Goesan Hwayanggugok Valley: 205, Hwayangdong-gil, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224073730137
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