A Trip to Goesan: Discovering Sanggok Waterfall
A Trip to Goesan
Must-Visit Places in Goesan-gun
Sanggok Waterfall in Goesan
The waterfall presents diverse scenery depending on the season. In summer, you can enjoy refreshing water activities, and in autumn, the landscape is beautifully adorned with colorful foliage. From winter to spring, snowscapes are beautiful amidst the dormant trees, and the sound of trickling water beneath the thin ice announces the changing seasons, awakening nature. After a long summer of scorching heat, autumn has begun in Goesan's valley, which had provided respite from the heat.
I visited Sanggok Waterfall during the long Chuseok holiday. It was a family outing with all family members together. Along with Sanggok Valley, Hwayang Valley, and Gallon Valley, it is one of Goesan's three major valleys, located approximately 10km from downtown Goesan. Starting from Sanggok Junction in Chilseong-myeon, the valley stretches for about 10km to Jaesuri Pass, forming the Sanggok Gugok (nine scenic spots) including Horyongso, Sogeumgang, Byeongam, Munsuam, Ssangbyeok, Yongso, Sanggok Waterfall, Seonnyeo Tang, and Jangam.
Surrounded by mountains such as Bobaesan, Gunjasansan, and Chilbosan, you can encounter the Gugok through hiking. Among them, Sogeumgang (2nd spot) and Sanggok Waterfall (7th spot) are accessible to people with mobility issues.
First is Sogeumgang, the 2nd spot. Located approximately 3km from Sanggok Junction, it has the Sogeumgang rest area and a large parking lot, with stunning scenery unfolding below, bordering the valley. Although still green, the foliage will turn vibrant with autumn colors as the season deepens.
After briefly appreciating the scenery of Sogeumgang, I headed to Sanggok Waterfall. At the end of the road following the valley is Jeolmal Village in Chilseong-myeon, where resorts and restaurants are located. It takes 1 hour for a 1.5km round trip from Sanggok rest area. Wooden decks and walking mats are installed in the rest area parking lot, making it an accessible trail for people with mobility issues.
Despite the forecast of clear weather, the sky was heavily overcast in the morning. It was an autumn rain, defying the season of clear skies and plump horses. The gloomy weather persisted throughout the long holiday. Nevertheless, autumn has arrived.
The ivy on the cafe wall where I enjoyed a warm cup of coffee had turned red.
I remembered it was difficult to cross the valley when I first visited Sanggok Waterfall several years ago, but it has become comfortable with the installation of wooden decks. Due to the continuous rain, the valley flows vigorously. Sanggok Valley is one of the Eight Scenic Wonders of Goesan, a landscape loved by scholars such as Yi Hwang (Toegye) and Jeong Cheol (Songgang) during the Joseon Dynasty. The lush forest and shyly revealing bizarre rocks create a wonderful scene no matter when you visit.
From the parking lot to Sanggok Waterfall, the path is connected by wooden decks and forest roads. It is easy to climb even with a wheelchair or stroller. The scenery, which was lush green at the entrance of the parking lot, becomes tinged with autumn colors as you ascend the valley. The green leaves gradually fade, and some turn red. As the Sanggok Waterfall sign appears, the sound of the valley water becomes louder.
The deck road, which starts in the lush forest, continues over Sanggok Valley towards the waterfall. With the abundant water in the valley due to frequent rains, it feels like walking on water. At the end is Sanggok Waterfall. Before the accessible trail was built, I had to look down from above the valley, but now I can comfortably enjoy it from the deck observatory. Also, I can enjoy the entire valley, which was previously only partially visible due to the terrain.
Sanggok Waterfall is not large in scale, but the stream of water pouring down is vigorous. It has a shy appearance in a masculine-feeling valley. The water flowing down the 8m bedrock is like the skirt of a woman. Nevertheless, it forms a wide body of water of about 200 pyeong and shows a rough appearance once again as it passes through the bedrock area.
Here and there around Sanggok Waterfall, the autumn colors are beginning to appear. Another scene is expected when autumn deepens at the end of October.
Sanggok Waterfall can also be descended via the mountain path with the Sanggok Exploration Support Center along with the accessible trail. Climbing along the hillside connects to the forest road you walked before entering Sanggok Waterfall. The deck road can be seen below. The Sanggok Exploration Support Center was currently under construction. When many people visit when the autumn leaves are at their peak, it will greet visitors with a new look. Sanggok Valley was filled with autumn colors everywhere on the way down.
Once the unwelcome guest of autumn, the monsoon, is over, the autumn foliage will deepen and become more beautiful. Sanggok Waterfall, the 7th of the Sanggok Gugok in Chilseong-myeon, Goesan-gun, has an accessible trail, allowing anyone to enjoy the beautiful nature of Goesan in about an hour. I recommend it for a light autumn outing.
[How to get there]
📍Sanggok Waterfall, Goesan: 699-1 Sanggok-ro, Chilseong-myeon, Goesan-gun
Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224075911533
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