Summer Fun at Goesan's Seonyugugok Valley
[Goesan Supporters]
A Summer Valley for Water Activities,
Seonyudong Valley in Seonyugugok
This summer arrived early with a heat wave in mid-June, and with the rainy season in July, the summer vacation period is officially starting. Many people are heading to valleys and beaches. How about visiting Goesan's Seonyugugok? Seonyudong Valley offers opportunities for water play and light trekking.
Seonyudong Valley is located in Cheongcheon-myeon, stretching northeast from Songmyeon. After passing the Seonyudong Immortal Trail sign, you will arrive at the Seonyudong parking lot. From the parking lot, you can enjoy water activities or forest trekking. The daily parking fee is 4,000 won on weekdays and 5,000 won on weekends for small and medium-sized vehicles.
In Seonyudong Valley, there is Seonyugugok, designated by the Confucian scholar Toegye Yi Hwang during the Joseon Dynasty. It is said that he was so captivated by the beautiful scenery of mountains, rocks, and old pines that he wandered around for nine months, naming and inscribing the locations.
The valley, starting from the parking lot, is spacious and great for water activities, reflecting the lush greenery of the forest. Seonyugugok begins at Seonyudongmun, continuing to Gyeongcheonbyeok, Hakssoam, Yeondan-ro, Waryongpok, Nanga-da, Gigungam, Guam, and Eunsunam. Water activities are possible near Seonyudongmun and Eunsun Rest Area, while access to other areas of the valley is prohibited.
Safety fences are installed in the areas where water activities are allowed. However, on the day of my visit, there were no people enjoying the water in the late afternoon. With summer vacation starting for children, I expect many visitors soon.
In the open sections of Seonyudong Valley, water activities are permitted, while other areas are designated for forest trekking. The round trip from Seonyudongmun to Eunsunam is about 1.5 km, taking a little over an hour. As you pass Seonyudongmun, a dense summer forest path unfolds. Following the sound of the flowing valley water, you can feel refreshed just by listening to it.
Along the way, there are signs indicating your progress in Seonyugugok. After Seonyudongmun, you will encounter Yeondan-ro. Although I passed Gyeongcheonbyeok and Hakssoam, I almost missed them while walking carelessly. Yeondan-ro is clearly visible on the other side of the bridge, with a flat top and a dip in the middle, where it is said that immortals made elixirs for longevity.
The Yeondan-ro resembles a whale shape in the middle of the valley. Up close, the rocks look like a fish gasping for air. Large and small rocky areas form around it, with the valley water flowing vigorously. Watching the water rush between the rocks, the sweat from my walk quickly evaporated.
Seonyudong Valley is accessible to everyone with its gentle slopes. A clear stream flows alongside a narrow forest path, surrounded by lush greenery. The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the valley.
After walking for a while, I reached Waryongpok, passing through the fifth section. Waryongpok is a waterfall resembling a lying dragon, with a wide rocky area. Although I could see the valley from the forest path, entry was prohibited. I briefly felt the urge to lie down at Waryongpok but decided to respect the pristine nature.
My disappointment was eased at the Eunsun Rest Area, where water activities were also allowed. A few people were seen leaving the valley, having enjoyed the water just moments before. The Eunsun Rest Area features a pension and a small supermarket.
Beyond the Eunsun Rest Area, Seonyugugok includes Nanga-da, Gigungam, Guam, and Eunsunam, but access to these areas is also restricted, and detailed introductions were not provided. The forest path alternates between being close to and far from the valley, with a pleasant phytoncide aroma in the dense areas and beautiful open views as you approach the valley.
After repeating this several times, I arrived at the final destination, Seonyu Rest Area, at the end of a gentle uphill.
Water activities in Goesan Seonyugugok are enjoyed at the entrance near Seonyudongmun and at the mid-point Eunsun Rest Area. If you are with children, the water play near Seonyudongmun is convenient, while Eunsun Rest Area offers cooler water activities, requiring a 15-minute walk to get there.
While enjoying water activities and the summer forest, you can walk from the first to the ninth sections and dip your feet in the valley at intervals. The forest path is not steep, making for a comfortable trek, and the sound of flowing water is refreshing. When you start feeling tired, dipping your feet in the valley water makes you realize this is indeed paradise.
Goesan Seonyudong Valley offers both water activities and forest trekking. Cool off in the pristine valley and take a moment to relax.
Directions:
179 Seonyudong-gil, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224341836254
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