Hiking Deoksungsan Mountain via Sudeoksa Temple: A Blend of Nature and History
Deoksungsan Mountain (495m), located in Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, is one of Korea's 100 most beautiful mountains (as selected by the Korea Forest Service).
In the Hoseo region, it is known as the "Geumgangsan of Hoseo" due to its outstanding scenery.
Designated as Deoksan Provincial Park along with nearby Gayasan Mountain (678.2m), it is a popular destination throughout the four seasons, attracting many visitors with its unique rock formations and stunning views.
While not particularly high, it is home to the ancient Sudeoksa Temple, making it a famous spot where you can enjoy both temple visits and hiking.
This time, I hiked the most popular Sudeoksa Temple hiking trail.
Hiking Course (Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes)
Sudeoksa Temple Parking Lot → Daeungjeon Hall → 1080 Stone Steps → Jeonghyesa Temple → Mangong Pagoda → Deoksungsan Summit
Sudeoksa Temple Parking Lot
Location: Sacheon-ri 20, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (Sudeoksa Temple Entrance)
Fee: 4,000 KRW for compact cars (1-day pass)
Hours: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Subject to change depending on the season and events)
Features: A 10-minute walk from the parking lot will take you to Sudeoksa Temple's Cheonwangmun Gate. On the way, you can sample heart-shaped popped rice cakes and Jerusalem artichokes!
Sudeoksa Temple's Daeungjeon Hall
Sudeoksa Temple, considered Yesan's No. 1 scenic spot, is the most representative attraction of Deoksungsan Mountain.
This ancient temple with a 1,500-year history houses many cultural assets and Buddhist artworks, and it still offers temple stay programs. Sudeoksa Temple is so famous that Deoksungsan Mountain is often called Sudeoksan Mountain.
This wooden structure, built in the late Goryeo period (1308), is designated as National Treasure No. 49.
It is one of the oldest existing wooden buildings in Korea.
Characterized by its simple tiled roof and compact structure, it is an iconic building of Sudeoksa Temple.
Beokcho Monk's 1080 Stone Steps (Approximately 40 minutes to Jeonghyesa Temple)
The hike begins in earnest from the path next to Daeungjeon Hall.
Endless stairs make you breathless,
but it feels like walking the path of an ascetic.
Actually climbing it, the sense of pressure from the number of stairs was tremendous...ㅠㅠ So hard!
The sign keeps guiding you, just follow the summit.
I will introduce the places you encounter while hiking in order.
1. Samyeonseokbul (Four-Faced Stone Buddha)
Following the path, you can see the four-faced Buddha carved into the rock.
I paused briefly, feeling like the Buddhas carved in four directions were watching over the hikers.
2. Sorimchodang (Small Hermitage)
A small hermitage located on the mountainside of Deoksungsan Mountain, where monks have practiced asceticism for a long time.
According to records, it is said that Monk Muhak stayed here at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty.
As the name suggests, it means 'small hermitage',
and it actually looked like a simple thatched house from the outside.
3. Gwaneum Bosalipsang (Standing Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva)
A Buddha statue said to have been carved directly from a rock by Monk Mangong.
Symbolizing compassion and comfort,
it is a good place to take a break from the difficult stairs.
4. Hyangungak
A pavilion located in the middle of the hiking trail.
Although not large, it has a neat appearance and exudes an atmosphere like a training space.
5. Mangong Pagoda
A pagoda built to commemorate the achievements of Monk Mangong.
On the front is 'Mangong Pagoda', and on the left and right sides are '世界一花' (Se Gye Il Hwa - One Flower in the World) and '百艸是佛母' (Baek Cho Si Bul Mo - All Plants are the Mother of Buddha),
and it is said that Monk Mangong's autograph, biography, and Dharma teachings are engraved.
6. Jeonghyesa Temple
A hermitage founded by State Preceptor Doui at the end of the Silla Dynasty and the lifelong training place of Monk Mangong. It is simple but historically significant.
Deoksungsan Summit (495m)
The course to the summit continues past Jeonghyesa Temple~!
If you go straight up following the signs, you will come to a fork.
There are two courses to the summit,
and we went up the short course.
If you go up to the end, you can see the Yesan Saenawa and the distant West Sea along with the summit stone.
Arrived at the top of Deoksungsan Mountain~!!
After resting at the top while eating sandwiches and gimbap, I completed the descent!⛰️
Deoksungsan Sudeoksa Course Summary
Time required: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (excluding break time)
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ (Beginners can do it, although the stairs and uphill sections are physically demanding!)
Hiking Points: Daeungjeon Hall, 1080 Stone Steps, Samyeonseokbul, Sorimchodang, Gwaneum Bosalipsang, Hyangungak, Mangong Pagoda, Jeonghyesa Temple, Summit
Parking: Sudeoksa Temple Parking Lot (4,000 KRW per day)
Additionally, I studied Monk Mangong from Deoksungsan Sudeoksa Temple, which I was curious about while hiking...
The Footsteps of Monk Mangong (Connected to Hiking Deoksungsan Mountain)
Monk Mangong (1871-1946) is a great teacher representing modern Korean Buddhism and a figure who revived Seon Buddhism centered on Jeonghyesa Temple on Deoksungsan Mountain.
You can see the monk's footsteps in various places during the hike.
1. Gwaneum Bosalipsang
A Buddha statue said to have been carved directly from a rock by Monk Mangong.
It can be found while climbing the 1080 stone steps and conveys compassion and comfort to those walking the difficult road.
2. Mangong Pagoda
A pagoda enshrining the relics of Monk Mangong, located above Jeonghyesa Temple. Worshippers constantly visit and commemorate the monk's spirit.
3. Jeonghyesa Temple
The place where Monk Mangong practiced asceticism throughout his life. Monks who continue the monk's tradition of practice still reside here, making it an iconic place for hiking Deoksungsan Mountain.
Hiking Deoksungsan Mountain is not just a simple hike, but also a way to follow the life and teachings of Monk Mangong.
It was difficult to climb the stone steps, but it was not boring because there were pavilions and Buddha statues to see while climbing.
It was such a great day to eat sandwiches and gimbap while enjoying the scenery from 500mm above the summit~!
Recommend the next mountain to go to ????
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