Exploring the Scenic Beauty of Ganwoljae and Ganwolsan

Among the stunning landscapes of the Yeongnam Alps, Ganwoljae stands out as one of the most beautiful spots.
Today, I would like to share my hiking experience on the shortest route to Ganwoljae and Ganwolsan, where the freshness of spring and the golden reeds of autumn coexist.
This trail is particularly meaningful as it is accessible for beginners who wish to start hiking.
Ganwolsan is one of the seven peaks of the Yeongnam Alps, with Ganwoljae located at its center. This place transforms with the seasons, showcasing lush greenery in summer and stunning silver reeds in autumn.
Visiting this beautiful landscape, I understood why so many people come here every year.
Let’s dive into my hiking experience on the shortest route to Ganwoljae and Ganwolsan. We chose the Deer Farm course, known for its accessibility and comfort.
At the entrance of the Deer Farm, there is a public parking lot, which made it easy for us to park. The free parking was also a pleasant surprise.
However, it can get quite crowded on weekends and holidays due to many hikers. I recommend arriving early in the morning to secure a parking spot.
There is a well-maintained restroom near the parking lot, which is convenient before starting the hike. There are no restrooms on the trail until the Ganwoljae rest area, so it's best to use the facilities here.
Before hiking, we made sure to do some light stretching to warm up.
The key part of the hiking experience is the forest road starting from the Deer Farm. This road is designed for vehicle traffic, so it has a gentle slope and is relatively wide.
As a result, it felt more like a forest stroll than a rigorous hike, which was quite relaxing.
The distance from the Deer Farm to Ganwoljae is about 12 km round trip, which is longer than expected. However, the gentle slope allowed beginners to walk comfortably while chatting.
As we walked, we enjoyed the surrounding scenery and lost track of time as we headed towards the summit.
While the well-maintained path can seem a bit repetitive, the lush forest views and occasional vistas added to the enjoyment.
Since it’s a road for vehicles, I recommend wearing comfortable sneakers or hiking boots.
When we finally reached the open area with the reed fields, the breathtaking view was hard to put into words.
The area around the rest area is where most of the photos were taken. The wooden benches and spacious resting area provided a perfect spot to take a break.
The Ganwoljae rest area offers simple snacks for purchase, including rice and instant noodles, which are popular among hikers.
Eating hot noodles while feeling the cool breeze on the mountain top is truly a delightful experience.
On the day we visited, the morning was cloudy, but the weather cleared up in the afternoon.
Though it was a bit chilly due to the strong wind, we enjoyed a warm lunch in the indoor eating area.
After filling our stomachs, we headed towards the summit, the true highlight of Ganwolsan.
The path from Ganwoljae to the summit felt different from the earlier forest road, with a slight incline and rocky terrain, giving a more authentic hiking experience.
As we ascended, the views below opened up beautifully.
The scenery of Ganwoljae from above was stunning, resembling a watercolor painting.
Upon reaching the summit and taking a photo, I felt a great sense of achievement.
This route is suitable for beginners, as long as they can manage the short challenging sections.
The descent was also easy on the knees as we retraced our steps on the gentle path.
Ganwoljae and Ganwolsan are excellent spots for a light family outing or as an introduction to hiking.
The lush green forest in spring is calming just to look at.
It took us about 5 hours to hike from the Deer Farm to the summit and back, including ample breaks for rest and meals, making it a manageable course.
I look forward to returning in autumn to see the golden reeds in person.
If you haven't visited yet, I recommend taking a trip this weekend. You'll find comfort in nature, warm noodles, and unforgettable scenery waiting for you.
I hope you have a wonderful outing in the Yeongnam Alps, taking care of your health and creating precious memories.

Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224285035449
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