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Sobaeksan National Park |
Introduction |
Sobaeksan National Park in South Korea is a branch of what could be called the backbone of Korea, Taebaeksan Mountain. In 1987, Sobaeksan Mountain was designated as National Park No.18. Its covers an area of 320.50 square km.
The features of Sobaeksan National Park include wild flowers and royal azaleas on Birobong Peak, and the largest yew tree community is found on the northwest slope (1,200-1,350 m above sea level) between Yeonhwabong Peak and Birobong Peak. The west of Mt. Sobaeksan is steep, and streams from Nakdonggang River flow to Jukgyaecheon River, which is often used as a hiking course. Following down from Birobong Peak along Jukgyaecheon River is Seokryun Mine and Choamsa Temple. If you proceed even further, you will get to Seokcheonpokpo Falls and Seonghyeolsa Temple. Many trout live in this valley. A 4-km flat path to the southwest of Birobong Peak leads to Yeonhwabong Peak. There is Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) on the way to the second Yeonhwabong Peak, and a ridge called Jukryeong is on the south side of the mountain. To the east of the second Yeonhwabong Peak, there is Huibangsa Temple and Birosa Temple, both built during the time of the Silla Kingdom. Huibangpokpo Falls is considered the most beautiful waterfall of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and is at the entrance of Huibangsa Temple. Featuring beautiful valleys and ridgelines, Sobaeksan National Park is known for its abundant wildlife and breathtaking nature. |
Telephone |
+82-54-638-6196 |
Mountain Not Access Period |
Seasonal Forest Fire Warning Spring: March 1 – April 30, 2014 Fall: November 15 – December 15, 2014 ※ As park access may be restricted due to local weather conditions or fire hazards, please refer to the park’s website to confirm the park is open. |
Restricted Mountain Areas |
* Yeonhwabong Peak 연화봉 – Yeonhwa-dong Three-way intersection (3.6 km) * Choamsa Temple 초암사 – Gungmangbong Peak 국망봉 (4.0 km) * Gungmangbong Peak 국망봉 – Nujeunmogi 늦은목이 (25.0 km) * Birobong Peak 비로봉 – Gungmangbong Peak 국망봉 (3.1 km) * Jeomma 점마 – Hajwaseok 하좌석 (4.1 km) * Danggol 당골 – Yuseoksa Temple 유석사 (3.2 km) * Namdae Branch School – Neujeunmaegijae Pass 늦은맥이 (3.18 km) * Myojeongnyeong 묘적령 – Jungnyeong 죽령 (8.6 km) * Euljeon 을전 – Neujeunmaegijae Pass 늦은맥이 (4.5 km) |
Areas Open to the Public |
* Cheondong 천동 – Cheondong Junction 천동삼거리 * Eouigok 어의곡 – Eouigok Junction 어의곡삼거리 * Jungnyeong 죽령 – Yeonhwabong Peak 연화봉 * Beodeulbat Field 버들밭 – Soya 소야 * Samga 삼가 – Birobong Peak 비로봉 * Huibang Parking Lot 희방주차장 – Birobong Peak 비로봉 * Jujeonggol 주정골 – Jungnyeong 죽령 * Baejeom 배점 – Choamsa Temple 초암사 * Baejeom(Choamsa Temple) 배점(초암사) – Samga(Birosa Temple) 삼가(비로사) |
Hiking Course |
* Juknyeong Course (2 hrs 40 min / 7 km) Juknyeong Information Center 죽령탐방지원센터 – Yeonhwabong Second Peak 제2 연화봉 – Yeonhwabong Peak 연화봉 (Observatory 천문대)* Cheondong Eouigok Course 천동어의곡코스 (4 hrs 40 min / 11.6 km) Cheondong Information Center 천동탐방지원센터 – Cheondong Rest Area 천동쉼터 – Cheongdong Gallimgil 천동갈림길 – Birobong Peak 비로봉 – Eouigok Gallimgil 어의곡갈림길 – Eouigok Information Center 어의곡탐방지원센터 * Cheondong Valley Course 천동계곡코스 (2 hrs 40 min / 6.8 km) * Eouigok Course 천동계곡코스 (2 hrs 10 min / 5.1 km) * Huibang Course 희방사코스 (4 km) * Samga Eouigok Course 삼가어의곡코스 (10.9 km) * Choam Course 초암코스 (6.7 km) * East Samga Course 삼가동코스 (5.6 km) * Samgacheon Course 삼가천동코스 (10.8 km) |
Natural Preservation Areas (closed to public) |
* Yeonhwabong Peak – Birobong Peak, Gukmangbong Peak (Hiking Path Excluded): until 2026 * Dosolbong Peak (Hiking Path Excluded): until 2028 * Birobong Peak Yew Habitat: until 2026 * Yeonghwabong Peak No. 1: until 2026 |
Operating Hours |
2 hrs before sunrise-2 hrs after sunset |
Admission Fees |
Free
[Namcheon Campsite] Off season: Adults 1,600 won / Students 1,200 won / Children 800 won |
Facility Utilization Fees |
* Huibangsa Temple (+82-54-638-2400) Individual – Adults: 2,000 won / Youth: 1,000 won / Children: 600 won Group – Adults: 2,000 won / Youth: 1,000 won / Children: 600 won* Buseoksa Temple Individual – Adults: 1,200 won / Youth: 1,000 won / Children: 800 won Group – Adults: 1,000 won / Youth: 800 won / Children: 500 won |
Parking Fees |
[S] 2,000 won / [M] 4,000-5,000 won / [L] 6,000-7,500 won ※ Regular shuttle buses are free (Not including monthly parking) |
Available Facilities |
* National Park Offices / Ranger Stations Sobaeksan National Park Office Sobaeksan National Park Northern Office Buseok Ranger Station*Information Centers Huibang Information Center Samga Information Center Juknyeong Information Center Cheondong Information Center Eouigok Information Center Choam Watch Area Namcheon Watch Area *Rest Areas *Parking Lots *Campsite |
Baby Stroller Rentals |
Not available |
Directions |
Mt. Sobaeksan National Park spreads from Gyeongsangbuk-do to Chuncheongbuk-do. You can enter the park through Hyebangsa, Choam Juggyegugok, Samga, Buseok in the Gyeongsangbuk-do area, and Cheongdong, Jungnyeong, Oeuigok in the Chungcheongbuk-do area.
1.By train (http://www.korail.com/) 2. Intercity Bus Terminal |