Deogyusan National Park

Deogyusan reaches 1,614 metres at Hyangjeokbong, the fourth-highest peak in South Korea and the third on the mainland, and the ridge running south from it toward Namdeogyusan is long, open and high - which makes it one of the best winter mountains in the country. In January and February rime ice coats the stunted trees and shrubs along the top in white, and because a gondola from the Muju ski resort lifts visitors to Seolcheonbong at 1,520 metres, the summit ridge is reachable in twenty minutes by anyone, which is unusual for Korean high ground and explains the winter crowds. From the gondola top station Hyangjeokbong is a further twenty-minute walk. In late spring the same ridge carries royal azalea. The Gucheondong valley on the eastern side is a long walk past thirty-three named scenic points, waterfalls and Baengnyeonsa temple, and is the better option in summer. The park, the tenth in the country, was designated in 1975, and some 1,067 plant species are recorded in it.

Highlights

• The rime ice - white-coated trees along the winter ridge.
• The gondola - the lift from the ski resort to 1,520 metres.
• Hyangjeokbong - the summit twenty minutes above the station.
• Gucheondong valley - the long walk past falls and the temple.

When to go

January and February for rime, late May to June for azalea. The gondola runs year-round but queues badly on winter weekends and stops in high wind.

What to expect

The ridge is exposed and bitterly cold in winter - the gondola makes it easy to arrive badly dressed, which is the recurring problem there. Crampons needed on snow. Gondola is charged on top of park entry.

Nearby

Muju town and the ski resort are below; Daedunsan is north-west.

Key facts