Juwangsan National Park

Juwangsan, designated in 1976 as the twelfth national park and about 107 square kilometres, is one of the more distinctive of Korea's mountain parks - the rock is volcanic tuff and it has weathered into spires, walls and narrow slots rather than the granite domes of the rest of the country. The main walk goes up the Jubang valley from Daejeonsa temple: an easy path that narrows until the cliffs close to a few metres apart, passing through cut passages and over bridges to three waterfalls, Jeil, Jeicheon and Jesam, the middle one dropping between vertical walls into a pool. It takes two to three hours return and is manageable for most people, which makes it one of the more accessible good walks in the country. Harder routes climb to Gamebong and the spires above. Jusanji, a small reservoir nearby with willows standing in the water, is famous for dawn mist and was used in a well-known film; it is a short drive and a separate stop.

What you'll find

• The slot gorge - cliffs closing to a few metres apart.
• The three waterfalls - Jeil, Jeicheon and Jesam up the valley.
• The tuff spires - volcanic rock towers above the temple.
• Jusanji - the willow reservoir nearby, best at dawn.

When to go

May to June and October; autumn colour in the gorge is the peak season. Jusanji wants an early start for mist on the water.

Good to know

The main valley walk is easy but busy in autumn. Jusanji is a separate drive and the mist is not guaranteed. Park fee applies at the gate.

Nearby

Jusanji is a short drive; Andong and its hahoe village are west, Yeongdeok and the coast east.

Key facts