Wolchulsan National Park

Wolchulsan rises abruptly out of flat rice plain to 809 metres, which is why it looks far bigger than it is - a wall of broken granite spires and slabs with nothing around it, designated the country's smallest national park in 1988. The classic route goes up from Cheonhwangsa through the Baram-golcheong gully, a steep cleft of steps and cable, and crosses the Gureumdari, a steel suspension bridge fifty-two metres long slung across a gap a hundred and twenty metres above the ravine - one of the higher walkway bridges in the country and the reason many people come. Beyond it the trail climbs rock to Cheonhwangbong, the summit, then descends the long way to Dogapsa on the far side, a temple whose Haetalmun gate is National Treasure No. 50, with a rock-carved seated Buddha 8.6 metres high, National Treasure No. 144, near the Yongamsa site. The full traverse is a serious day. Sunrise light on the granite is the local photograph.

The landscape

• The cloud bridge - the steel span high over the ravine.
• The granite pinnacles - spires rising straight from the plain.
• The gully climb - steps and cable up Baram-golcheong.
• Dogapsa - the temple and stone pagoda on the far side.

When to go

April to June and October. The traverse takes six hours or more - start early. Winter ice closes the cable sections.

Practical notes

This is steep, exposed rock with cables and long stair sections - among the harder national park routes for its size. The bridge closes in high wind. Park fee applies.

Nearby

Yeongam town and its pottery museum are below; Mokpo and Haenam are west and south.

Key facts