58 Section 2. Rural Korea
Sujeong-bong 수정봉
Day1 Gogiri to Maeyori
Juji-sa 주지사 A3
3km (1:20)
From Sujeong-bong, the trail descends steeply northwest for 1km, passing a helipad, before reaching the pass of Immang-chi 입망치, which is located at 580m ABSL and marked by a small mountain road. The trail from there continues north, passing another tomb before arriving at an unnamed 700m peak some 600 meters later. From there, it heads northwest for 500 meters before turning northeast and then passing another tomb. After another kilometer it meets a mountain road running over the ridge. The trail follows the road northeast, while the road to the west heads down toward the mysterious temple of Juji-sa. To get there, follow the western road, which soon becomes a path running for 250 meters down to the temple grounds, hidden in bamboo and thick forest. Like all temples, Juji-sa has an abundance of fresh water available to all visitors.
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* Yeowon-jae E3 여원재
Yeowon-jae is connected to NH24 and marked by a large totem pole, eyes bulging, that keeps watch over the Yeowon-jae pass. To the west lies the large city of Namwon 남원, about 12km away, and to the east the small town of Unbong 운봉 , only 4km away. On the northern side of the pass is the delightful communal village of Jangdong-ri 장동리. There are no formal accommodations at Yeowon-jae. If you are looking for accommodations, it is advisable to head west to Namwon or east to Unbong. About 500 meters east of the pass is a hyugeso that sells hot food and cold beverages. On the northern side of the road is the village of Jangdong-ri, which has a proud wooden jeongja, or pavilion, located under a large tree at its center. This is a great place to relax and take in the sleepy rhythms of rural Korea. You may be able to sleep in this pavilion, with the permission of the locals.
* Yeowon-am E3 여원암
Juji-sa 주지사
Yeowon-jae 여원재 A3
1km (0:30)
Back on the ridge, the trail follows the mountain road for 25 meters before heading back into the forest on the right-hand side at a point blazoned with ribbons. From there, the trail flanks the road as you descend toward Yeowon-jae Pass. Before that, the forest gives way to farmland, reaching a junction near some tombs overlooking rice fields. The trail continues north through the junction, following hiking ribbons to Yeowon-jae on NH24. About 50 meters before the pass is a small cement road heading west down to the hermitage of Yeowon-am 여 원암 .
Yeowon-am is an interesting little temple that appears to be privately- run. Its garden is lavishly adorned with all manner of Buddhist statues and figurines around a concrete lily pond. The main features are two shrines built into a large natural rock near the pond, one for the Sanshin [Mountain Spirit] and another for the Yongwang ( [Dragon King] ).
Getting There
•Yeowon-jae: Buses leaving every 15 to 20 minutes during the day from Namwon to the west and Unbong-eup 운봉읍 to the east cross Yeowon-jae on their route and will stop at the bus stop in Yeowon-jae.
Yeowon-jae 여원재
Gonam-san 고남산 A2
5.1km (2:00)
About 100 meters to the west, the trail reenters the forest on the northern side of NH24 at a point marked by a large stainless steel plaque. Heading northwest into the tree line, the trail skirts around the western side of Jangdong-ri. In front of the jeongja, located in the center of the village, is a tablet describing the origins of the village’s name. It states that the area is traditionally known to be tranquil, resembling a roe (female) deer taking a nap. For that reason, it was named Norugol (“roe town”), which is pronounced Jangdong when written in Chinese characters. Resembling the gentle traits of a roe, the people of this village are goodnatured and polite, keeping the place peaceful. And on the rear of the plaque, a poem entitled ”Jangdong-maeul People’s Spirit” reads as follows:
looking at the ridge running NW from Baekun-san 1278m © Roger