Gyeryongsan National Park (계룡산 국립공원)

One-day
Experience
Well-being
Solo
Karen2024.08.04
review Images
review Images
review Images
review Images
  • Date of Visit2023.11.21
    Time Spent15 hours
  • AreaChungcheongnam-do
    ExpensesKRW(₩) 50,000
Closed
Hours
Things to Prepare

Clothes according to the season, water, snacks.

Transportation

BUS, TRAIN, WALK

About your trip

I really enjoy hiking, and gladly Korea is a very friendly hiking country. Access to the mountain is usually easy and all the courses are properly marked. So, if you like hiking solo or with friends don't miss the chance to visit the National Parks of Korea. The one in Daejeon is Gyeryeonsan National Park, the view is amazing and it is a place you can go as a 1-day trip if your are based in Seoul. There are trains from Seoul to Daejeon, from 5:03 am, so you can choose anytime. In my case, I took Mugunghwa (무궁화) train at 6:25am, since it's cheaper (10 600), KTX is around 23 700won. After arriving, I went to eat kalguksu(칼국수) near the station, in a popular place called 김화칼국수, it was 6000, it was affordable and delicious, a good meal before hiking. You will have time to digest too, because you have to take a bus to the National Park entrance. I took the bus number 107, that took aprox 1h 20m, from 대전역네거리 to Donghak Temple (동학사). After that you will walk past restaurants, convinience stores as 7/11, and some local stores to get to the starting point. It will be easy to find the way, since there are always many people going hiking, and also everything is well marked. The hiking time was around 3 hours in total, it is beginner friendly. You will have a nice time going to the peak, the view is really beautiful. The route I took was from Donghak Temple parking lot(동학사 주차장) to Gwaneumbong(the main peak,관음봉), and finish at the starting point, from there you can walk to the 7/11 near there, and wait for the bus that will take you back to the city. Before going back to Seoul, go to Daejeon Jungang Market, and don't miss the chance to visit the most famous bakery in Korea, that has locations only in Daejeon, Sungsimdang(성심당). Both are close to each other, and close the to train station as well. I took the Mugunghwa(무궁화)train at Daejeon station around 7 pm, and I was back In Seoul by 9:10pm. It is easy to access and a great mountain for hiking enthusiasts, you can go solo or with friends, for sure you won't regret it.

TIP

- Living from Seoul as early as possible would give you time to do a slow hike and explore the city of Daejeon. - Try to buy your train tickets at least 1 day before, so you are sure you get an early train. - Buy a kimbap at a local store before start your hike, it is nice to eat at the peak while enjoying an amazing view. -At the Traditional market, I would recommend try the fried chicken(닭강정) and japche hotteok(잡체 호떡). -Dont forget to take plenty of water to keep you hydrate during your hike.

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