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Jirisan (mountain of old and wise people) in autumn located in South Korea is where one can see a lovely backdrop of vivid colors. The Autumn Festival in Jirisan begins after mid October. This is one National Park on your S.Korea Travels that you do not want to miss for hiking and “leaf peeping“. Jirisan National Park includes the amazing Mt. Cheonwangbong. With my trusty Lonely Planet Korea Book, let us learn more about Jirisan.
Walking our way to the trail…
“Leaf Peeping” on the hiking trail…
Beautiful pond on the trail to the peak…
Jirisan National Park is the largest National Park in South Korea and is located only 2+ hours from Geoje Island. I was lucky enough to hike Mt Cheonwangbong (1,915m) with a wonderful group of ladies.
Map of Jirisan National Park.
Our journey begins as we get our packs adjusted on our backs and we head to the hiking trail.
My Journey – Jirisan National Park
The sun was rising as I first stepped on the trail and every direction I turned, bright red, vivid orange and yellow colors pop out from the trees. I hear chanting, rippling and whistling all around me. Nature’s music is playing as I continue my journey in Jirisan.
A look through the forest and seeing boulders and colorful leaves…
Hiking along the trail…
Standing in awe at all the beautiful colors!
My journey took me to temples, pagodas, waterfalls and a mountain summit. The hiking course taken started at the Jungsalli Hiking Center and included a lunch at Jangtemok Station. Lots of one day hiking courses are available. You can experience this and more on your visit. Make sure to time your day accordingly. Since there is no hiking after dark, so start early to make it to the peak and down before the sunsets.
One of the many bridges to cross on our hike.
A view to the peak – See all the fall colors for kilometers…
If you don’t make it to the festival please take the time to seem the fall or spring colors. It is well work the trip but remember to pack a lunch and bring plenty of water.
My fight to the peak with a chance to have my photo taken…
Location – Jirisan National Park
- 320-2, Jirisan-daero, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
경상남도 산청군 시천면 지리산대로 320-2 - There are three Jirisan National Park offices and six ranger stations located in four counties.
- Good place to start is at Jungsalli Hiking Information Center
Route – Jirisan National Park
- My Favorite Route starts and ends at Jungsalli Hiking Information Center
- Jungsalli Hiking inforation Center -> Kalbawi Rock -> Yuam Falls -> Jangteomok Shelter -> Cheonwangbong Peak -> Beopgyesa Temple -> Rotary Shelter -> Kalbawi Rock -> Jungsalli Hiking Information Center.
- Good Rule of thumb to be at Mt. Cheonwangbong Peak by noon which will leave you enough time down the peak before dark.
- 13km / 8 miles, 8 hours. Moderate to Strenuous.
Tips – Jirisan National Park
- The park is closed after dark. Jirisan is open from two hours before sunrise to two hours before sunset but always subject to change. Plan your day accordingly because evening arrives quickly.
- Pets are not permitted
- Notice this is a habitat of Black Bears.
- Shelter Facilities available: Standard One Day Usage
Rotary, Seseok Shelter: Peak Season 8,000 won / Off Season 7,000 won; Chibanmok Shelter: 5,000 won - Bus Directions
From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take a bus to Jinju.
From Jinju Intercity Bus Terminal, take a bus to Daewonsa Temple (대원사) OR take a bus to Jungsan-ri (중산리). - Car Directions – The park can be accessed from Interstate 35 by car.
More of the barren hiking trail at the peak…
After the hiking walking down the road.
At treat after the hike from the restaurant.
“Leaf Peeping” the fiery reds of the trees while hiking!
More Thoughts
This 1Adventure Traveler loved my day trips to Mt. Jirisan in the Autumn.re Yes, I went hiking twice. Mr. 1AdventureTraveler had to check it out for himself and photograph, plus send a drone up to see the changing of the leaves.
Thanks to my fellow hikers who after our week long training, encouraged me to the peak and back.
Please write you comments on how you liked Jirisan and any details of your adventure. See some of my other Blogs on Great Day Trips off Geoje Island and Weekend Trips to Seoul and Japan which are close by.
For more travel locations, tips and adventures follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
*Thank you to Imagine Your Korea for the Travel Tips
Please leave me a comment: Have you been hiking in South Korea? What is your favorite mountain to hike along with it’s location.
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Wow! Thanks for sharing these photos! It is simply beautiful. Everything is so wonderful, mountains, colors of nature, I can say it will be very exciting adventure visiting this place! Thumbs up!
Thanks Avon,
So happy you enjoyed my pictures of Mt. Jirisan and my quest to conquer the mountain. Fall here is the most beautiful and surreal place to visit the mountain. The colors were vibrate and abundant. Must say one of my favorite places to hike.
Happy Travels, Stephanie (1AdventureTraveler)
Nice – I spent a month in South Korea last year but didn’t get chance to do any hiking (unless you can class walking around the city that) but wish I did. These’s something about the great outdoor that helps me de-stress and unwind from siting behind a laptop too much.
Thanks Barry!
Next time you visit S.Korea you must do some hiking. It is such a stress relief to hike and on Mt. Jirisan during the fall is a great place to see the amazing colorful leaves. The vivid colors and changing of the scenery as I reached the peak was surprising and hope was captured on the photos I shared. Walking around the city is a lot in S.K.especially if you ride the subway. 🙂 Next time there, take your hiking shoes, you’ll never forget the magic.
I don’t know much about South Korea and had never heard of Jirisan but I’m glad I have now. Visiting places in autumn is one of my favourite times with the colours and Jirisan seems to benefit from this too. Hope to see this one day.
Thanks David! South Korea has lots of mountains which means lots of great hiking. Mt. Jirisan (Mt. Cheonwangbong) is in a state park and is so amazing in the fall the colors so vibrant makes this one of my favorite places to hike. I also love fall and seek out places to visit just to see the leaves change colors.
I am considering moving to Korea for work and this looks awesome! Love the colours and the stones! Beautiful and I keep hearing amazing stuff about hiking in Korea. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Alexei!
There is so much hiking in Korea and this is one place I highly recommend during the fall season to visit. This hike took 9 hours including the summit but there are cabins and other amazing trails there for other adventures. Such amazing colors at Mt. Jirisan (Mt. Cheonwangbong). I lived in S.Korea for a while so check out my website and see the other blogs on places to visit and other hikes to do.
Hi Stephanie….This looks very cool. I would love to hike there especially with the beautiful falls colors. Good for you! Definitely pinning this for later.
Thank you Lisa! I would highly recommend a hike here during the changing of the leaves. Such a beautiful sight to see and the photos don’t do the many colors justice. It was so amazing!
What an adventure! Would love to go to S. Korea one day, must have been amazing to witness all those colours!! great photos.
Thanks Garth!
It was an amazing adventure and one I will never forget. I was able to conquer the mountain with the help of friends and witness the beautiful colorful leaves and change in foliage while I hiked. It was hard to stop and take pictures, breath, stay focused on the hike, and keep up with the others. I was able to come back with some photos but they don’t do the colorful leaves & mountainside justice. Definitely would return for another fall hike. 🙂
Ahhhhh, nature’s music, I can hear it now! Autumn is always stunning and from your photos, you were blessed with a gorgeous array of colours! Massive congratulations on your hike as well, you are inspiring me to do more walking when I next travel! Thank you for sharing your adventure 🙂
Thanks Angie! The colors were so amazing and I felt such an accomplishment finishing my hike. Staying focused and the encouragement of friends was amazing. I have never seen so many colors and how the terrain and foliage changed as I hiked higher. My husband joined me the next week on the adventure and was able to see the beauty. I highly recommend everyone to go out and have an adventure and find some of the most beautiful places to see. 🙂