Deogyusan National Park (덕유산국립공원), at the very heart of South Korea, is a very special place. This park is home to the 4th highest mountain in the country, as well as a wealth of plants and animals. It’s far from just about everywhere, but still manages to be one of Korea’s most popular mountains. It’s well-known for sweeping vistas and biodiversity. Hikers love Deogyusan’s long ridgeline at the heart of the southern Baekdudaegan mountain range.
In my mind’s eye, it’s always winter in Deogyusan National Park. My first visit was in December 2015; part of my original mountain mission year. It was a postcard-worthy winter wonderland, with frosted trees, frozen streams and a thick blanket of sparkling white snow. I sort of wanted to preserve my experience of the park just like that: a little snow globe memory.
But I was curious: what was this park like in other seasons? I had a chance to find out what it was like in autumn when my 120 summits mountain mission took me there in the fall of 2018. I explored a peak in a part of the park I hadn’t previously seen.
I’m still wondering: what is this vast, rugged park like in other seasons?
Delightful Deogyusan adventures
Tips and tricks for enjoying Deogyusan National Park
When to go
You can hike in Deogyusan National Park almost year-round. There are two annual closure periods that affects many of Korea’s big mountains. The fall fire prevention closure usually takes place from mid-November to mid-December. This is followed by a spring closure, typically from early March to mid-May. Closures protect the ecosystem of the park during sensitive times and hikers from possibly dangerous conditions. But the closures typically only affect peaks and ridges: some trails might still be accessible. Check the official Korea National Park Service website for more information, and check Naver Maps before you go: trails marked in red indicate closures.
The remoteness of the park and it’s long ridge mean that you have the chance to experience a nice dose of tranquility in the park. But, be warned: this park is popular with hikers, year-round – particularly the peak! A cable car transports tourists up to the top from a ski resort below.
To make the most of your Deogyusan experience, I would highly recommend an early start here! Fast hikers and runners could enjoy a summit sunrise and beat the crowds arriving via the cable car. The ridges here are long, so avid adventurers have lots of options – particularly with a pre-dawn start!
Where to stay
Deogyusan is one of the few national parks in Korea with mountain shelters, so you’ve got a chance to really maximize your time in this park! If you are interested in staying at one of the park’s two shelters, remember to make a reservation in advance! Reservations are taken on the 1st and 15th of each month. Have a look at the information provided to familiarize yourself with the reservation rules and process, or ask a Korean friend for help!
Deogyusan’s main entrance hosts several simple, Korean-style accommodations along with one motel. If you can get here, it’s not a bad place to be based, as there are also restaurants and convenience stores where you can meet your fuel and hydration needs.
The nearest towns, Muju and Geochang, both offer accommodation options – but are a little far from the park. Muju is arguably the more popular option, but you’ll still need to take a bus or a taxi to the park from either.
Day-hikes are a little tougher to accomplish in Deogyusan National Park, simply because it’s so far from major urban centers. Tough, but definitely not impossible for the fleet of foot!
Hiking & Running
Hiking and running options are covered in more detail in the articles above, so what follows are just some general recommendations.
With so much trail on offer, it’d be a shame not to take in some of the ridge! Thanks to the shelters within the park, multi-day explorations are an option in Deogyusan National Park.
Most hikers will want to summit the main peak, Hyeongjeokbong. This rocky summit is the 4th highest in Korea (or 12th, if you count all of Jirisan’s subsidiary peaks), and offers amazing views of other nearby Baekdudaegan mountains. It can be accessed by cable car from the ski resort on the west side, but it’s more rewarding to climb up through the lovely forests of the east. If this is your first stop, try not to be put off by the hordes: the crowd will thin out (and perhaps disappear entirely) as you trek south.
It’s possible to make a couple of medium-sized loops starting and ending at the main entrance. But it is also possible to head off down the ridge for an epic point-to-point adventure.
Tourists, pilgrims and some hikers head to Jeoksangsan (Hyangrobong) for a quick climb.
Not sure exactly what you want to do? Head over to the park and see where the trails lead you. Discover Deogyusan National Park!
Happy hiking!