In Ilgwangsan Mountain, there are no steep parts, so you can walk easily. Then, there’s a well-designed trekking trail, Ilgwangsan Mountain Theme Trail, and a path for mountain bikes. Cars are not allowed to access Ilgwangsan Theme Trail, so you can walk comfortably. It’s best to walk on autumn days when the beautiful and colorful leaves are everywhere. Take light steps, and enjoy the pleasant crunching sound as you walk along this gravel road.
Ilgwang Theme Forest Trail starts with a big sign informing that you’re at the entrance to the theme forest trail. It connects to Baegunsan Mountain as a trekking forest path, which takes more than 7 hr to walk. However, you don’t have to walk the whole thing; you can explore part of it. This time, let’s walk to Goksujeong Pavilion, where you can reach without much difficulty.
A pavilion called Manhwajeong serves as a management office. Beyond this, a wide and straight trail stretches. The gravels underneath make pleasant crunching sounds. Various plants form colonies on both sides of your way, and you’ll have fun seeing different plants throughout your walk
You’ll come to the Dolsaem Sports Park, which is also called “Heotdulheotdul Madang,” with its various sports equipment. After the park, you can see the “Taegyoe Forest (forest for prenatal care)” signboard. The clear and clean forest air will deliver healthy energy to everyone, but particularly to the unborn baby. In the middle of the forest , there’s a wide pavilion and benches around where you can take a seat to feel the vitality of the forest.
Walking along the gravel path, you’ll see a small pond, “Ilgwangsaem Spring,” and a signboard that indicates this place was once used for the mountain bike race course during the 2002 Busan Asian Games. The surrounding scenery, which slowly changes along the forest trail, is charming. It has the benefits of both a mountain and a park, and sometimes, it feels like a bicycle stadium when you see the mountain bikes zooming past you. This means your walk will never be boring! Just be careful about the bikes when they pass by.
There are many places to take a break in the middle, which is one of the advantages of Ilgwangsan Theme Trail. Head up to Moyeonjeong Pavilion on the hillside of the trail. Surrounded by refreshing green trees, the well is an ideal place for enjoying the forest path. The continued beautiful forest trail adds a refreshing feeling to the walk.
Goksujeong Pavilion was once located in a valley through which the water twisted. Now, it’s more like a small pond, and the water surface reflects the old pavilion. Listen to the sounds of birds and water while enjoying the beautiful scenery. You will feel your distracting thoughts disappear as the forest seems to start telling you a story.
Ilgwangsan Theme Trail is not a path for fast walking to conquest the peak, but a way of enjoying the walk while exploring the value of slowness. As you take slow steps, you will be greeted by the unknown trees, flowers, and grass, away from the busy city.
Overview
Address
2, Manhwa-ri, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Hours
Always
Service Fees
Free
Traffic Information
Get off Bus 183, 188, 36, 187, or Gijang-gun 11 at Ijin Appartment and walk by foot
Parking: Ilgwangsan Theme Forest Road Parking Lot
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