Baegunsan (Pocheon) 903m
Border between Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do, Caramel Pass
Moderate Hard Valleys Autumn foliage
- Location
- Idong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do / Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
- Courses
- 6 · 1 h 50 min – 9 h
- Distance
- 3 km – 12.1 km
- Facilities
- Toilets 9 · Parking 7
- Managed by
- Pocheon City Hall · 031-538-2114
Trail map
Why it is one of the 100 famous mountains
Selected for its scenic valley beauty and unique landscapes such as valley cliffs, forming a cluster with high peaks like Gwangdeoksan, Gungmangbong, and Bakdalbong. Baegundong Valley and Heungnyongsa Temple, said to have been founded by Monk Doseon at the end of the Silla period, are famous.
About Baegunsan (Pocheon)
A mountain wearing white clouds upon its head, Baegunsan is a mountain whose very name excites the heart.
There are many mountains named Baegunsan in Korea. Starting with Baegunsan in Gwangyang and Baegunsan in Hamyang, there are 23 mountains named Baegunsan in South Korea alone. Among them, Baegunsan in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, is celebrated for its scenic natural beauty.
To the southeast, its ridgeline connects to Hwaaksan, the highest peak in Gyeonggi-do, and to the north, it faces Gwangdeoksan across Gwangdeokgogae Pass (also known as Caramel Pass). Baegun Valley boasts valley scenery worthy of being counted among the Eight Scenic Views of Yeongpyeong, and its autumn foliage is spectacular. Hikers can also stop by Ildong Hot Springs Town to enjoy a hot spring bath.
Straddling the border between Idong-myeon, Pocheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do and Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, Baegunsan attracts many casual hikers thanks to its gentle terrain and a trail starting at Gwangdeokgogae Pass (660m above sea level). It is also an ideal destination for weekend family hikes.
Gwangdeokgogae Pass is also called 'Caramel Pass,' for which two theories exist. The first is that during the Korean War when the road was unpaved, the division commander in charge of this area gave caramel to the driver to ward off drowsiness whenever ascending Gwangdeokgogae Pass.
The second theory is that the winding shape of Gwangdeokgogae Pass resembled a camel's hump, leading 'Camel' to evolve into 'Caramel'.
Stretching 4km west below the summit of Baegunsan, Baegun Valley boasts abundant water and outstanding valley scenery. Broad, flat rocks are scattered throughout the valley, providing great spots for hikers to sit and rest anywhere.
Courses recommended by the Korea Forest Service
- Baegundong → Valley Intersection → Heungnyongbong Peak → Domachibong Peak → Summit → Ridge Junction → Valley Intersection → Heungnyongsa Temple Baegundong 4 h 30 min
- Baegundong → Baegun Valley → Baegunsan → North Ridge → Gwangdeokgogae Pass 3 h
Public transport
The starting point is Seoul.
Take a bus bound for Sachang-ri via Idong and get off at Gwangdeokgogae Pass. You must notify the driver in advance.
- Seoul → Sachang-ri: 11 departures daily
Food, lodging & more (Korea Forest Service data, may change)
● Accommodation and Other Info
There are many guesthouses (minbak) in Baegundong, where Baegun Valley is located.
For guesthouse inquiries, contact Ildong Nonghyup Idong Branch ☎031-532-4411
● Inquiries
Pocheon City Hall Culture and Public Information Division Tourism Desk ☎031-538-2068
Times and difficulty are estimates from GPS tracks. Before you go, check the weather, sunset time and any trail closures. Course tracks recorded: 2022-01-06
Text on this page was translated automatically from Korean public data. Place names follow the Revised Romanization; signs on the trail are in Korean.
Data: Korea Forest Service and Korea Hiking & Trekking Support Center (Public Data Portal). Course times and difficulty are estimates from GPS tracks (2022).