Daedunsan 879m

Why it is one of the 100 famous mountains

Selected for its outstanding landscape where strange rocks along rocky ridges extending in all directions blend with lush forest trees, centered around the summit Macheondae Peak, and its designation as a provincial park (1980). The rocky ridge stretching from Macheondae Peak to Nakjodae Peak and its sunset views are remarkable, and it features Imgeumbawi Rock, Janggunbong Peak, Dongsimbawi Rock, and Sinseonbawi Rock. The Geumgang Gureumdari Suspension Bridge connecting Imgeumbawi Rock and Ipseokdae, along with Taegosa Temple, is famous.

About Daedunsan

Daedunsan is located across Unju-myeon in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, and Beolgok-myeon in Nonsan-si and Jinsan-myeon in Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. Both Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do have designated this single mountain as a provincial park. Centered around its highest peak, Macheondae Peak, striking rocks and bizarre peaks proudly stand in line, and its sweeping mountain terrain viewed from afar is truly worthy of the name 'Geumgang of Honam.'

With two distinct faces to the north and south, Daedunsan also features contrasting hiking trails on either side. The Wanju (southern) side forms a forest of stone spires that resemble brandished spears, naturally inspiring awe in onlookers. Famous attractions of Daedunsan such as the cable car and the Geumgang Gureumdari Suspension Bridge are located here, drawing many tourists.

On the other hand, the Nonsan (northern) side features deep forests with ravines, boasting richer water flow and more magnificent waterfalls than the Wanju side. Gunji Valley's 1st Waterfall, Hwarang Falls, and Geumgang Falls make it the premier summer retreat, so cool that one can hardly stand before them for even 10 minutes.

* Highlights: Panoramic views from the summit of Macheondae Peak, autumn firefly festival, sunset scenery at Nakjodae Peak

* Best Time to Visit: April–October / Spring, Summer, Autumn

Meaning 'mountain of large wilderness,' Daedunsan is a provincial park spanning both Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do provinces. Uniquely, Daedunsan has two faces.

Bordered by the main ridge, the southern side toward Wanju-gun is a rugged rock face, while the northern side toward Geumsan-gun and Nonsan-si has the gentle, serene face of a country matriarch. The southern Jeonbuk section is charming and stylish with bizarre rock peaks soaring like a forest on steep slopes, whereas the northern Chungnam section appears dignified with its dense, lush forests.

Its exceptional scenery has also earned it the nickname 'Sogeumgang' (Little Geumgang), and seen from afar, the array of cliff faces resembles an unfolding folding screen. Though not extremely tall, Daedunsan radiates out toward Nonsan-si and Geumsan-gun in Chungnam and Wanju-gun in Jeonbuk starting from its highest peak, Macheondae Peak. The mountain is almost entirely composed of rocks such as Imgeumbawi Rock, Janggunbong Peak, Dongsimbawi Rock, and Sinseonbawi Rock. Among these, the Geumgang Gureumdari Suspension Bridge—spanning 50m in length, 50cm in width, and suspended 70m high between Imgeumbawi Rock and Ipseokdae—along with the Samseon Gureumdari Suspension Bridge, serves as the signature symbol of Daedunsan.

Public transport

The main hub is Daejeon. Frequent buses bound for Daedunsan also operate from Geumsan, Jeonju, and Nonsan.

> Daejeon → Daedunsan: 6 times daily

> Jeonju → Daedunsan: 8 times daily

> Nonsan → Daedunsan: Frequent service

> Geumsan -> Daedunsan: 5 times daily