I did my second Unaksan hike, this time on the east side of the mountain. There was a cool suspension bridge, a gorgeous, imposing mountain range, a temple with friendly dogs, and a beautiful waterfall. I then drove to a few sections of the Hantangang Geopark to visit the ‘Y’ bridge and Jaein Waterfall.

I had so much fun the first time I went to Unaksan (about a year before). I decided to return. I’d seen some impressive views online, plus there was a suspension bridge to cross! The drive was longer than anticipated due to commuting traffic but I got to the car park (1,000 won) at about 9:10. I changed into my boots and set off.

Unaksan Chulleong Bridge (운악산 출렁다리)

You go out the car park then go up a road marked Hyeongdeungsa Temple (현등사). You’ll go past lots or restaurants until you hit the trail entrance, then a temple gate. I took a set of wooden stairs on the right which goes through forest and up to the norther side of the Unaksan Chulleong Bridge (운악산 출렁다리).

NOTE: I went right at the wooden stairs because I wanted to hike anti-clockwise around the loop not realising the suspension bridge actually links the two sides of the trail. It’d be best just to go straight on past these stairs on your right, and instead go on to the bridge stairs further up on the left; climb those stairs, go across the bridge to north side, then go left and continue the anti-clockwise loop!

The suspension bridge was shrouded in morning fog. I went halfway across since I was intending to continue along the way I’d been going.

Eyebrow rock

Soon after Cheolleong Bridge is Eyebrow Rock, a rock that sits atop another. There a plaque describing the legend behind it. The trail starts to get rockier and eventually start coming across cables and rungs in the rocks. I saw a work crew building a set of stairs, while I took the rope off to the side.

Byeongpung Rock

Eventually you start getting clearer views back and forward through the trees. I could see an impressive range of rocks coming up so that was where I wanted my lunch! I sat at the top of a steep set of stairs, a great viewing point. I knew the trail went beyond those rocks and couldn’t work out how that was possible!

After food, I descended then stopped again at a viewing deck with a plaque about an Indian monk trying and failing to pass the rocks ahead of me; great omen!

I continued down and got to the base of the mountain range. The trail was hidden and involved a few cables, side traverses and stairs, actually not too technical at all. In places where there were steps, you could see where the original trail had merely been a few strategically placed rungs and cables. Those might have been fun routes, but I was more than happy to take the steps!

Mangyeongdae Viewpoint

Eventually you get to another viewpoint called Manyeongdae (만경대). I took some video and enjoyed the views. Then is was upwards via some green steps (old way was a ladder), then on to the peak for a quick photo.

Hyeondeungsa Temple (현등사)

I continued on my anti-clockwise trek and down through forest until a little turning into a valley trail. This was a little challenging because it was a little damp and steep. I broke out my hiking pole and made my way down. In one place, my foot went completely through one of the rectangular rungs. Fortunately, there was rock right below it so it just went past my ankle; had I fallen over, I might have snapped a shin… Note: don’t step on the rungs side-on: make sure your foot is over the end of the rung where there’s no chance of your foot going through. A bit later on, I slipped on a mossy, wet bit of rock and went fully down on my left side. I think my phone (in my left pocket) got away without damage… Later I saw an elephant shaped rock, so not all bad.

Hyeondeungsa Temple lies left on the trail. It’s quite large, and of course, peaceful relaxing. I wandered around a little, past a pair of extremely relaxed dogs who paid me zero attention. I went to a bench under a tree to have my second set of sandwiches. At the sound of me opening my lunchbox, the two dogs sprung into action and basically charged at me! I was too startled to react! They halted right in front of me and looked at my food. They were friendly looking and completely silent, just sitting and staring! I ate my sandwich and sain, in Korean, “no”. I saved a few crusts and took them a bit away from me and put them on the ground. One dog grabbed one and tried to get the other before his friend, so I managed to make sure the other dog got the second crust.

I walked on out and down the concrete road and along the stream. I passed a few lovely waterfall sections and came across Muupokpo waterfall. It was like the perfect representation of an idyllic waterfall. To get to it, I had to use a bit of rope on the side of the valley, then walk up a little bit. It would be a great place to sit and have a picnic and a dip.

I continued down and went under the chulleong bridge. I walked to my left and found the steps up and ended up back on the north side of the bridge (from this morning)! All the fog had gone and there were clear views all around. This time I walked fully to the southern side of the bridge then down a long set of wooden stairs to the road.

It wasn’t far to the car park, where I got out of my boots then washed myself down in the toilets and changed into a clean t-shirt.

Y Chulleong Bridge (한탄강Y자출렁다리)

I drove about forty minutes north west to a section of the Hantangang Geo-park that I’d visited the year before. This time I went straight to the ‘Y’ shaped suspension bridge that I didn’t have time to visit last time. The car park was full so had to use the roadside (like everyone else), then went to the ticket booth. I was given a ticket but I didn’t have to pay; the woman said “Friday is free”. This was a Monday, so didn’t understand! I may have misheard…

The bridge was pretty cool though. I walked on all three sections and the views of the river below were great. I didn’t stay long as I needed to get to my final stop and I’d just discovered it was a ten-minute drive, but a thirty-minute drive! Oops.

Jaein waterfall

The Jaein waterfall is part of the Hantangang Geo-park. It closes at 6 pm hence my hurry to get there, but I arrived just before 5. There’s a shuttlebus that takes you to the falls from the parking lot but that finishes at 4:30. It’s less than 2 km though and was a very pleasant walk through park and along a very ancient stretch of deep green covered valley and river. There are signs explaining the formation of the area and also warning you to never think about going into the river; there is apparently a danger of unexploded landmines from the Korean war and these sometimes get dislodged and move down stream. Not that you can easily get to the river from high up on the side of the valley, but a sobering reminder.

Jaein waterfall is very impressive. It was cut very deep into the surrounding rock a formed a deep gorge and pool. The colour is lovely too. It’s not possible to go to the falls but there is a trail that goes down to the riverside. That is a guided tour though as you need hardhats for safety and I’d missed the last one of the day. Instead I walked to the viewing deck to marvel at it. A path goes behind the waterfall where you can cross over the source of the falls; it’s surprisingly narrow and small considering what is on the other side!

On the other side of the stream I walked back towards to falls and crossed over ‘Rocking Bridge’ which crosses the gorge opposite the falls. Another spectacular angle.

This seems like a nice park to spend a long afternoon with a picnic. I’ll come back with Romana one day. The whole Hantangang Geo-park area has lots of interesting things to see and experience.

The drive home was uneventful and after returning my SOCAR, I grabbed a chicken burger from Mom’s Touch (first ever), then took it home to eat. A great day out.

Places I visited on this trip. Click the ‘door’ icon on the left to see a list: