Along Hoeryong stream and Temple to Songchu valley, Bukhansan, Seoul 회룡천 송추계곡

I walked west along the back of Bukhansan from Hoeryong Station (회룡역 near Uijeongbu), along a nice set of streams, past Hoeryongsa temple, found a ‘hidden’ waterfall, hiked up and along a wooden walkway, then along more streams in Songchu valley (계곡). A pleasant hike if you don’t always want to ‘peak’!

Getting from the station to the stream was easy, and the trail is very easy to follow. The weather was cloudy and a bit humid but totally bearable. There was plenty of water running which always makes walking along streams much more pleasant! The trail has a few interesting buildings like hut at the start. I don’t know why they are there; perhaps residences? one looked like some kind of wood workshop.

Just before the road ended, I came across a place called Seokgulam (석굴암), like a temple. The buildings in front are called 의정부회룡사오층석탑 in Korean on the map app, and I think it’s a pagoda and hermitage. I didn’t go inside to check it out but it looked lovely from the side of the stream.

After here, the hike went up along a narrower trail. I kept walking and for some reason took a small detour deeper into the trees. I think because there were some signs of life. I came across a waterfall at the end of mini trail which was quite odd. I imagine people come here to paddle in the water on hot days and it felt like I had found a secret water hole!

Back to the trail, and up a bit and onto a long set of metal walkways above the valley. Along here is a chance to head to Sapaesan mountain (사패산), not too far or high, but I opted to keep heading west. Next time, I’m sure!

On the other side are the Songchu waterfalls (송추폭포), but I didn’t feel like taking the short detour to get there; next time I’m sure I will. I kept on to where the trail became paved again, past another temple and a set of waterfalls near a bridge. The final section was a new-ish complex of restaurants and coffee shops. The place seemed a bit quite, either Monday or covid related?