Gyeryongsan National Park 계룡산국립공원

Gyeryongsan National Park stretches across Daejeon, Gongju, and Nonsan. This spectacular mountain is 845.1m above sea level and was made a national park in 1968. The origin of the word Gyeryong ('Gye' meaning 'chicken,' and 'Yong' meaning 'dragon') comes from the fact that the ridgeline looks like a dragon wearing a chicken's crest on its head. The topographical features are what make this mountain stand out and its mysterious folklore is what makes it so interesting. There are 15 summits on this mountain, of which Cheonhwangbong (845.1m) is the main. Several others include the peaks of Sambulbong, Sinseongbong, and Gwaneumbong. This mountain is famous for its many interesting sites, with its fantastic rock structures, on the west side the Yongmun Waterfall, to the east Eunseon Waterfall, and to the south Amyongchu and Sutyongchu Waterfalls.

In the spring, cherry blossoms bloom on Donghaksa Mountain trail, and during the summer the lush green of the Donghaksa Valley is very beautiful. During the fall, the maple trees reveal their crimson colored leaves around Gapsa Temple and Yongmun Waterfall. And the snowcapped peaks of Sambulbong in the winter are simply breathtaking.

Gyeryongsan is full of rare animals and plants, beautiful waterfalls and a rich history with mysterious legends and cultural treasures. To the east is Donghaksa Temple; northwest, Gapsa Temple; southwest, Sinwonsa Temple; and southeast, Yonghwasa Temple. Its valleys are full of ponds and falls that blend together perfectly with the surroundings.

2014 Seasonal Forest Fire Caution Period
March 1 – April 30, 2014 (Spring)
※ TBD by park directors based on fire weather advisories, precipitation levels, and other local conditions.

Hiking at night is prohibited (from sunset to 2 hours before sunrise).

▲ Sutonggol Course 1 (3.2km, 2hrs 30min):
Sutonggol parking lot (수통골주차장) → Sutonggol Hiking Support Center (수통골탐방안내소) → Sutong Waterfall (수통폭포) → Geumsubong Peak (금수봉)

▲ Sutonggol Course 2 (9km, 5hrs 30min):
Sutonggol Hiking Support Center (수통골탐방안내소) → Dodeokbong Peak (도덕봉) → Jatigogae Pass (자티고개) → Geumsubong Peak (금수봉) → Bingyesan Mountain (빈계산) → Sutonggol parking lot (수통골주차장)

▲ Donghaksa Temple Course 1 (4.4km, 2hrs 30min):
Donghaksa Temple parking lot (동학사주차장) → Donghaksa Temple (동학사) → Eunseon Waterfall (은선폭포) → Gwaneumbong Peak (관음봉)

▲ Donghaksa Temple Course 2 (11.8km, 7hrs):
Donghaksa Temple parking lot (동학사주차장) → Donghaksa Temple (동학사) → Eunseon Waterfall (은선폭포) → Gwaneumbong Peak (관음봉) → Yeoncheonbong Peak (연천봉) → Gwaneumbong Peak (관음봉) → Sambulbong Peak (삼불봉) → Nammaetap Tower (남매탑) → Donghaksa Temple (동학사)  

▲ Gapsa Temple Course 1 (3.8km, 2hrs 30min):
Gapsa Temple parking lot (갑사주차장) → Gapsa Temple (갑사) → Geumjandigogae Pass (금잔디고개) → Sambulbong Peak (삼불봉)

▲ Gapsa Temple Course 2 (10.2km, 6hrs):
Gapsa Temple parking lot (갑사주차장) → Gapsa Temple (갑사) → Wonhyodae (원효대) → Yeoncheonbong Peak (연천봉) → Gwaneumbong Peak (관음봉) → Sambulbong Peak (삼불봉) → Nammaetap Tower (남매탑) → Donghaksa Temple (동학사)  

▲ Sinwonsa Temple Course 1 (3.2km, 2hrs):
Sinwonsa Temple parking lot (신원사주차장) → Sinwonsa Temple (신원사) → Gowangam (고왕암) → Yeoncheonbong Peak (연천봉)

▲ Sinwonsa Temple Course 2 (9.9km, 6hrs):
Sinwonsa Temple parking lot (신원사주차장) → Sinwonsa Temple (신원사) → Gowangam (고왕암) → Yeoncheonbong Peak (연천봉) → Gwaneumbong Peak (관음봉) → Sambulbong Peak (삼불봉) → Nammaetap Tower (남매탑) → Donghaksa Temple (동학사)

● Sangsin (상신) - Keunbaejae (큰배재) – Jakeunbaejae (작은배재)
● Gapsa Temple (갑사상가) - Geumjandigogae Pass (금잔디고개) – Nammaetap Pagoda (남매탑)
● And 16 other courses are open to the public. For more info, visit http://gyeryong.knps.or.kr/

[Fall Foliage Exploration Road]
- Recommended travel dates: October 23-November 6
- Course Routes:
Gapsa ~ Yongmun Falls ~ Geumjandi Hill ~ Nammaetap Pagoda ~ Donghaksa Temple (3 hr 20 min / 7.6 km / ridge way)
Gapsa ~ Yeoncheonbong Peak ~ Observatory ~ Eunseon Falls ~ Donghaksa Temple (4 hr 30 min / 8.2 km / valley way)
Sutonggol Exploring Support Center ~ Sutong Falls ~ Bingyesan ~ Parking lot (2 hr 30 min / 3.8 km / ridge way)

Free

Camping sites
Adults: 1,600 won (peak season: 2,000 won)
Youths: 1,200 won (peak season: 1,500 won)
Children: 800 won (peak season: 1,000 won)

Small cars (less than 1,000cc): 2,000 won
Mid-sized cars (more than 1,000cc): 4,000 won (peak season: 5,000 won)
Buses: 6,000 won (peak season: 7,500 won)

※ Free: Regular shuttle buses (Not including monthly parking leasers)
>> Click here for more details.