[National Park Stamp Tour] 13. Easy Snow Hiking in Naejangsan with a Cable Car, Even for Beginners

Located in the heart of the Baekdudaegan Mountains, Deogyusan was designated as the 10th national park in 1975. Administratively, it spans four counties encompassing both Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces, including Muju-gun and Jangsu-gun in Jeollabuk-do and Geochang-gun and Hamyang-gun in Gyeongsangnam-do. A total area of 229.43㎢ has been designated as the park area. Situated at the heart of the Baekdudaegan Mountains, Deogyusan National Park is surrounded by Mt. Gayasan to the east, Mt. Naejangsan to the west, Mt. Jirisan to the south, and Mt. Gyeryongsan and Mt. Soraksan to the north. Deogyusan is the fourth highest mountain in South Korea (Hwangjeokbong Peak, 1,614m), and its alpine ecosystem is of great conservation value. It is also the source of the Geum River flowing to the north and the Nakdong River flowing to the east.

Source: Deogyusan National Park website

There's a visitor center on the way up to the Gucheondong Valley.

Due to a heavy snowfall warning, there were no hikers, and the stamps were left soaked in the snow...

Fortunately, I was able to dry the stamp and successfully get my stamp.

Reservation for the tourist gondola

Easily reach the top of Deogyusan by gondola! Welcome to Deogyusan Resort.

[March - September: Only available for on-site purchase]

<Tourist Gondola operates a reservation system on weekends and holidays>

October - November Advance reservation / On-site ticketing (remaining seats)

December - February Advance reservation (full)

I was lucky enough to ride the cable car alone on a weekday due to good timing.

The plan was to go up by cable car,

Seolcheonbong Peak - Hwangjeokbong Peak - Baekryeon Temple - Gucheon Waterfall - Gucheondong District course,

but it was completely closed due to heavy snow.

So I only went to Hwangjeokbong Peak.

Arrival at Hwangjeokbong Peak

Tranggle record

It's a shame I couldn't descend the mountain,

but it was great that I could easily reach the summit using the cable car.

The path to Hwangjeokbong Peak is a beautiful scenery through a snow tunnel.

I understood why people visit Deogyusan in winter.

I recommend Deogyusan where you can experience the beauty of snow.

National Park Designation Date: February 1, 1975

Highest Point: Hwangjeokbong Peak 1,614m

Recommended Tourist Destinations

Hwangjeokbong Peak, Gucheondong Valley, Baekryeon Temple, Jeoksangsan Mountaintop Lake, Korean History Museum, Muju Bandiland

Food

Grape Sauce Tangsuyuk (Sweet and Sour Pork), Doribangbangi (Grilled Fish)

Source: National Park Stamp Tour Passport

1. How to obtain a stamp passport

• Pickup Location: 22 National Parks across the country / 109 Park Facilities

(From Wednesday, March 3, 2021, until stocks last at each park facility)

• Call the visitor center of each national park in advance to check for stock!

• Quantity and Price: 20,000 copies / Passport pick-up is free

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2. Stamp Certification Method (Where to get stamps)

• Certification Location: 22 National Parks across the country / 109 Park Facilities

(Visitor Center of each National Park - Refer to the list below)

• Check the operating hours and closure days of each visitor center before visiting.

• Certification Method: Get a stamp from each National Park at the certification location

and stamp it on the corresponding page of the National Park Passport for certification.

• Commemorative Gift: 10 stamps / 21 stamps earned, you can apply for it.

[Source] National Park Stamp Tour + Passport Collection Method, Stamp Locations and Commemorative Gifts Summary