100 MOST FAMOUS MOUNTAINS

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The "100 Most Famous Mountains" (100대명산 110 daemyeongsan) was selected and announced by the Korea Forest Service in October 2002 to commemorate the 2002 World Mountain Year and to newly recognize the value and importance of the mountain. The selection committee, made up by 13 experts from academia, mountaineering, and media, together selected 105 mountains recommended by local governments, mountain clubs and mountain magazines, and selected mountains through Internet sites by weighting the history, culture, accessibility, preference, size, and ecosystem characteristics of mountains. Among the top 100 famous mountains, 56 were selected in the areas of national parks (31), provincial parks (15) and county parks (10). It also includes Gariwangsan Mountain, Unjangsan Mountain, Hwangaksan Mountain, and other mountains with great ecological value (16) and mountains (28) that are excellent in every aspect, including history, culture, and scenery


Here are some of the most popular mountains in the Gyeonggido, Gangwondo and Gyeongsangbukdo provinces.


GYEONGGIDO

GWANAKSAN 관악산 629 m
Gwanaksan whose top looks like a standing big stone column is called 'Ganmoe' or 'Gwanak', meaning the
mountain which looks like a traditional Korean top hat, 'Gat'. Tens of outstanding mountain peaks and rocks, 
old trees and all kinds of grasses and herbs harmoniously change the features every season like 
Geumgangsan (another mountain). So it's called 'Sogeumgang' (little Geumgang) 
or 'Seogeumgang' (Geumgang in the west).

BUKHANSAN 북한산 837 m 
Inside the Samgaksan (Bukhansan) (Mt.) national park, there are lots of clean valleys among major rock peaks made 
of granite. It gives a beautiful view, and there live over 10,300 species of animals and plants inside.  
It provides various views and places to learn ecology, culture and history.




GANGWONDO


SEORAKSAN 설악산 1708m
Seoraksan (Mt.) is known as a mountain that once a person go there just once, the person will love it forever. 

So this mountain is often compared to a 'rare beauty'.High peaks are rising through the clouds, clear waters flowing down 
the rocks and forming a cascade. Seoraksan national park was designated as the 171th natural monument, as 
'nature protection area' in November, 1965 and as the fifth national park in 1970. Also, as a habitat of world's rare life, 
the Seoraksan area was designated as the only life protecting area in Korea by UNESCO in 1982. Seoraksan has many steep peaks and hills and icy water falls and a large quantity of snowfalls form during the winter. Also, Seoraksan national park is adjacent to the blue East Sea, providing famous beaches, ski resorts, hot springs and scenic spots. Also, lodging facilities are well provided. Luring 3 million tourists annually, it has become the Korea's greatest comprehensive tourist site.


SAMAKSAN 삼악산 654m
Samaksan (Mt.) is located 10km away from Seoul. Although the mountain is not big, ridges coming down from 
3 peaks such as Yonghwabong (Peak), Cheongunbong (Peak), and Deungseonbong (Peak) are composed of rock peaks, 
giving a fine view. Deungseongyegok (Valley), the starting point of Samaksan (Mt.) hike trail, used to be a glacial area in 
ancient times, and Ongnyeotang (Pond) which holds the legend of the woodsman and the fairy from heaven will give you the 
pleasure of feeling the mystic nature. Inside Samaksan (Mt.) are 7 temples including Heungguksa (Temple), Sangwonsa (Temple) 
and Samaksanseong (Fortress). As you follow up the hike trail, you arrive at the top, 654m above sea level, and the beauty of Euiamho (Lake) and Chuncheon-si (city) come into view. From the top, the mountain in front of Heugguksa (temple) is Deungseonbong (Peak), and here lie the ruins of Samaksanseong (Fortress) and site of the palace built in the era of Maekguk (nation).


ODAESAN 오대산 1563m
Odaesan(Mt.) is the point where Charyeong Mountain Range is separated from Taebaek Mountain Range.
Odaesan(Mt.) is the holiest mountain which has been considered the best noted mountain within the country, together with the three god's mountains (Geumgangsan (Mt.), Jirisan (Mt.) and Hallasan (Mt.).  It is known as a place where Munsu bodhisattva, a Buddhist saint, lived with his whole family of 10,000 for 1,330 years ever since Jajangyulsa, a Buddhist priest, while Seondeok Queen reigned in the Shilla dynasty. Odaesan covers parts of Gangneung-si, Hongcheong-gun, and Pyeongchang-gun in Gangwon-do. It, was designated as a National Park on Feb, 1. 1975. The size reaches up to 298.5㎢. With over 800,000 visitors a year, the whole mountain is filled with armful firs starting from the fir forest at the entrance of Woljeongsa (Temple). It showcases a stock of trees as a scenic masterpiece. The gentle curve of ridgeline connecting peaks stands like a folding screen and represents perfect aesthetics of Korea as well.


BAEGUNSAN 백운산 883m
Located in the middle of the Donggang River, the name of the mountain originated from the Odaecheon Stream and 

the Joyang River that originate from Odaesan Mountain, and the Baekryong Cave, designated as Natural Monument No. 260 (1979).


GARIWANGSAN 가리왕산 1561m
Gariwangsan (Mt.) is 1,561m high, bordering Pyeongchang-gun to the northwest of Jeongseon-eup. 
It is one of the highest mountains among lofty ranges of mountains around. The whole mountain is composed of 
soil so it does not present any valleys or aesthetics of mountains but the massive mountain ranges that stretch all around and 
thick forests are fully displaying the features of high mountains.


GANGWONDO/GYEONGSANGBUKDO

TAEBAEKSAN 태백산 1567m
Taebaeksan (Mt. 1,567m above sea level) is a noted mountain which borders Daehyeon-ri, Seokpo-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, 
Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Mungoksodo-dong, Taebaek-si and Cheonpyeong-ri, Sangdong-myeom, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do.  
As water originating from this mountain forms Nakdonggang (River), artery of Yeongnam plains, 
Hangang (River) flowing along with the history of Korea, and Osipcheon (Stream) of Samcheok, it is the Father Mountain of the 
county and the root of all the mountains in Korea. As it has few rock walls, anyone can hike easily. There are alpine plants growing 
wild on the top. Stocks of wild royal azalea blossoms and azaleas greet mountaineers in spring. Thick forest and clean water of the 
valleys are cool enough to make people forget the heat of mid summer. Fall tints are embroidered with various colors in the whole mountain in fall. And snow-covered sceneries of the yew stocks are displayed in winter. This is a magnificent and grave mountain with grandeur and catholicity of manliness, covered with soil. Also other attractions of Taebaeksan are magnificent sunrise and sunset from 
the top and a fine panorama of the East Sea in the distance reminiscent of a paradise in fine weather.


GYEONGSANGBUKDO


SOBAEKSAN 소백산 1440m
Sobaeksan (Mt.) is one of the famous mountains Baekdudaegan Mountain System possesses.  
If you visit Sobaeksan in May and June, you can dive into the sea of royal azaleas. The stock of splendid wild royal azaleas flourishes instantly throughout the mountain.Especially, they are stocked around ridges connecting through Yeonhwabong (Peak), Birobong (Peak), and Gungangbong (Peak). Usually, from the end of May to the beginning of June, Sobaeksan Royal Azalea Festival and various events such as paragliding, Sanshinje (a religious service for the god of a mountain) are held. And the 5-km-long grassy road from Yeonhwabong (Peak) to Gungmangbong (Peak), is covered with various alpine plants in August, which makes you feel as if you were at a botanical garden on the air. Also, stocks of edelweisses and yews around Bibobong are also famous.
The most venerable valley in Sobaeksan is Heuibanggol (Valley), and most people start their hiking from here. If you hike along this road, you reach Heuibangsa (Temple) and Heuibangpokpo (Water fall). Heuibangpokpo is a water fall located upon 900m above sea level. It is 28m high, and the white splash and loud noise of water fall will drive steamy heat away during the summer. After a walk for several minutes from Heuibangpokpo stands Heuibangsa.


SEONGINBONG 성인봉 984m
The attractive part of travelling in Ulleungdo (Island) is the steep hiking trail through primitive forest and unique 
plants upon the roads, and to foster great spirit by looking down the endless sea all around. You can enjoy hiking in light outfit. 
But you should never boast and be careful when hiking during the winter.


UNMUNSAN 운문산 1188m
Unmunsan Mountain, which is connected to Gajisan Mountain in the east, is a mountain that many hikers visit due 
to its magnificent mountain range and dense trees. There are large and small temples and hermitages, including 
Unmunsa Temple, and the surrounding scenery is very beautiful.