Jirisan National Park

Jirisan National Park (지리산국립공원) is in South Gyeongsang, South Korea.

Understand
Jirisan National Park is the largest – and perhaps most famous – national park in South Korea. It spans three provinces: South Jeolla, North Jeolla and South Gyeongsang and is 1,915 m above sea level. Within the park is Jiri mountain, which is considered one of the three holy mountains on the Korean peninsula.

The literal meaning of Jirisan Mountain is 'the mountain of wise people'. In the past, many hermits entered Jiri Mountain to train their minds. Their population was enough to influence the name of the mountain.

It offers some of Korea's best hiking and is the beginning of the Baekdu Deagan (백두대간) Ridge, the "spine" of Korea, which extends all the way to Baekdusan (백두산) on the border of China and North Korea. The park has 12 peaks over 1,000 m with a 40 km ridge. The highest peak is Cheonwangbong (1,915 m), which is South Korea's second largest mountain.

Until now, it has been listed as Korea's top five famous mountains, and the Korean Peninsula's top five famous mountains, and in 2021, a drama titled this mountain was aired.

History
Jirisan Mountain (hereinafter referred to as Jirisan) has long been a sacred place of national faith that has been worshipped by Koreans.

Jirisan has long been called one of the three sacred mountains along with Geumgangsan and Hallasan.

Jirisan became Korea's first national park in 1967.

Landscape
Jirisan National Park spreads over 320 km². Numerous peaks are folding out like a screen in the center with the Cheonwangbong (1,915 m), Banyabong (1,732 m), and Nogodan (1,507 m) peaks. Many valleys are situated between the over 20 ridges. Jirisan is the cause for the cultural differences and varieties between regions to its east and west.

Jirisan National Park and the surrounding area are divided into metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian period, igneous rocks of the Jurassic Period of the Mesozoic Era, and the fourth base layer.

In the middle of the Jirisan area, porphyry granite is distributed, and granite gneiss is distributed around the center.

The attractions where you can observe the geological characteristics of Jirisan National Park in detail are the area between Baemsagol Valley and Piagol Valley, the Cheonwangbong area, and Nogodan area.

Flora & fauna and climate
Continental climate is present in Jirisan National Park with strong winds along the mountain ridges.

With 4,989 flora and fauna inhabiting its grounds, Jirisan is a treasure chest of nature. Various vegetation from warm-temperate forests and temperate central forests to cold forests populate jirisan.

The flagpole species of Jirisan are Asiatic black bear and Korean Winter Hazel. Asiatic black bears used to live throughout Korean territory in the past, but they have become endangered due to hunting and habitat destruction. For them, Jirisan has provided a habitat for bears for the Asiatic Black Bear Ecological Restoration Project since 2004.

According to a survey by the Korean Ministry of Environment in 2011, Jirisan has a total of 7,500 species of life, including 1,500 plants, 122 species of wild birds, 24 species of mammals, 10 species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles, 42 species of fish, 5,000 species of insects, and other creatures. It is the most diverse wild place in South Korea. Among them, four rare species animal are Asiatic black bear, Yellow-throated marten, otter, and Pteromys volans (a flying squirrel).

Get in
Jirisan is best accessed by car or bus. From Busan many buses depart from Seobu Terminal: two buses daily to, four buses daily (two in the early morning) to , and one every other hour to. From there local buses can take you (almost) to the entrance of the park.

These cities can also be reached from other cities like Jeonju, Gwangju, and Daegu.

By plane
The closest airport to Jirisan is Sacheon Airport.

Sacheon Airport is not directly connected to foreign countries. You can only depart from Gimpo Airport and Jeju Airport in Korea. The average price of a plane ticket is around ₩90,000, and discount sales are frequent for regular seats. It is important to note that there are many days when it is not operated. It is recommended to check the flight schedule before the travel schedule.

The Jungsan-ri Exploration Information Center, the closest starting point to Jirisan Mountain from Sacheon Airport, takes about 50 minutes by car.

If your Korean is good, it is one way to find out the products of Korean travel agencies.

Since a few years ago, some Korean travel agencies have been selling one-day climbing tour packages to Jirisan Mountain via Sacheon Airport. Considering ticket prices and travel costs, which often change the market, such tourism products may be able to travel cheaper than ordinary travel expenses.

However, the schedule or route is fixed, so if you want to travel freely, make your own plans.

By train
The train station that is close to Jirisan and has high convenience is

Gurye-gu Station is located on the west side of Jirisan Mountain, so you can easily get to the starting point of Hwagyesa Temple and Nogodan Route.However, in order to do so, buses and taxis must be used continuously.

The railroad passing through  Gurye-gu Station is a railroad that departs from Seoul, passes through Daejeon and Jeonju, arrives at  Gurye-gu Station, and then heads to Yeosu Expo Station. So other cities are hard to access by train.

Once you arrive at Gurye-gu Station, you can take a bus to Gurye Bus Terminal from the bus stop you can see as soon as you get out. It takes about 10 minutes, and the fare is ₩1,000 ~ ₩1,500.


 * Seoul Station -> Gurye-gu Station (KTX) There are two departures every day at 07:05 and 16:38. Average operating hours are 2 hours and 34 minutes. The price is ₩41,800 for a regular seat.
 * Seoul Station -> Gurye-gu Station (Namdo Marine Train 2521) Departures at 8:06 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It's hard to make a reservation on the Internet for regular seats.
 * Yeongdeungpo Station –> Gurye-gu Station (Mugunghwa Train) Departures every 05:57, 12:08, 14:13, 15:26, 19:25. Average operating hours are 4 hours and 20 minutes. The price is ₩23,200 for a regular seat.
 * Yeongdeungpo Station –> Gurye-gu Station (South Sea Train 2521) Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, at 8:19 a.m. It's hard to make a reservation on the Internet for regular seats.
 * Yeongdeungpo Station –> Gurye-gu Station (ITX-Saemaeul) Departures every 08:55 and 16:47 each day. Average operating hours are 3 hours and 50 minutes. The price is ₩34,500 for a regular seat.

By bus
If possible, call ahead or visit any local tourist information to determine the bus schedule for those cities. The return directions behaves similarly.
 * It is located in the southwest of Jirisan. Bus terminals connected here include Seoul Nambu Terminal, Gwangju Terminal, Jeonju Terminal, Daegu Terminal, and Suncheon Terminal. If you depart from the Seoul Nambu Terminal, there are buses almost every 1 to 2 hours between 06:40 and 19:30. It takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes. The price is ₩27,600.
 * Baekmu-dong Terminal is located in the northeast of Jirisan. The Baekmu-dong Exploration Support Center, the starting point for hiking, is right in front of it, and there are many restaurants and accommodation nearby, making it convenient. This is one of the best starting points to go to Cheonwangbong Peak. There is a bus coming here from the Seoul Nambu Terminal every 19:40 minutes.  It takes about 4 hours and 5 minutes. The price is ₩34,500.  There are many buses coming here from Dong Seoul Terminal. It leaves every two hours.  It takes a long time because there are many other stations that stop in the middle. It takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes. The price is ₩35,000.
 * Only the Dong Seoul Terminal is connected to Nogodan Terminal. It takes about 5 hours. The price is ₩36,200. A bus departing from Dong Seoul Terminal at Gurye Public Bus Terminal shortly before arriving at Nogodan Terminal to receive additional passengers. This is only available on-site issuance, so reservations cannot be made on the Internet.
 * It is a small bus terminal. Intercity buses connected to Jeonju run three times a day. In addition, city buses connected to nearby areas such as Inwol, Unbong, Namwon Station, and Dalgung visit three times a day.
 * In addition, consider any buses going to Hadong, Namwon, Hamyang, Sancheong, or Jinju, wherever your starting point, and take another local bus from there. Buses from the nearby cities usually run pretty regularly, but some routes stop earlier than others. The bus from Hadong for Ssanggyesa leaves at 08:00, 09:15, 12:40, 14:00 and 15:50 and comes back at 09:10, 10:15, 15:00, 16:35, 17:00 and 18:45.

Fees and permits
There can be a fee for visiting the local heritage sites (₩3,500) which are part of the national park, e.g., when coming from Gurye. If you are convincing enough to explain that you are just visiting the national park or just overstrain the entrance post by just speaking English, they might opt for not forcing you to pay this fee.

Get around
Inside Jirisan National Park, a three-way intersection national highway crosses.

The southwest path of three-way intersection is Nogodan-ro, the north path is Jirisan-ro, and the northwest path is Jeongryeongchi-ro.

The name of the road is Nogodan-ro in the southwest of three-way intersection, Jirisan-ro in the north, and Jeongryeongchi-ro in the northwest.

It is about 21 km from the southwest to the north.

There are and  where you can rest in the middle of the road, of which Seongsamjae Rest Area is a good starting point for hiking.

There is also a rest area on Jeongryeongchi-ro.

There is a section with a village around Jirisan-ro, a road in the north, and there is Baemsagol Public Bus Terminal, and Dalgung Valley, one of the tourist attractions of Jirisan.

If you exit by a small road called Wawun-gil near Dalgung Valley, you can get close to Baemsagol Valley.

By car
People usually visit Jirisan Mountain for the purpose of hiking, but this national road is also a drive course where you can enjoy Jirisan quickly. The roads are well organized, but they can be somewhat inconvenient due to height and flexion

The 9 km from Cheongeunsa Temple in the south of Nogodan-ro to Seongsamjae Rest Area is a popular driving course when flowers bloom.

By train
Namwon, one of the cities across Jirisan, is promoting the "Environmentally Friendly Transportation System Project for Mountains." In 2026, Mountain electric trains for tourism will be operated in Jirisan.

See
There are 10 representative natural scenery attractions officially established by Jirisan National Park.

And there are seven temples.
 * Nogodan at Jirisan, Korea 03.JPG
 * . 60 meters high and 3 meters wide. It is the largest waterfall in Jirisan. The hiking course that goes through here is easy. 2.4 km from Ssanggyesa Temple, the road consists of gentle slopes and cool forests, so you can enjoy easy hiking. This place is so cool that it is good to visit in summer.
 * It is a hiking trail between Seseok and Jangteomok. There are many fragrant flowers, and Giamgoeseok (strange rocks and bizarre stones) are covered with colorful moss exist everywhere. When the clouds pass by the peak here, you can feel the mystery of coming to the ancient East. It is a good course with a good view and many grasses and birds.
 * One of the three major valleys in Korea. It starts in the northwest of Cheonwangbong Peak and leads to Imcheon. It is easy to climb from the ground to Yongso or Biseondam, but the way to Cheonwangbong Peak beyond Biseondam is the most difficult hiking course in Jirisan. because this course's slope is 60 to 70 degrees and even slippery. Therefore, it is recommended for beginners to stay and enjoy at below here. The area around Chilseon Valley is rugged. Therefore, the scenery is sharp, so it is good to see, and it is also a place with a primeval forest.
 * Hwaeomsa Tempel Jirisan.jpg
 * . 60 meters high and 3 meters wide. It is the largest waterfall in Jirisan. The hiking course that goes through here is easy. 2.4 km from Ssanggyesa Temple, the road consists of gentle slopes and cool forests, so you can enjoy easy hiking. This place is so cool that it is good to visit in summer.
 * It is a hiking trail between Seseok and Jangteomok. There are many fragrant flowers, and Giamgoeseok (strange rocks and bizarre stones) are covered with colorful moss exist everywhere. When the clouds pass by the peak here, you can feel the mystery of coming to the ancient East. It is a good course with a good view and many grasses and birds.
 * One of the three major valleys in Korea. It starts in the northwest of Cheonwangbong Peak and leads to Imcheon. It is easy to climb from the ground to Yongso or Biseondam, but the way to Cheonwangbong Peak beyond Biseondam is the most difficult hiking course in Jirisan. because this course's slope is 60 to 70 degrees and even slippery. Therefore, it is recommended for beginners to stay and enjoy at below here. The area around Chilseon Valley is rugged. Therefore, the scenery is sharp, so it is good to see, and it is also a place with a primeval forest.
 * Hwaeomsa Tempel Jirisan.jpg
 * Hwaeomsa Tempel Jirisan.jpg
 * Hwaeomsa Tempel Jirisan.jpg
 * Hwaeomsa Tempel Jirisan.jpg

Do
The most scenic hike is the one between Hwaeomsa and Jungsan-ri, about 38 km including Cheonwangbong peak. It can be done in 3 days and 2 nights. Jangteomok, Seseok, Byeoksoryeong and Nogodan shelter are of high standard, only Yeonhacheon shelter is a little older. This track potentially allows for a hike down to Sanggyesa.

A full list of all available routes can be found on the official website.

A very good map is available on the Korean park website.

Here are some easy hiking trails at Jirisan National Park.

Climbing to Nogodan Route

It is a 4.7-km hike from Seongsamjae Rest Area to Nogodan. It takes an hour by one way.

The easiest course to climb Nogodan, one of the three major peaks of Jirisan. In spring and summer, azaleas are full of gentle slopes. You can easily see the beautiful scenery of the alpine region. This course consists of a flat road as a whole, so it is also recommended for beginners of mountain climbing. As you go up to the top, the style of the surrounding natural scenery gradually changes to suit the highlands. Perhaps because of its popularity, it is the route that is suffering from concerns about environmental pollution and damage.

Road to Buril waterfall

It is a 4.8-kilometer hike from Ssanggyesa Temple Visit Support Center to Bulil waterfalls. It takes three hours one way. It is close to the village and the altitude is low in the park, so it is very easy to enter.

An easy course consisting only of gentle slopes and cool forest roads. It is a refreshing course that comes back after enjoying the cool water breeze of Bulil Falls, which arrived through the cool forest. The Hwagae Market Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in mid-April, and the Hadong Wild Tea Culture Festival in early May, so you can enjoy twice as much if you visit around this time. It is a way to enjoy the beauty of nature whenever you come during the four seasons.

Jungsan-ri (Kalbawi) Route

It is the fastest way from the parking lot in Jungsan-ri to Cheonwangbong Peak, the highest peak of Jirisan. It takes about 5.4 km to hike and four hours on a one-way.

It's easy to start from Jungsan-ri parking lot. It is a representative hiking trail of Jirisan Mountain, where you can visit temples in a spacious 8 hours round trip. You can see a beautiful rocky landscape that is considered a specialty, and if you visit Beopgyesa Temple in the middle of the course, you can see Korea's national treasure and the three-story stone pagoda. It is recommended to start early in the morning to become a leisurely course that conquers and descends from the top.

Buy
There are often small canteen in the mountain cabin and at the starting point of hiking.

That sells instant rice, water, portable butane gas, tissues, head lanterns, gloves, raincoat, crampon, chain crampon, bandages, postcards, batteries, and sleeping bags. Sometimes this is not guaranteed.

Also, the mountain cabin on the mountain does not have enough electricity supply.

So the microwave oven in the cabin is only works 17:00–20:00.

Eat
You have to mostly cater for yourself along the tracks.



Drink

 * Water – Fresh water springs are relatively consistent along the trails. The mountain water is filtered through granite and is safe to drink, according to every Korean voraciously drinking it. Beware that some trail maps mark water springs that do not (or no longer) exist. Have an extra full bottle just in case.
 * Tea – The area, specifically Hadong, is known for green tea. Shops and stores around Jirisan usually sell tea leaves by the bag. If you are a true tea fanatic, come in May for the Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival.

Connect
Mailbox Some evacuation centers, including the Jangteomok evacuation center, have mailboxes in the yard. Staff at the National Park Service, who work in the shelter, regularly deliver letters from the mailbox to the regular post office.

Writing a letter as a souvenir and sending it through the mailbox here is also a tourist factor.

Korea National Park Service

It controls Korea's national parks, including Jirisan Mountain.

If you are willing to visit Jirisan, make sure to check for mountain climbing information and reservations.

Useful contact numbers are as follows:


 * Police, ☏ 112.
 * Fire Department, ☏ 119.

Sleep
Camping and evacuation centers can be booked on the Korea National Park Service site.

Lodging
You also have the option of staying at a mountain shelter (hut). See the following list for options:. Reservations must be made in advance via the park website or through email: yhg2006@knps.or.kr You also need to send the fees in advance; this can be done at any Korean bank. During non-busy periods, two days notice is sufficient. However, the spots fill up fast during holiday weekends, so try to plan ahead. In emergency cases (e.g. if you are a foreigner not proficient in Korean), especially in non-busy periods, shelters can be booked and paid for on site or at the park entrance. This, however, is unofficial. Fees for the shelter are ₩12,000–13,000/adult, depending on time of the year and specific shelter. The person who made the reservation must bring his ID. When there are many visitors, mountain cabin managers allocate rooms by dividing the men and women of the visitors. There is no bed and sleeps on the floor with built-in heating. Due to insufficient electricity supply, the entire building is turned off at 20:00. Except for the staff office.
 * On the mountainThe only place where you can sleep legally on the mountain and in the hiking trail is a mountain cabin (shelter) operated by the National Park Service.


 * Aroun and in the National ParkThe small villages near the park entrances offer various lodging options. You can bet on finding a minbak (room rental) for a somewhat reasonable price.

Camping
There are several campgrounds at various locations. Fees are minimal (₩1,600–2,000/adult) and reservations are not necessary. Consult the park website (see lodging chapter) for specific campground locations.

Backcountry
Camping is forbidden within the boundaries of the national park, except on designated camping grounds. Throughout the park, signs are posted giving warnings of a ₩500,000 penalty for violations. Hike to your heart's content, but laying down to sleep is a risk. For those of you considering sneaking off trail and pitching a tent illegally, be careful about snakes and bears.

Stay safe
Bring appropriate shoes, gear and clothes. In winter the temperature along the ridge can be far below 0 °C and the strong wind adds an additional burden. Crampons can be useful, but considering that also in winter the tracks are very busy, most of it will be cracked up properly by other people's crampons, leaving enough powder to cope easily with proper hiking boots with ankle protection. Most of the huts are heated, but even then it might not be enough for a good night sleep. Consider bringing a good sleeping bag (-2 °C) in winter. There are also blankets available for rent for ₩2,000. Since you will sleep on the floor, you might want to bring a self-inflating mattress.

Sign
There are "multi-purpose location signs" installed throughout the trail. This sign is marked with a unique number.

The unique number describing the current location consists of two letters and four numbers. Under the unique number, the altitude of the current location is written in meter.

It also has the number of the National Park Office managing Jirisan Mountain and the call number of the rescue team (119). If you are in distress, injured or in danger, call here.

If you tell the rescue team the unique number on the multi-purpose location sign, the rescue team will go there.

Don't delay the call for help if you've detected danger when the sudden deterioration of the weather makes it difficult to maneuver, when you're lost, when the sun goes down without reaching a safe place, and so on.

Admission control
Jirisan has control time for mountain climbing. If a violation is detected, a fine of up to ₩500,000 must be paid.

Each control place (mainly the starting point of climbing) can only pass for a certain period of time, and other times are not allowed to pass due to safety considerations.


 * Winter (November to March): Admission time: Ssanggyesa Temple (04:00–12:00), Uishin Village (04:00–12:00), Samjeong Village (04:00–14:00), Baekmu-dong (04:00–14:00), Chusung Village (04:00–13:00), Jungsan-ri (04:00–14:00), Georim (04:00–14:00), Cheonghak-dong (04:00–14:00), evacuation center (04:00–14:00), evacuation center, and evacuation center (04:00–13:00)
 * Summer (April to October): Entrance time: Ssanggyesa Temple (03:00–13:00), Uishin Village (03:00–13:00), Samjeong Village (03:00–15:00), Baekmu-dong (03:00–15:00), Chusung Village (03:00–16:00), Jungsan-ri (03:00–15:00), Georim (03:00–15:00), Cheonghak-dong (03:00–15:00), Samjangso (03:00–14:00), evacuation center, evacuation center (03:00–14:00), evacuation center (03:00–14:00)

In addition, the National Park website orders mountain climbing control in consideration of weather and natural disasters. You can check it on the site, but make sure to refer to the website before hiking.