Sangwonsa 상원사

Access is possible by car (with a large car park at the park entrance - free in May 2023 but a lot of work and barriers are currently in place) or by bus (Jinbu city bus).

(S) In principle, entry to the park is free for pedestrians. From the toll barriers (for cars), follow the path along the left-hand side of the road, which is mostly covered with sisal mats. This path winds between the road and the river - it was calm when we passed through, but the quantity and size of the rocks carried along and the width of the riverbed suggest an impressive flow during rainy weather.

(1) At this point, you have to cross the road and pass under a gate that marks the entrance to the pedestrian access to the first temple. The next section is surrounded by majestic trees with numerous explanatory panels (translated into English). It is more like an arboretum path than a trail.

A little further on, you will come to a stone bridge that leads to a car park on the other side.

(2) Stay on this bank. You can either take the path that climbs up to Woljeongsa Temple (normally there is a beautiful column in the centre - when we visited it was being renovated and covered with huge scaffolding) or walk along the river below.
Then cross the river, and from there you will find a classic hiking trail that follows the river (crossing it several times) and goes up to the^second temple: Sangwonsa. The signage is perfect (this is Korea, after all). Continue on this trail, which ends at the temple car park (where you can take the bus back down).

(3) Climb up on the left to reach the highlight of the walk (and its end): Sangwonsa Temple (E).

This fairly long hike can be done either uphill, as described above, or downhill, as buses run several times a day between the park entrance and Sangwonsa Temple.

It is possible to limit yourself to Woljeongsa Temple, in which case the walk can be completed in just over an hour there and back (not including time to visit the site).

At the park entrance, you will find a whole area of restaurants and a 7-Eleven.
At Woljeongsa Temple, there are also several restaurants and cafés (where you can buy water).
At Sangwonsa Temple, there is at least one restaurant where you can buy water.
There are several toilets along the trail.

Good walking shoes (for occasional hikers) are required for the upper part of the walk. Be aware of the weather conditions, as when it rains in Korea, it really rains.

PLEASE NOTE: the altitude calculation does not work for this walk. The elevation gain is approximately 300 m. The^first temple is at an altitude of 660 m and the second at 900 m, so the ascent takes around 4 hours.

When we visited in May 2023, a monumental gate was under construction at the park entrance. There are also three museums (free of charge) on themes related to Korean Buddhism.
The first temple, Woljeongsa (월정사), is one of the 24 main temples of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
The second temple, Sangwonsa, is a Buddhist temple of the Jogye order with beautiful paintings and a magnificent location.
Of course, there are many other walks available in the park with varying levels of difficulty.