Gangneung’s Woodland Wonders: 5 Must-Visit Forests for Adventurers
① Natural Forest Recreational Areas in Gangneung
Gangneung is a place where you can fully feel the charm of the East Sea. As a representative tourist destination in Gangwon Province, you can see the aesthetic sea anywhere. However, Gangneung’s beautiful forest destinations are as impressive as the sea. Here are five forest destinations that are great to visit along with the sea in Gangneung.
In Imhae Natural Forest Recreation Area, you can feel the atmosphere of the sea and Mt. Gwae-bang. It is the only place in the country where you can enjoy the mountains and the sea. Behind the recreation area is a military-experience hiking trail, making it an excellent place for a walk.
The sunrise viewed from the Imhae Natural Forest Recreation Area is famous for being extraordinarily beautiful. The accommodation facilities in the recreation area are condo-style and allow for cooking inside.
- Address: 1715-85, Yulgok-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Imhae Natural Forest Recreation Area
- Operating Hours: Daily 00:00 – 24:00
- Admission Fee: Free
The National Daegwallyeong Natural Forest Recreation Area is the first recreation area to open in Korea.
Opened in 1989, it covers an area of about 6.9 million square feet. It is a place where you can see the best pine forests in Korea.
It is a forest destination where you can enjoy forest bathing away from the city. National Daegwallyeong Healing Forest is a place where the scenery of Korean pine forests is spectacular, and the walking paths are well maintained. In this forest, anyone can walk without burden.
The maximum daily capacity of Daegwallyeong Natural Forest Recreation Area is 1,000 people, and the optimal number is 500 people. It retains the unspoiled natural landscape and is recommended as a spectacular place to visit with family.
- Address: National Daegwallyeong Natural Forest Recreation Area
- Operating Hours: 09:00 – 18:00, Closed on Tuesdays (except during peak season)
- Admission Fee: Adults 1,000 won (about $0.84), Teenagers 600 won (about $0.50), Children 300 won (about $0.25)
② Arboretum Made of Korean Pine
Forest destinations are less known than the sea as tourist spots in Gangneung. Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum opened in 2013 and is located in Yongso-gol, famous for its scenic beauty in Gangneung. In Yongso-gol, representative species of Gangneung Korean pine have been well cultivated. The name Yongso-gol was given because it was said that a dragon ascended to heaven from here.
The arboretum is about 792,750 square feet and consists of 23 different themes. It is composed of 222,000 plants of 1,127 species.
You can see countless plants whose names you don’t know, naturally lifting your mood. As soon as you enter the entrance, you feel refreshed, thanks to the scent of the forest. The Thousand Years Breath Healing Path is the most popular walking course, where Korean pines are lined up.
- Address: 156, Sumogwon-gil, Gujeong-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum
- Operating Hours: 09:00 – 22:00 (17:00 – 18:00 break time), Regularly closed on Mondays
- Admission Fee: Free
Ojukheon is a representative historical site in Gangneung, built in the early Joseon Dynasty. It is known that Yulgok Yi I was born in the Myeongryongsil of Ojukheon, which was designated a treasure in 1963.
Ojukheon is a place of historical value and a famous spot in Gangneung, thanks to its serene atmosphere. It offers a picturesque landscape with a pond. In spring, beautiful plum blossoms bloom in Ojukheon.
It is considered an excellent place to visit in spring, where you can see plum blossoms and magnolia.
It is also good to look around Ojukheon, Ojukheon Municipal Museum, Gangneung Municipal Museum, and Gangneung Ojuk Hanok Village together. Moreover, it is a superb idea to visit the famous Chodang Tofu Village in Gangneung and enjoy local food.
- Address: 24, Yulgok-ro 3139beon-gil, Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Ojukheon
- Operating Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
- Admission Fee: Adults 3,000 won (about $2.51), Teenagers 2,000 won (about $1.67), Children 1,000 won (about $0.84)
③ Places Known as Famous Spots in Gangneung
If you’re looking for a place to walk in Gangneung, we recommend Gyeongpo Ecological Reservoir. It is where you can walk the Metasequoia road in Gangneung. It is an ecological creek created between Ojukheon and Seonkyojeong to prevent damage from heavy rain. It holds 70 million tons of water.
It is currently a park that is popular with the citizens of Gangneung. At Gyeongpo Ecological Reservoir, beautiful flowers bloom every season. When spring comes, rape flowers and poppies start to bloom. You can also enjoy cherry blossom viewing. In autumn, it forms a spectacular view of the cosmos.
The Metasequoia road that crosses the center of the reservoir boasts quiet scenery. It is an excellent place to walk between the trees standing in a row. Walking along the sea is good, but it is also fun to walk in nature full of green.
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