Sunday, May 31, 2015

A Tranquil hike on Soyosan Mountain


 Soyosan Mountain Retreat... surrounded by the beauty of nature


One of my goals while in South Korea is to become fit and healthy by walking everywhere on my two legs... Of course since the broken toe incident, it has been challening.. however a need for a beautiful hiking trail lead to Soyosan Mountain.  It is amazing as the first week in Korea, my brother John actually gave me a drive by yet I didn't catch on that it was Soyosan Mountain.  

Anyways... some information should you be curious regarding its history.   

Soyosan is a mountain in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.  Its area extends across the cities of Pocheon and Dongducheon.  It has an elevation of 1,926 feet.  The mountain is home to two Buddhist shrines commemorating Silla priest Wonhyo and Uisang, and a small temple called Jaja Hermitage.  The mountain is famous for its small waterfalls and spring wells and is a popular hiking route.   


Map of Soyosan Mountain with its four trails of varying distances.  
On this day Course #1 was the plan... 

The goal of the day is to walk, hike and climb the trail and soak in the bounty of nature's beauty.  I was hoping for cherry blossoms by came too late.  Should have visited 2-3 weeks prior then would've been surrounded by the eye candy that is a sakura tree.  
For now enjoy the views of what unfolded on the hike this day.  



Buddhist Cave next to one of the waterfalls that's barely falling...
The monsoon season should be hitting us soon but for now it's the dry season so many of the areas waterfalls such as Wonhyo Falls, Uisang Falls, Cheongnyang Falls and Seonnyeotang Falls are not springing music showers our way.  Hopefully next trip up where I make it to the top. Fingers crossed.


You will see many stones towers in honor of Buddhist.


The lush green forest on Soyosan Mountain. 



Honoring Buddhist monk Wonhyo from the Silla Kingdom.  It was here he found his spiritual awakening.
 
Jajae Hermitage, a small temple where Wonhyo practiced asceticism.  
Nahanjeon, a small cave with a small temple inside where a resident rat came for some supper at the altar.   It was a sweet sight. A very tasty spring water wells in the cave and is called Wonhyo spring.


Nahanjeon Cave
Nearly to the top, had to turn around as the legs were starting to tremble.  It was also past 7 pm so time to return.







Till next time Soyosan!  Hopefully the waterfalls will dance.  
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1 comment:

Melissa Enderle said...

Thanks for sharing the photos from your hike. Glad you got to see some colorful lanterns by the temple. Korea is a great place to get motivated and hike; people of all ages are really into this.