2026 Jirisan Walking Festival ‘Jirisan Picnic’

The 2026 Jirisan Walking Festival, “Jirisan Picnic,” will take place on October 24, 2026, at the Sancheong County Volunteer Center, 7 Ungseokbong-ro 86beon-gil, Sancheong-eup, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. The 2026 participation fee is 20,000 won, and advance registration will be accepted online until 5 p.m. on October 20. This event rotates among the five cities and counties along the Jirisan Dulle-gil, and in 2026 the starting and finishing point for the Sancheong section was announced as Josan Park, with a total distance of approximately 12 km.

Jirisan Picnic began in 2011; the 2026 course in Sancheong is 12 km

“Jirisan Picnic” is a Jirisan Dulle-gil walking event that began in 2011 to create a walking culture of reflection in Jirisan. It rotates among the five cities and counties of Namwon, Hamyang, Sancheong, Hadong, and Gurye, so the host location changes for each edition.

Since 2021, the event has continued each year in May and October, with a regional section selected for each occasion. The host location for the October 2026 edition is Sancheong. This course starts at Sancheong County Residents’ Neighborhood Park, passes Seonnyeotang, Hanbat Village, Sancheong-eup, and Hwanajeong, then returns to Sancheong County Residents’ Neighborhood Park in a loop.

The 12 km course begins at Sancheong County Residents’ Neighborhood Park; a timetable is still needed for the return trip

The starting and finishing point is Josan Park, while the event venue is listed as the Sancheong County Volunteer Center, 7 Ungseokbong-ro 86beon-gil, Sancheong-eup, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. In map apps, it is safest to enter the road-name address and “Sancheong County Residents’ Neighborhood Park” separately and compare the listed starting point with the event venue.

As of the 2026 information, details about nearby stations and terminals, city bus routes, walking times from stations or terminals to the venue, temporary shuttles, parking locations, and fees had not been provided. The detailed times for the opening ceremony, walk, lunch, and cultural performances were also not announced, so it is impossible to calculate the last bus or return time. Under the current plan, the conclusion is to “assume a same-day trip is not feasible” and reassess after the official timetable is released.

The actual 12 km route connecting Seonnyeotang, Hanbat Village, and Hwanajeong

The 12 km course runs from Josan Park through Seonnyeotang and Hanbat Village, then past Sancheong-eup and Hwanajeong, before returning to Josan Park.

Games and surprise-gift events will be held at Hwanajeong, while experiential programs and events will operate at various points along the route. The opening ceremony and games are also included as separate programs, but their exact start times have not yet been announced.

After the walk, a picnic market and cultural performances will continue at Sancheong County Residents’ Neighborhood Park. Local sellers will participate in the market, selling local foods, specialties, and handicrafts. Participants will receive souvenirs and a 10,000-won Sancheong Sarang Gift Certificate usable in Sancheong-eup.

The lunch restaurant menu and prices, stores accepting the gift certificate, and the card or cash payment methods at the market have not been announced. It has also not been confirmed whether English guidance, interpretation, or multilingual leaflets will be available. Travelers who need to follow the opening ceremony or games in English should ask in advance whether they can participate without Korean-language assistance.

Information gaps in 2026 to check before the 10,000-won gift certificate

As of October 20, 2026, information about operations in rainy weather, wheelchair and stroller accessibility, and restroom and luggage-storage facilities had not been confirmed, while the participation fee, advance registration, and detailed timetable had been announced.

Because there is no information about the surface conditions or gradients along the route, wheelchair and stroller users may find it difficult to confirm participation before checking accessibility. Travelers who require English guidance should likewise confirm language support for the opening ceremony and games first. Those who cannot return late should avoid booking a same-day itinerary until they have checked the event’s closing time and the last transportation departing from Sancheong.

Before departure, check the official information for the October 24, 2026 opening time, participation fee and reservation method, transportation and parking, rainy-weather operations, accessibility, and availability of English guidance. Then choose a lunch restaurant in Sancheong-eup and proceed.

• Lunch in Sancheong-eup is described as a self-selected meal at a restaurant in Sancheong-eup.
• Can the entire lunch be paid for with the 10,000-won Sancheong Sarang Gift Certificate? — The gift certificate can be used in Sancheong-eup, but restaurant prices and the range of participating stores have not been announced.
• What happens at Hwanajeong? — Games and surprise-gift events will be held.
• Are there activities after the walk ends? — A picnic market and cultural performances will continue at Sancheong County Residents’ Neighborhood Park, where local foods, specialties, and handicrafts will be sold.