From the Remnants of the Battle of Gongsan in 927 to Pagyesa, Hansilgol 9.4 km

The starting point of ‘The Road to Hansilgol,’ opened in July 2009, is the Battle of Gongsan in 927

Daegu Olle Palgongsan Course 2, ‘The Road to Hansilgol,’ is a section of the Daegu Olle developed and operated by the Daegu Green Consumer Network since 2008, opening in July 2009. ‘Olle’ is a Jeju dialect word meaning a narrow path leading from a main road to a house gate. This course connects the southwestern foothills of Palgongsan and village paths in a one-way route from the General Sin Sung-gyeom Memorial Site to Pagyesa Temple.

The area around the starting point, the General Sin Sung-gyeom Memorial Site, was the stage for the Battle of Gongsan in 927, where King Wang Geon of Goryeo and Gyeon Hwon of Later Baekje clashed. According to Daegu City’s guidance, Sin Sung-gyeom died in battle while wearing the King's clothes to save Wang Geon, who was in crisis. The Pyochungdan Altar at the site is explained as the place where he met his death. Since you explore the historical site first before entering the mountain path, the route feels more like walking through the topography of early Goryeo war history than a simple forest trail.

From General Sin Sung-gyeom Memorial Site to Pagyesa Temple: Course A (9.4km), Course B (5.5km)

Official Course A is a one-way 9.4km route in the order of General Sin Sung-gyeom Memorial Site → The Road to Hansilgol → Rest area → Sowon-mandi → Observatory → Yongjin Village → Former President Roh Tae-woo's Birthplace → Pagyesa Temple, with a standard duration of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. The difficulty is classified as ‘Moderate,’ so it is not as short as a flat stroll.

If you are short on time, you can choose Official Course B (5.5km), which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. However, as Course A and B designations are only provided with distance and time on the official page, it is safer to compare current signposts and on-site information boards before starting. For the long-distance Course A, a one-way plan to arrive at Pagyesa Temple and return by public transport is recommended.

• Course A: 9.4km, approx. 3 hours 30 mins, one-way
• Course B: 5.5km, approx. 1 hour 20 mins, one-way
• Official Difficulty: Moderate
• Official Recommended Seasons: Spring, Autumn, Winter

Three easy-to-miss forks at Sowon-mandi and Yeoljae Pass

Sowon-mandi, a key rest area on the course, is introduced as the ‘Hill of Wishes.’ Daegu City guidance notes that you can view Birobong Peak and Gatbawi from here. ‘Mandi’ is a Gyeongsang-do dialect word for peak or top. On-site reviews record exercise equipment and information boards at the Mandi athletic facility, and a flow of walking for about 7-8 minutes along a gentle forest road from Yeoljae Pass to the observatory.

After descending toward Yongjin Village, you must pay closer attention to the signposts. In records from May 2020, a fork indicating Naeji 3.2km and Seochon Elementary School 1.1km was introduced as the junction between Course 2-1 and Course 2-2. If you are heading to Former President Roh Tae-woo's Birthplace and Pagyesa Temple, check the 2-1 direction and read the destination on the signpost to avoid straying toward the Natural Dyeing Museum or Jung-ri Village.

Yeoljae was a Silla transportation route, now a pass meeting Wang-geon Path

Yeoljae Pass is a point that shows this course is more than just a path connecting mountain shelters. According to the Yeoljae information board cited in 2020 field records, it was a strategic transportation hub during the Silla period connecting Yeongcheon to Gunwi via Neungseongjae, Midae-dong, Yeoljae, Giseong-dong, and Yeoritjae. It is also estimated to be named ‘Yeoljae’ (meaning 'ten passes' or 'ten-person path') because it was wide enough for ten people to walk side by side.

In the same records, Yeoljae is guided as the endpoint of Palgongsan Wang-geon Path Section 1 and the starting point of Section 2. At the Yeoljae crossroads, several markers meet, including Yongjin Village Hall 1.4km, Deok-gok Intersection 1.7km, and directions for Nae-dong Village and Cheongnyeonsa Temple. As the official Olle direction is toward the observatory, it is best to prioritize the ‘Daegu Olle’ marker when it appears alongside Wang-geon Path or Palgongsan Dullegil signs.

Bus 101 starts at Jimyo-dong, Bus 101-1 serves the Pagye Bridge end point

Daegu City's official guidance suggests taking Bus 101 and getting off at Jimyo-dong to approach the General Sin Sung-gyeom Memorial Site, or taking Bus 101-1 and getting off at Pagye Bridge. If using the subway, the official guide includes a route of transferring to Bus 101-1 at the bus stop near Exit 2 of Ayanggyo Station on Daegu Subway Line 1.

If walking for the first time, starting from Jimyo-dong and walking toward Pagyesa Temple matches the official narrative order of the course. Conversely, starting from Pagyesa Temple requires reading the 9.4km in reverse and navigating the 2-1/2-2 split and the various signposts at Yeoljae backwards. Since bus schedules and road conditions can change, it is necessary to recheck the operation of 101 and 101-1 on the Daegu Bus Information System on the day of departure.

• Starting Access: Bus 101, alight at Jimyo-dong
• End Point Access: Bus 101-1, alight at Pagye Bridge
• Subway Transfer: Line 1 Ayanggyo Station Exit 2 stop → Bus 101-1
• Course Inquiry: Dong-gu Office Park and Greenery Division, Forest Recreation Team 053-662-3504

Open at all times and free, but commentary and return times should be calculated separately

Tourist information states that this path is open year-round and free of charge, with an inquiry number of 053-983-9798. The official course page also lists Daegu City Forest and Greenery Division at 053-803-8724 and Dong-gu Park and Greenery Division at 053-662-3504. While information confirms the walking path itself does not require reservations, mountain trail conditions may vary depending on weather and maintenance.

If visiting the memorial site at the starting point, cultural tourism commentators are on duty daily from February to November (excluding Seollal and Chuseok) from 10:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 in winter). Therefore, to listen to the commentary and complete Course A in 3 hours and 30 minutes, a morning departure is realistic. Official guidance does not confirm dedicated parking fees/spaces, full-section accessibility for wheelchairs/strollers, or the availability of foreign language guides. Since the path mixes dirt roads, forest roads, narrow trails, and inclines, it is not suitable for full-section use by wheelchairs or standard strollers.

Allow an extra hour or more when continuing to Roh Tae-woo's Birthplace and Pagyesa Temple

The latter half of Course A includes Yongjin Village and Former President Roh Tae-woo's Birthplace, with the terminus at Pagyesa Temple. Daegu City guidance introduces that cultural tourism commentary is available at Roh Tae-woo's birthplace and describes Pagyesa Temple as the Votive Temple (Wondang-sachal) of King Yeongjo, the 21st king of the Joseon Dynasty. Since the walking time of 3 hours 30 minutes is a baseline for movement, extra time is needed for an itinerary that includes visiting historical sites, the birthplace, and the temple.

The inquiry number for Pagyesa Temple is 053-984-4550, and the Natural Dyeing Museum is listed as 053-743-4300 in Daegu City's guidance. As 2020 records show that one can head toward the Natural Dyeing Museum and Jung-ri Village at the 2-1 split, those aiming for the Pagyesa terminus must repeatedly check the ‘Roh Tae-woo Birthplace · Pagyesa Temple’ direction. If physical stamina is a concern or if you are unfamiliar with village road junctions, choosing Course B or a section with clear round-trip transport is better than completing the full Course A.

• Pagyesa Temple Inquiry: 053-984-4550
• Natural Dyeing Museum Inquiry: 053-743-4300
• Recommended Start with Commentary: Before 10:00 AM
• Preparation: Sneakers or trekking shoes with good grip, water, outer clothing for rain or cold snaps, power bank