Daegu

7.1 km Connecting the Sutaeji Valley on Palgongsan, from Donghwasa Terminus to Buinsa

Daegu Olle Palgongsan Course 8, the Sutaeji Valley Trail, is a 7.1 km loop trekking course that runs from the Donghwasa cluster facilities district through Sutaeji, Dongchigol, Neoreukbawi, and Imaljae to Buinsa. After opening in August 2010, the route was adjusted in July 2011 so it could be walked year-round, and the road-lined section and the valley footpath section are distinctly different in character.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Aug 7, 2026 20 min 631

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From a Temporary Path in August 2010 to a Permanent Course in July 2011

The Daegu Olle Palgongsan Course 8 Sutaeji Valley Path opened in August 2010. Initially, it was a temporary summer-only course, but after revising the section in July 2011, it became a path that can be walked in any season. The official tourist guide distance is 7.1km, and the standard duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The starting point of this path is the Donghwasa Tourist Complex at 1, Donghwasa 1-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu. Starting from the Donghwasa Terminal bus stop, the route follows the Palgongsan Circular Road tree-lined path, Sutaeji Reservoir, Dongchigol Parking Lot, Neoreokbawi Rock, the Buinsa/Seobong junction, Imaljae, and Buinsa Temple before returning toward the starting point.

Official Guide Distance: 7.1km
Official Standard Time: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Opened: August 2010
Converted to Permanent Use: July 2011
Type: Trekking/Circular Route

대구올레 팔공산길 안내 자료에 실린 팔공산 풍경입니다. — The landscape of Palgongsan Mountain featured in the Daegu Olle Palgongsan Trail guide. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

7.1km Route Connecting Donghwasa Terminal, Sutaeji, and Dongchigol Parking Lot

The initial part of the course leads from the Donghwasa Tourist Complex and the Daegu Citizen Safety Theme Park toward the Palgongsan Circular Road. The section up to Sutaeji consists mostly of tree-lined roads, while the area behind the Dongchigol Parking Lot takes on a stronger character of valleys and forest paths. Since the course does not consist solely of mountain trails from the start, it is best to reflect in your schedule that the walking sensation differs between the road and trail sections.

The section passing the Dongchigol Parking Lot and ascending to Neoreokbawi Rock is guided as a somewhat difficult uphill climb in official materials. Imaljae is the point where the Sutaegol hiking trail and the Buinsa hiking trail meet, marked as a rest area with a tree struck by lightning. There are wide, flat rocks that can be used as a spot for snacks and rest, but for safety, it is best not to stay too long, considering the descent and bus times.

Start/End: Donghwasa Tourist Complex
Via: Sutaeji Reservoir, Dongchigol Parking Lot, Neoreokbawi Rock
Junction: Intersection of Buinsa and Seobong hiking trails
Rest Area: Around the lightning-struck tree at Imaljae
Restrooms: Guidance on using Buinsa Temple restrooms

대구올레 팔공산 8코스 방문 기록에 소개된 수태지 계곡길 구간입니다. — The Sutaeji Valley Path section introduced in the Daegu Olle Palgongsan Course 8 visit records. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

From Neoreokbawi to Imaljae, Sections Where Plans Must Change if it Rains

Since the Sutaeji Valley Path follows a valley, you can expect forest shade even in summer, but the advantage of being a valley path becomes a hazard during rain. Official guidance states that the section passing Neoreokbawi from the entrance of the Sutaeji Valley Path can be dangerous due to rising water if it rains. If rain is forecast or has already fallen, it is necessary to exclude this section from your itinerary.

Mobile phone reception may not be smooth in some sections, so walking with a companion is recommended rather than going deep alone. The officially recommended age is 5th grade of elementary school and above. Trekking shoes with non-slip soles are more suitable than regular sneakers, and when resting near valley rocks, it is better to choose a dry, flat surface rather than the edge of the water.

Rain Caution Section: Sutaeji Valley Path Entrance ~ Neoreokbawi Rock
Communication Note: Possible poor mobile reception in some sections
Official Recommended Age: 5th grade (elementary) and above
Essential Preparation: Water, snacks, non-slip shoes
Companion Recommended: Due to valley terrain and weak communication areas

수태지 계곡길 후기에서 소개된 계곡 주변 트레킹 구간입니다. — The trekking section around the valley introduced in the Sutaeji Valley Path reviews. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Reading the History of the Path at Buinsa Temple, Where Memories of the Chojo Daejanggyeong Remain

The cultural and historical core of Course 8 is Buinsa Temple. Daegu tourism materials estimate that Buinsa was founded during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Shilla and introduce it as a temple where about 2,000 monks once practiced. This is why the course does not just end with walking through a valley but involves encountering Buddhist relics on the northeastern slopes of Palgongsan Mountain.

Buinsa is known as the place where the Chojo Daejanggyeong (First Edition of the Tripitaka Koreana) was carved and stored. The Chojo Daejanggyeong is guided as being about 200 years older than the Tripitaka Koreana (Palman Daejanggyeong), though most of it was lost during the Mongol invasions. The 1,715 surviving printing blocks are kept at Nanzen-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Within the grounds, Shilla-era flagstaff supports (Dangganjiju), twin pagodas, stone lanterns, stone lantern bases, a rock-carved seated Buddha, and prayer stones are mentioned.

Estimated Foundation of Buinsa: During the reign of Queen Seondeok of Shilla
Historical Record: Carving and storage of the Chojo Daejanggyeong
Existing Chojo Daejanggyeong Prints: 1,715 blocks
Storage of Existing Prints: Nanzen-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan
Cultural Heritage Stop on the Course: Buinsa Temple

수태지 계곡길 후기에서 소개된 부인사 주변 풍경입니다. — The scenery around Buinsa Temple introduced in the Sutaeji Valley Path reviews. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

How to Start from Donghwasa Terminal via Express 1 and Palgong 1 Buses

For public transportation, guidance is provided on how to access the Donghwasa Terminal bus stop toward Donghwasa using Express Route 1 and Palgong Route 1. Since the Donghwasa Tourist Complex is the official starting point of the course, first-time visitors will find it easier to understand the original 7.1km route by checking the signposts at the Donghwasa Terminal rather than setting Dongchigol Parking Lot as their direct destination.

Car users can also refer to visit records that use the Dongchigol Parking Lot as an entry point. However, since this is an option based on individual visit records rather than official parking capacity and fee information, parking availability cannot be guaranteed on weekends and peak seasons. Official materials do not separately specify parking conditions for the course itself, so it is better to check public transport or parking conditions near the Donghwasa Tourist Complex before departing.

City Bus: Express 1 (Geup-haeng 1)
City Bus: Palgong 1
Stop Name: Donghwasa Terminal
Official Start: Donghwasa Tourist Complex
Inquiries: Palgongsan Experience & Culture Program Operation Center 053-985-8030

Open Year-Round and Free, but Why You Should Finish Before Sunset

The Daegu Olle Palgongsan Course 8 is open year-round and is a free course with no time limits or entrance fees. No reservations are required. However, the lack of a time limit does not mean night hiking is encouraged. Since it includes valleys, uphill forest paths, and some areas with weak communication, it is appropriate to plan to finish during daylight hours, allowing more time than the official 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Spring and autumn are the officially recommended seasons, and due to the nature of the valley and tree shade, it can also be a choice for summer. Conversely, it is not suitable for departures immediately after rain, on days when rocks are wet, or when sunset is imminent. Individual walking records from 2022 and 2023 show cases where visitors used the Dongchigol Parking Lot as a starting point or spent between 2 to over 5 hours, demonstrating that differences in rest, detours, and starting points can significantly change the actual stay time.

Holidays: Open year-round
Hours: No restrictions
Entrance Fee: Free
Reservation: None required
Officially Recommended Seasons: Spring/Autumn

Allow for a Longer Day When Combining with Donghwasa and Palgongsan Course 7

Since the start and end point of Course 8 is the Donghwasa Tourist Complex, it is easy to connect with the Donghwasa Temple area. Daegu tourism materials guide Palgongsan Course 7 as a separate 8.2km course taking about 3 hours. Course 7 includes steep sections like the Kkaldak-gogae pass and the Pokpogol Valley round-trip section, so if you force a combination with Course 8 on the same day, the total walking time can increase to over 5 hours and 30 minutes.

The final road section returning from Buinsa Temple to the Donghwasa Tourist Complex is a point to re-check your physical condition and the weather after touring Buinsa. When walking only Course 8, it is practical to use the Buinsa restrooms and schedule snack times around Imaljae. If the valley ascent is burdensome or if you are accompanied by children below the 5th grade, it is better to choose only the short sections around the Donghwasa complex and Sutaeji rather than completing the entire course.

Link Candidate: Palgongsan Course 7 (Road to Pokpogol)
Course 7 Official Distance: 8.2km
Course 7 Official Time: Approx. 3 hours
Combined Distance (8 & 7): Approx. 15.3km
Combined Standard Time (8 & 7): Approx. 5 hours 30 minutes

Before You Go

Address: Donghwasa Tourist Complex, 1, Donghwasa 1-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu (Official Starting Point)
Hours: No restrictions
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Free
Phone: 053-985-8030
Official site: https://tour.daegu.go.kr
Transport: Use Express 1 or Palgong 1, get off at Donghwasa Terminal stop
Parking: No separate parking information in official course materials
Time needed: 7.1km, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers due to some uphill, valley, and rocky sections. Mobile phone reception may be poor in some sections.