The Reason 690,000 Trees Were Planted at 800m Wondaebong Peak: Inje Whispering Birch Forest

Planting 690,000 Birch Trees on Wondaebong Peak (1989–1996) After Pine Gall Midge Damage

Inje Birch Forest was originally a pine forest. After damage from pine gall midges became severe, the Korea Forest Service cut down the pine trees and planted approximately 690,000 birch trees across 138 hectares in the Wondaebong area from 1989 to 1996. As a result of birch trees, which thrive in cold climates, taking root in the mountainous regions of Inje, the current white-bark colony was formed.

Currently, the Korea Forest Service information page lists the birch forest area used by visitors as 15 hectares. Among them, the 6-hectare colony planted in 1992 was selected as one of the Korea Forest Service's "100 Masterpiece Forests" in 2012. The nickname "Whispering Birch Forest" came from the sight of birch leaves fluttering in the wind near 800m above sea level on Wondaebong Peak.

3.2km from the Information Center: Calculate the First 60 Minutes as an Uphill Hike, Not a Stroll

The starting point is the Birch Forest Information Center at 760 Jajaknamusup-gil, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do. It is 3.2km from the parking lot to the pure white colony, which takes about 60 minutes based on Korea Forest Service standards, and 50 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on walking speed and adaptation to the slope. Including the time to look around the forest and descend, it is not a place for a short visit.

If it is your first time, the simplest option is to reach the colony and connect to Course 1 (Birch Course, 0.9km, approx. 50 mins). Since Course 2 is 1.5km (approx. 90 mins), Course 4 is 3.0km (approx. 120 mins), and Course 6 is 2.24km (approx. 1 hour 50 mins), you should not choose a long course right before the entry deadline. According to Korea Forest Service guidance in August 2026, Course 3, Course 7, and the Dalmajisup (Moonlight Forest) Course are restricted until further notice.

• Course 1 (Birch Course): 0.9km, approx. 50 mins, concentrated birch growth area
• Course 2 (Healing Course): 1.5km, approx. 90 mins, birch and larch section
• Course 5: 0.86km, approx. 30 mins, a section where you can see natural forest and birch together
• Course 6 (Hard Course): 2.24km, approx. 1 hour 50 mins

Entry Ends at 15:00 from May 1–Oct 31, and at 14:00 from Nov–Feb

During the summer season (May–October), operating hours are 09:00–18:00, and entry is only possible until 15:00. During the winter season (November–February), it operates from 09:00–17:00, with entry closing at 14:00. In August 2026, the summer schedule applies, so even if you pass the information center before 15:00, it is better to set aside separate time for the 3.2km uphill climb and the descent.

The forest is closed every Monday and Tuesday; however, if Monday or Tuesday falls on a holiday, it will operate normally. Entry to the forest is restricted every year from March 2 to April 30 for forest fire prevention, and the Korea Forest Service advises that additional restrictions may be implemented during heavy snow or rain. The main phone number 033-463-0044 and the official information page are the standards for checking restriction notices on the day of departure.

The official information page address is https://www.forest.go.kr/kfsweb/kfi/kfs/cms/cmsView.do?cmsId=FC_001146. This page provides seasonal closing times, restricted courses, and safety equipment standards, making it more direct for making entry decisions than a simple map search.

Free Admission and 5,000 KRW Parking Refund: Using the Inje Love Gift Certificate

Admission to the forest is free. However, the 2026 travel guide introduces a system where you pay 5,000 KRW for car parking and receive the full amount back as an Inje Love Gift Certificate. Rather than expecting facilities for meals or drinks inside the forest, it is more realistic to plan a route to use the certificate at a registered merchant in Inje-eup or Wondaeri after descending.

The official information center parking lot can accommodate 45-seater buses. Inje-gun's 2026 planning data also confirms a plan to create a parking lot near the Birch Forest Wood Culture Experience Center with a capacity for 2 buses, 27 regular vehicles, and 12 expansion spaces. For cars, set 'Wondaeri Birch Forest Parking Lot' or the information center address as your destination and factor in that the mountain trail starts from the entrance into your schedule.

• Admission: Free
• Car Parking Fee: 5,000 KRW
• Refund: Equivalent amount in Inje Love Gift Certificate
• Large Vehicles: 45-seater buses can park according to official guidance

Why Wondae Forest Road and Courses 3–7 Close During Snow: Crampons Are Required for Entry

The key variable in winter is freezing rather than the cold. The Korea Forest Service explicitly states that it restricts Wondae Forest Road and Courses 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 during snowfall or freezing conditions, and entry is not permitted without safety equipment such as crampons. In winter, hiking boots, crampons, poles, and gloves should be considered basic equipment, and you should keep in mind that maintenance of the toilets at the summit may be suspended due to freezing.

Accompanying pets, bringing in food, camping, smoking, and carrying flammable materials are prohibited. Violations within the National Forest, such as littering, smoking, or cooking, can result in fines of 200,000 to 1,000,000 KRW under the Forest Protection Act. While convenience facilities like the forest classroom, observatory, Indian house, wooden bridges, and wooden stairs are within the colony, the prerequisite for using them is the 3.2km forest road climb.

Accessibility information is concentrated near the information center and parking lot. There are 6 disabled parking spaces in Parking Lot 1, 1 in Parking Lot 2, and 5 in Parking Lot 3. There are no steps on the entrance access road, and there is a disabled toilet in the public parking lot. However, the mountain path leading to the colony is difficult to consider a wheelchair-accessible course due to its slope and distance.

How to Connect Inje Terminal Wondaeri Stop and Inje Speedium (13km) in One Day

For public transportation, use the Inje Intercity Bus Terminal as a base. In the Inje-Hyeonri bus data released in July 2026, Inje Terminal and Wondaeri are marked as stops on the same route. Since you must separately calculate the final section from the Wondaeri bus stop to the forest parking lot and information center after taking a bus toward Wondaeri from the terminal, it is safer to work backward from the entry deadline of 15:00 or 14:00 rather than the return bus time.

If traveling by car, you might consider grouping Inje Speedium rather than just seeing the forest and returning. The Korea Tourism Organization's recommended course suggests about 14 minutes (13km) by car from the Birch Forest to Inje Speedium, followed by about 38 minutes (43km) to Baekdamsa Temple. Since the schedule involves descending 3.2km from the forest and then traveling a long distance again, it is better to add only one place, such as Inje Speedium, on days when you choose a long exploration course.

This forest is not suitable for destinations where you just take a quick photo like a flat park. The round trip to the information center alone is about 6.4km, and even adding the shortest Course 1 accumulates walking time. Conversely, for travelers who are willing to endure the uphill climb to see the background of the plantation and the section where white bark is concentrated, the 6-hectare colony planted in 1992 is the most distinct destination.