703 m, Eight Peaks, and a Trail Leading to Daeheungsa Temple

Understanding 703 m Duryunsan and its five townships reveals the park map

Duryunsan Provincial Park is located around San 8-1, Gurim-ri, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, and spans five townships: Samsan, Hyeonsan, Bukpyeong, Bugil, and parts of Okcheon. Its total area is 32.910㎢, comprising 7,330㎢ of a nature conservation zone, 24,720㎢ of a natural environment zone, and 860㎢ of a cultural heritage zone.

Duryunsan is a 703 m-high mountain, with eight peaks forming its ridgeline: Gauryeonbong 703 m, Duryunbong 630 m, Gogyebong 638 m, Noseungbong 685 m, Dosolbong 672 m, Hyeolmangbong 379 m, Hyangrobong 469 m, and Yeonhwabong 613 m. From the summit, visitors can look out over the archipelago of the West and South Seas, while warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees and temperate deciduous broad-leaved trees grow together.

From a national tourist site in 1971 to the backdrop of World Heritage designation in 2018

Duryunsan was designated a national tourist site on May 20, 1971, and a scenic site on September 2, 1975. It was subsequently designated Duryunsan Provincial Park on December 26, 1979. The park zone plan was revised on June 14, 2018, and the current area is listed as 32.910㎢.

At the heart of the park are the ridge connecting Daedunsan and the main peak, and Jangchundong Valley, which leads to Daeheungsa. Daeheungsa and its mountain hermitages, green tea fields, and the Jangchundong Forest Trail were inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 2018, making it possible to plan a short itinerary connecting the valley and temple rather than only a summit hike.

How to reach 154 Daeheungsa-gil from Haenam Bus Terminal

The address of the Provincial Park Management Office is 154 Daeheungsa-gil, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, and the main contact number is 061-530-5957. Official information directs visitors from Haenam Bus Terminal toward Daeheungsa. Buses from Seoul to Haenam take about 5 hours, those from East Seoul take about 5 hours 30 minutes, and those from Busan take about 5 hours 15 minutes.

Buses from Gwangju to Haenam take about 2 hours, while those from Mokpo take about 1 hour. Direct services from Gwangju are listed from 04:30 to 22:00 at 15–20-minute intervals, and express services from 06:00 to 20:30 at 30-minute intervals. Buses from Mokpo are listed from 06:00 to 21:00 at 20–30-minute intervals. The provided transport information does not include the exact local bus route number to the park or the walking distance from the management office to the trailhead.

Calculate free admission and paid parking separately

Admission to Duryunsan Provincial Park is listed as free as of January 1, 2021. However, separate fees may apply to cultural heritage zones and related facilities, so free park admission should not be interpreted as meaning that every facility associated with Daeheungsa is free.

Parking is available. Under the same fee schedule, compact cars cost 2,000 won, passenger and multipurpose vehicles cost 3,000 won, and buses cost 5,000 won. Daeheungsa has designated disabled parking spaces, but parking fees for visitors with disabilities are also listed as payable. It has not been confirmed whether the parking fees have been updated as of the current date or whether cash and card payments are accepted.

• Park admission: Free
• Compact-car parking: 2,000 won
• Passenger and multipurpose vehicle parking: 3,000 won
• Bus parking: 5,000 won

From a 2-hour Daeheungsa loop to a 4-hour-30-minute ridge hike

For a short hike, consider Course 4. This loop begins and ends at Daeheungsa via Bugam, Millennium Spring, and Jinbulam. It is listed as 3.95 km in total, taking 2 hours for general hikers and 1 hour 40 minutes for experienced mountaineers.

Course 1 runs from Daeungjeon through Bukmireukam, Osimjae, Noseungbong, Gauryeonbong, Millennium Spring, Duryunbong, and Jinbulam to Pyochungsa, covering 5.85 km. It is listed as taking 4 hours 30 minutes for general hikers and 3 hours 30 minutes for experienced mountaineers. Course 2 is also 5.85 km, taking 3 hours 30 minutes for general hikers and 2 hours 50 minutes for experienced mountaineers. Course 3 runs 4.35 km from Pyochungsa through Jinbulam, Millennium Spring, Maniljae, and Bukmireukam to Daeungjeon, taking 3 hours 30 minutes for general hikers and 2 hours 50 minutes for experienced mountaineers.

Open year-round, but do not enter the mountain within two hours of sunset

Duryunsan Provincial Park is listed as open at all times, year-round. However, the visitor guidance specifically cautions against entering the mountain within two hours of sunset. Thus, free access does not mean that nighttime hiking is guaranteed. Trails may be temporarily closed depending on weather, disasters, or management conditions.

The mountain is described as offering camellias in spring, dense forests and clear mountain streams in summer, and autumn foliage in fall. The silver-grass fields and archipelago views are characteristic of the ridge sections, so preparations should differ between an itinerary limited to Daeheungsa and Jangchundong Valley and one that continues to the summit.

Hermitages and tea fields that are easy to miss beyond Daeheungsa

In addition to Daeheungsa, the park includes Iljiam, Jinbulam, Cheongsinam, Nammireukam, Bukmireukam, and the site of Manilam. Green tea fields, the Jangchundong Forest Trail, the Duryunsan Cable Car, and Duryunsan Maze Park are also introduced as related facilities and attractions, so it is more efficient to decide first whether temples, forest trails, viewpoints, or activities are the priority.

The road leading to Daeheungsa is described as approximately 2 km long, with valleys and dense trees extending along both sides. The cable-car access route is described as step-free, but stairs must be climbed to use the elevator. Accessible restrooms are indicated in the public toilets near the rest area and bus stop, but access by subway and low-floor bus is listed as unavailable.

Pet, cooking, and drinking rules are enforced on site

Commercial activities, camping, parking, and cooking outside designated areas are prohibited. Activities that damage the landscape of the natural park or harm park facilities are also prohibited. Smoking outside designated areas and drinking throughout Duryunsan Provincial Park are not permitted.

Dogs, cats, and other animals may not be brought onto the trails. The park village zone and assistance dogs for people with disabilities are listed as exceptions. Fines for violations are 100,000 won for the first offense, 200,000 won for the second, and 300,000 won for the third. The available information does not confirm whether English guidance or audio guides are provided, or whether photography is prohibited on individual trails.

• Facility management: 061-530-5958
• Provincial park planning and Duryun Maze Park management: 061-530-5957
• Guidance and enforcement against illegal activities, and green tea field management: 061-530-5959
• Provincial park management: 061-530-5960
• Duryun Maze Park operations support: 061-532-0234