Hiking trail, viewing sunrise at Mount Jungmisan

Life in Seoul can be draining, even for the most dedicated urbanites. Sooner or later it takes its toll on city dwellers.

When that happens, one solution is a weekend getaway to relax and appreciate nature, yet not too much of a headache to reach. Jungmisan Natural Recreational Forest fulfills these conditions.

Acclaimed for its hiking trails, scenery and serene view of the sunrise, Jungmisan Mountain is located in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, and is 46 kilometers from East Seoul Bus Terminal ― about an hour’s drive. The facilities at the forest include two types of lodging, multiple campgrounds, a sports facility and several communal kitchens. A small entrance fee is required but there are discounts for large groups, and entrance and parking fees are waived for those staying at its relatively pricier log cabins.

There is a tour offered free-of-charge every year from March to December for all visitors, which not only shares basic forestry knowledge, but also systematically teaches how to explore the environment. This is excellent for letting children experience nature with all five of their senses.

The other program, offered March through June and again from September to November, is orienteering, the competitive sport that requires competitors to race through an unknown area with only a compass and topographical map. Aside from these recreational programs are activities such as ecological art and candle crafting.

Near the forest are also several tourist attractions such as the Morning Calm Arboretum, Cheongpyeong Lake, Yongmunsa Temple, Nami Island and Daemyeong Vivaldi Ski Resort.

By Kim Joo-hyun (jhk@heraldcorp.com)