Aengsan 앵산
506.7 meters
4.8km return
📍trailhead
A beautiful, but often overlooked mountain. I have only visited this mountain three times, but the view at the top each time has left me wondering why I don’t hike this one more often. Since the first time I've hiked Aengsan there have been some changes in the area so I wanted to update this post a bit with current information, as of May 2020..
The trailhead starts in Hacheong-myeon. Park at the jjimjilbang (which I believe is abandoned and possibly becoming a type of car-wash, based on the overhead canopies in the parking lot currently.) Cross the street, and start walking up the hill towards the neighborhood. You will see the trail starting on your left before you get to the houses.
Enter the trail here.
After hiking for just a few minutes you will emerge at some construction for a new mountain access road. Walk on the road itself for about a minute and you will see the trail re-enter the forest on the right.
Walk up this hill a short distance past where the truck is parked in this picture.
Re-enter the trail here.
Next, you’ll complete almost the exact same step…walk through the woods for another few minutes and emerge on the same road as it has snaked its way up the mountain. This time, the trail re-enters the woods almost directly across from you.
Exit and enter…easy peasy.
From this point on, you will be following a steep path up the mountain. I’ve never particularly liked this trail. To either side are big piles of rocks that look like they’ve come down in a landslide. There are many more on the right then the left. During each hike here I’ve felt a bit uneasy seeing this. At least it kept me moving a bit quicker than I would probably hike.
Eeek!
The rocky path up.
After a while you will reach a clearing with some old picnic tables. These days, the grass here is very over-grown so be sure to wear tick spray and tuck your socks into your pant legs!
The crossroads leading to both Aengsan and Solbyeongsan. You will emerge from the right.
Sidenote: From this clearing, you can also hit up another peak: Solbyongsan (440m) while you’re here. Climb the steep 0.2km to get to the summit sign and cross another one off the list before getting back on the way to Aegnsan!
From the grassy clearing, to get to the summit, turn right and prepare for a steep climb with lots of stairs. From here, it’s just 0.5km to the peak!
Just a taste of the stairs to come!
Heading up to the peak of Aengsan is quite steep at this point. Once you are on the ridgeline you will come to a wooden sign. Turn left and head in the direction of Yugye-ri. You have just 0.18km to go!
Next, you’ll arrive at a wooden bench with a great view overlooking Gohyeon and the Samsung shipyards. (There is also a little rocky outcrop behind the bench to get a higher vantage point. This bench area is followed by one more set of wooden signs with another trail approaching from the left. Continue straight.
Overlooking Gohyeon and the Samsung shipyards from across the bay.
Tadaaa! There are truly some amazing views in every direction from the peak of Aengsan. Enjoy it before heading back down!
Alternate Routes
There is a trailhead in Seohang Village taking you 4.3 km to the summit from the opposite direction. I’ve also taken this route to Aengsan, but found it to feel just as steep as the Hacheong trailhead so I much prefer the shorter route. However, with this route, you’ll pass by Gwangcheongsa Temple so there is a nice point of interest on the way.