jwaisan 좌이산 415.8 Meters

7km return (approximately)

📍trailhead

Discovering Jwaisan: A Hidden Gem in Goseong

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you never see coming. Jwaisan was completely off my radar until recently, and I’m still shocked I hadn’t heard of it before! A chance encounter with another blog post introduced me to this hidden gem, and after seeing the stunning pictures, I knew I had to check it out. So, one Sunday morning, Merissa and I packed up and set off for Goseong, eager to see what this mountain had to offer.

Starting the Hike

There are multiple trailheads to choose from, but we opted for the southern one, conveniently located across from a small parking lot. The hike started off gently, with a relaxed and easy pace on a low-grade trail. Along the way, we passed by a few ancient burial mounds, a quiet reminder of the region’s history. Before long, the climb began, though it was short and manageable, leading us to a trail junction.

Our original plan was to head straight to the peak, but a side trail caught our attention. It looked so inviting that we couldn’t resist taking a short detour for some photos. That’s when we met an unexpected trail guide—an adorable dog named 구월 (Gu-wol) and his friendly owners. They recommended we take the scenic route, assuring us that it would still lead to the peak but in a more enjoyable way. With such enthusiastic local advice, we happily took their suggestion.

A Scenic Detour

The alternate trail was nothing short of fantastic. The beginning section, in particular, was easy, scenic, and incredibly peaceful. Skirting around the mountain, the trail offered picturesque views at every turn. We followed it all the way to the northern entrance before heading up to the peak.

The Final Climb

Once we veered off the circumnavigating trail, a short but steep 0.5 km climb awaited us. Thankfully, a few well-placed viewpoints provided the perfect excuse to pause, catch our breath, and chat with fellow hikers. The camaraderie on the trail was a welcome bonus to an already great hike.

Reaching the Peak

Reaching the summit was incredibly rewarding. The skies were crystal clear, offering breathtaking panoramic views. We couldn’t have asked for better weather! After snapping dozens of photos, we settled down to enjoy a well-earned lunch of ramyeon. There’s something about eating a hot meal with a mountain view that makes it taste even better.

At the summit, was a fire beacon post, an intriguing historical feature that added to the uniqueness of the hike. Used in ancient times as a signaling system, these beacons once relayed urgent messages across great distances. It was fascinating to stand in a place that once played such a crucial role in communication.

Descending Through the Best Views

Instead of retracing our steps, we completed the loop by descending on the original trail. To our surprise, this section turned out to be our favorite part of the hike. The path wound past rocky outcrops and even more stunning viewpoints, each one seemingly better than the last. One particular rocky perch, with its unobstructed views, ended up being the highlight of the entire experience.

Eventually, we rejoined the initial trail and made our way back to the car, feeling completely satisfied with our spontaneous adventure.

Distance and Trail Variability

One thing to note about this hike is that the total distance can vary depending on the chosen route. I had paused my activity tracker at one point, which made it seem like we had covered more than 7 km. However, when adding up the distances from the trail signs, the total appeared to be less. Based on our route and the available signage, the actual distance may be a bit shorter than what my tracker recorded. That said, the variability in distance depends on which course you choose, so keep that in mind when planning your hike!

Final Thoughts

Jwaisan turned out to be an incredible discovery, and I can’t believe I hadn’t visited sooner. If you’re looking for a hike that offers beautiful scenery, an enjoyable trail, and rewarding views without being overly strenuous, Jwaisan should definitely be on your list. Sometimes, the best places are the ones you stumble upon by chance—and this mountain was one of them.