munboksan 문복산

(pREVIOUSLY iNCLUDED IN Yeongnam Alps 9 Peaks 영남알프스 9 봉)

1014.7meters

4.4km return

📍trailhead

When I completed the Yeongnam Alps Challenge in 2022, there were 9 peaks required. As of the time of this writing (2023) Munboksan has been dropped from the list. Regardless, since it’s a hike I’ve done, I wanted to include a post about it for my memories and perhaps anyone who is looking for information on it.

To start, here are some basics from my garmin info:

Although I generally love hiking all mountains, this one was my least favorite of the 9 peaks challenge, and not one I’d really recommend. The peak itself lacked any sort of clear view. But with that said, if you take the short detour off the main trail (which luckily I did) you’ll be in for a treat at 드린바위. More on that later!

On the day I hiked it, I was headed to Gyeongju with Andrew and Stef for a weekend trip so they could run a 10km race. I wanted to get another mountain in, and since I knew this one wouldn’t take too long, they agreed to go check out the nearby cable car in Miryang and grab a coffee while I hiked. They dropped me off on the road across from the trailhead. There were several cars parked on the main road, as well as leading to the actual trailhead.

As you’re walking through the small village on the way to the trailhead, you can see the mountain ahead and get a nice view of 드린바위.

You’ll walk on a trial past some houses at the end of the village and then enter a trail on the right once in the woods. There is plenty of signage, so you can’t get lost.

After hiking up for 1.6 kilometers, you’ll see a sign pointing to 드린바위 on the left. If you are going to visit the rock, I strongly suggest you do it on the way up (not the way back) because it’s hard to see the connecting trail later and will be very difficult to climb down, rather than up.

It’s an easy enough trail to follow, but eventually you’ll reach a rocky cliff section with some ropes to hold onto as you climb up. I was a bit nervous attempting this alone, especially since there were no other hikers around, but I gave it a go and hoped for the best.

Soon after that, you’ll climb up to the rock (드린바위) itself, and here is where the best views of the hike most definitely were.

After that, I headed back off the rock and followed the trail leading to the peak. It was a bit confusing at times, but if you take your time you will be able to get back to the main trail and merge with the other hikers heading to the peak.

From here, it’s only a few more steps to the top where you’ll be treated to…a summit stone with not much of a view.

Regardless, this was a requirement for the Yeongnam Alps, and I’m glad I hiked it (mostly for the sake of seeing 드린바위).

Finally, this last pic has nothing to do with the mountain, but it was part of my memories so I’m including it here. As waited I for Andrew and Stef to return to pick me up I went for a walk up the road a little ways and stumbled upon this masterpiece.

It was a strange, but interesting end to my Munboksan adventure.