Gyeryongsan: 9 Official Trails, an 846.5 m Summit and 5 Free Car Parks

Gyeryongsan straddles the border between Gongju and Nonsan in South Chungcheong Province. It was designated a national park in 1968, and its highest peak, Cheonhwangbong, stands at 846.5 m. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the mountain's ridgeline was thought to resemble a dragon wearing a rooster's comb, which is how it got its name. There are 9 official trails, rated 5 moderate and 4 hard. None is rated easy, so it helps to pick your entrance and trail before you set off.

A mountain of temples and ridges

The main ridge runs from Cheonhwangbong through Ssalgaebong (828 m), Gwaneumbong (816 m), Sambulbong (775 m), Munpilbong (756 m) and Yeoncheonbong (739 m). Donghaksa Temple lies to the northeast, Gapsa Temple to the northwest and Sinwonsa Temple to the southwest. Gapsa holds cultural properties including a bronze bell designated Treasure No. 478. The tourism organization says 1,227 rare animal and plant species live here. Sunrise at Cheonhwangbong, snow-laden Sambulbong, autumn colours in Gapsa Valley and the moon over Nammae Pagoda are among the eight scenic views of Gyeryongsan.

Trails: 5 moderate, 4 hard

The times are those published for each trail. Allow extra for rest stops, weather and your own pace. "One way" means the time in one direction only.

Even the shortest trail takes 2 hours 30 minutes, so for a first visit the moderate Donghaksa Course 1 or Gapsa Course 1 is a sensible choice. Park data lists no mountain shelters, so plan long routes to finish before dark.

Parking: five free car parks within 880 m of Sutonggol

These public car parks are listed in Korea's national parking registry, measured from the Sutonggol visitor support centre. All five are recorded as free and open around the clock.

This is registry data and may differ on site. Car parks near the Donghaksa, Gapsa and Sinwonsa entrances are not in this list, so check them separately.

If you need a doctor

The nearest emergency rooms are Yuseong Sun Hospital (유성선병원), a regional emergency centre 4.7 km away, and Konyang University Hospital (건양대학교병원), a regional emergency medical centre 6.4 km away. Gyeryongsan Pharmacy (계룡산약국) is 0.1 km away and is registered as open on Sundays. Neulbom Pharmacy (늘봄약국, 1.2 km) and Girin Pharmacy (기린약국, 1.3 km) are not registered as open on Sundays. In an emergency, call 119. Twenty-five toilets are registered in the area.

Where to stay

There are 49 licensed lodgings within 3 km: 38 motels and inns, 7 residence-type, 3 hotels and 1 other. Pensions and farm-stay minbak are registered under a different system and are not counted here. The closest campsite is Gyeryongsan Gapsa Auto Camping Ground (계룡산 갑사자동차야영장), an auto-camping site 3.2 km away. Next are Gyeryongsan Glamping Dongwolsup (계룡산글램핑 동월숲, glamping, 3.9 km), Daejangi Land Farm Experience Village (대장이랜드 농촌체험휴양마을, 4.1 km) and Bestfield (베스트필드, 4.3 km), both general campsites.