A Record of Winter That Feels Like Walking on Clouds, A Dazzling Morning at Gyebangsan (Pyeongchang)

Cold Air Touching the Toes, a Season Beginning at Unduryeong

The road to Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, while cutting through the dawn air, is always a mix of excitement and tension. When I arrived at Unduryeong (1243, Unduryeong-ro, Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do), the gateway to the 1,577m-high Gyebangsan, the older brother of Odaesan National Park, the first thing to greet me was the sharp, clean breeze brushing against my cheeks. Perhaps because of the high altitude, the refreshing feeling that permeates deep into the lungs is on a different level from city air, clearing the mind.

The true charm of winter hiking is undoubtedly the sound of 'crunching' snow beneath your feet. There is no need to rush on the path from the Unduryeong rest area toward the summit. As you hike along the gentle ridges, the sunlight filtering through the trees begins to paint pictures on the snow, and walking amidst that scenery makes you feel as if you have become a part of the mountain itself.

A Yew Tree Habitat Where Time Seems to Have Stopped, and the Panoramic View from the Summit

One of the joys of walking on Gyebangsan (Mt. Gyebang) is encountering nature that shows a different face every season. The yew tree habitat encountered after passing the ash tree forest creates a mysterious atmosphere, as if time has stood still. Looking at the strange shapes of the trees that have endured hundreds of years, one cannot help but bow their head in respect to the greatness of life that has silently stood its ground.

The scenery that unfolded before my eyes when I reached the summit was enough to wash away all the fatigue I had felt. The grand panorama of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, stretching from Seoraksan (Mt. Seorak) to Odaesan (Mt. Odae) and Taegisan (Mt. Taegi), was truly like a watercolor painting drawn by nature. Standing on the open observation deck and watching the mountain ranges layer upon layer, the worries of the world felt like tiny dots. A warm cup of tea sipped while catching one's breath at the summit—it was a moment where the warmth felt sweeter than anything else.

A Traveler's Perspective on Enjoying Gyebangsan More Deeply

Gyebangsan features a trail with a total distance of approximately 8.9km. I would like to recommend Course 1, which starts at Unduryeong, passes the summit, and descends through the yew tree habitat. For those less experienced in hiking, you might also enjoy the gentle ridges via Course 2. You know that hiking boots are essential, and because it is a high-altitude area, packing a windbreaker or extra clothing to prepare for sudden weather changes is a must, right?

The best time to visit is undoubtedly early morning. If you watch the sea of clouds starting from below the mountain and observe the sparkle as the sunlight begins to shine on the snow at the summit, you can feel a sense of clarity deep within your heart. Slowly exploring the Lee Seung-bok Birthplace or Gwondaegam Rock on the way down is also one of the ways to fully enjoy the time at Gyebangsan. I imagine the scenery of a spring day when the Asian fawn lily (Erythronium japonicum) is in full bloom for my next visit to Gyebangsan, where you can feel the broad embrace of Pyeongchang.