Where the Breath of Seorak Lingers: A Refreshing Summer Record at Gowontong Valley (Gowontong-gyegok), Inje

Listening to the Sound of Water Told by the Forest

It was a morning that felt exciting for some reason, with the scent of the forest rushing in as soon as I opened the window. On the way to Hangye-ri, Buk-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, the massive mountain range of Seoraksan (Seoraksan Mountain) unfolds on both sides, making the stuffy air of the city feel like it has been completely washed away. Gowontong Valley (Gowontong-gyegok) is like a gem that appears unexpectedly on the road leading from Hangye Intersection (Hangye-samgeori) to Yongdae-ri. The first thing that greeted me as soon as I got out of the car was the sound of the roaring valley water. They say the water streams flowing down from Jinburyeong, Misiryeong, and Baetdam Valley (Baetdam-gyegok) all gather here, so it's no wonder the energy of the place is extraordinary.

Stepping down to the valley, the round pebbles and sandy bottom are clearly visible beneath the transparent water. Dipping my hands in, the icy coldness that chills to the bone washes away my fatigue in an instant. The strangely shaped rocks and lush forests surrounding the area are like a giant folding screen created by nature. This place, where the sound of the wind shaking the leaves is louder than the sounds of people, was the perfect resting place I had been looking for.

The Romance of Free Camping and Enjoying the Valley

One of the charms of Gowontong Valley is the free camping space provided next to the valley. Everywhere you go these days is crowded and costly, so it is just grateful that there is a place that offers the embrace of nature for free. As I set up my tent and sat quietly, the sunlight filtering through the forest reflected off the ripples of the water, sparkling. You don't need fancy equipment. Isn't it a piece of heaven to just spread out a picnic mat and bite into a slice of cool watermelon?

If you are planning to visit this place, I recommend targeting the early morning hours. The air in the valley is much fresher in the morning, and since it is before the crowds arrive, you can fully enjoy the tranquility of the valley water. In places where the water is not deep, try sitting with your feet dipped in, reading a book, or just spending time blankly listening to the sound of the flowing water. Since there are no artificial facilities, the way to cherish this place is to stay with a heart that respects 'nature as it is.'

Natural Landscapes Encountered in Inje

There are too many natural attractions nearby to just look around Gowontong Valley and leave. A short drive away, you can reach the grandeur of Seoraksan National Park, and the mysterious ecosystem of Daeamsan Yongneup (Daeamsan Mountain Marsh) or Daeseung Waterfall (Daeseung-pokpo) are also nearby. If you are with your family, I also recommend the forest walking course at Yongdae Natural Recreation Forest (Yongdae Jayeon-hyuyangnim). Inje is a place where the ridges of the mountains change their clothes every season, so it is a must-do to enjoy a drive at sunset after playing in the valley water and admiring the shadows of the mountains.

In fact, travel is comforting enough just by following the sound of water and staying wherever your feet take you, rather than making grand plans. As the time to return to daily life approaches, I feel very reluctant, but I set off with a heart lightened by the worries washed away in the valley water. Summer in Inje was that refreshing and deep.