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Jirisan Hiking Guide 지리산

Jirisan (지리산) is a 1,915 m mountain in Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. It is one of Korea’s 100 Famous Mountains chosen by the Korea Forest Service. Best known for royal azaleas, wildflowers, valleys and waterfalls, autumn foliage.

Jirisan mountain, Korea — Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (attribution, no modification)

1,915 mHeight

HardDifficulty (approx.)

7 h 30 minShortest trail

−11.5°CSummit vs. base

🥾 Jirisan hiking trails

Seongsamjae (성삼재) → Nogodan (노고단) → Imgeollyeong (임걸령) → Norumok (노루목) → Banyabong (반야봉) → Hwagaejae (화개재) → Baemsagol ㉑ (뱀사골 ㉑) → Banseon ㉒ (반선 ㉒) 7 h 30 min
Jungsalli (중산리) → Kalbawi (칼바위) → Mangbawi (망바위) → Beopgyesa Roteori Shelter (법계사(로터리대피소)) → Cheonwangsaem (천왕샘) → Cheonwangbong (천왕봉) → Jungsalli (중산리) 8 h
Seongsamjae (성삼재) → Nogodan (노고단) → Imgeollyeong (임걸령) → Norumok (노루목) → Samdobong (삼도봉) → Hwagaejae (화개재) → Tokkibong (토끼봉) → Myeongseonbong (명선봉) → Samgakgoji (삼각고지) → Byeoksoryeong (벽소령) → Seonbisaem (선비샘) → Seseokpyeongjeon (세석평전) → Yeonhabong (연하봉) → Jangteomok (장터목) → Cheonwangbong (천왕봉) → Jungsalli (중산리) 15 h

Times are from the Korea Forest Service and include short breaks. If you are new to hiking, plan for 1.3–1.5× longer. Korean names are in brackets so you can match them to trail signs.

🗓️ Best time to visit Jirisan

What	Usual peak (estimate)
🌺 Royal azaleas	late May – early June
🍁 Autumn foliage	late October – early November

Estimated from Korea Meteorological Administration long-term averages, adjusted for the mountain’s latitude and height. Actual dates can shift 1–2 weeks each year.

🌅 Sunrise & sunset by month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sunrise	07:37	07:17	06:42	05:58	05:25	05:13	05:25	05:48	06:11	06:34	07:04	07:30
Sunset	17:38	18:10	18:36	19:01	19:25	19:45	19:45	19:20	18:38	17:55	17:24	17:18

Around the 15th of each month, Korea Standard Time. Be off the mountain at least an hour before sunset.

🗺️ Maps

Naver Map · KakaoMap · Google Maps

⛰️ Other mountains nearby

Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do · 764 mNaejangsan 내장산

Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do · 687 mMaisan 마이산

🙇 Hiking etiquette in Korea

Greet other hikers with a short “annyeonghaseyo” — it’s common on the trail.
Keep to the marked trail; many areas are closed for nature protection (fines apply in national parks).
Cooking, smoking and drinking are banned in national parks. Take your trash home.
Read more: Hiking etiquette in Korea

🇰🇷 한국어로 보기 (지리산 등산코스)

Data: Korea Forest Service (data.go.kr) · 100 Famous Mountains: Korea Forest Service · Locations: © OpenStreetMap contributors