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Myeongjisan Hiking Guide 명지산

Myeongjisan (명지산) is a 1,252 m mountain in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It is one of Korea’s 100 Famous Mountains chosen by the Korea Forest Service. Best known for azaleas, valleys and waterfalls, autumn foliage, snow scenery.

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

1,252 mHeight

ModerateDifficulty (approx.)

5 h 40 minShortest trail

−7.5°CSummit vs. base

🥾 Myeongjisan hiking trails

Gwimongni (귀목리) → Ajaebi Pass (아재비고개) → 1199bong (1199봉) → Summit → Sahyangbong Anbu (사향봉 안부) → Valley Junction (계곡 삼거리) → Ikgeulli (익근리) 5 h 40 min
Ikgeulli (익근리) → Valley Junction (계곡 갈림길) → Sahyangbong Anbu (사향봉 안부) → Summit → Nambong (남봉) → Valley Sangbu (계곡 상부) → Myeongji Falls (명지폭포) → Ikgeulli (익근리) 6 h 10 min
Ikgeulli (익근리) → Gangbakbong (강박봉) → Sahyangbong (사향봉) → Summit → Nambong (남봉) → Seungcheonbong Anbu (승천봉 안부) → Baekdulli (백둔리) 6 h 10 min
Ikgeulli (익근리) → Myeongji Falls (명지폭포) → Valley Sangbu (계곡 상부) → Summit → 1199bong (1199봉) → Gwimok Pass (귀목고개) → Gwimokbong (귀목봉) → Gangssibong Pass (강씨봉고개) → Ildong (일동) 8 h 40 min

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 Myeongjisan

What	Usual peak (estimate)
🌸 Azaleas	late April – mid May
🍁 Autumn foliage	mid–late October

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.

🪨 Trail surface

Share of surveyed trail points by surface type. Lots of stairs or rock? Bring hiking poles and gloves.

dirt path58%

paved21%

rocky scree14%

stairs3%

ridge scramble1%

other1%

Surface data: Korea Hiking & Trekking Support Center (data.go.kr)

🌅 Sunrise & sunset by month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sunrise	07:45	07:21	06:43	05:56	05:21	05:07	05:19	05:45	06:11	06:37	07:10	07:39
Sunset	17:33	18:08	18:37	19:05	19:32	19:54	19:53	19:25	18:40	17:54	17:20	17:12

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

Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do · 675 mGamaksan 감악산

Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do · 658 mGeomdansan 검단산

Gyeonggi-do · 582 mGwanggyosan 광교산

Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi-do · 588 mSoyosan 소요산

Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do · 638 mYebongsan 예봉산

Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do · 1,157 mYongmunsan 용문산

🙇 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 (명지산 등산코스)

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