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Wolchulsan Hiking Guide 월출산

Wolchulsan (월출산) is an 811 m mountain in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. It is one of Korea’s 100 Famous Mountains chosen by the Korea Forest Service. Best known for valleys and waterfalls, silver grass, rocky ridges.

Wolchulsan mountain, Korea — Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1 (attribution)

811 mHeight

ModerateDifficulty (approx.)

2 h 20 minShortest trail

−4.9°CSummit vs. base

🥾 Wolchulsan hiking trails

Cheonhwangsa (천황사) → Gureumdari (구름다리) → Summit → Baram Falls (바람폭포) → Cheonhwangsa (천황사) 2 h 20 min
Cheonhwangsa (천황사) → Baram Falls Junction (바람폭포 갈림길) → Cheonhwangbong (천황봉) → Baramjae (바람재) → Gujeongbong (구정봉) → Miwangjae (미왕재) → Dogapsa (도갑사) 3 h 50 min
Dogapsa (도갑사) → Miwangjae (미왕재) → Gujeongbong (구정봉) → Summit → Geumnyonggyeongpodae (금룡경포대) → Gyeongpodae Ticket Office (경포대 매표소) 4 h 40 min
Bultijae (불티재) → Nuritjae (누릿재) → Dalgubong (달구봉) → Summit → Gujeongbong (구정봉) → Maaeyeoraejwasang (마애여래좌상) → Gujeongbong (구정봉) → Miwangjae (미왕재) → Dogapsa (도갑사) 10 h 30 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 Wolchulsan

What	Usual peak (estimate)
🌾 Silver grass	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 path33%

stairs27%

paved16%

bridges10%

rock ridge6%

rocky scree6%

rope sections3%

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	07:40	07:20	06:46	06:03	05:31	05:19	05:30	05:53	06:15	06:38	07:07	07:33
Sunset	17:44	18:15	18:40	19:04	19:28	19:47	19:48	19:23	18:42	17:00	17:29	17:24

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

Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do · 700 mDuryunsan 두륜산

Dong-gu, Jeollanam-do · 1,187 mMudeungsan 무등산

Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do · 724 mCheongwansan 천관산

🙇 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 (월출산 등산코스)

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