Another day, another mountain...
Up behind the big Gakwonsa temple and Gakwonsa temple you'll find a spider's web of hiking trails frequented by Cheonan's large population of middle aged hiking enthusiasts. Me and Ric decided to give it a go one sunny Saturday at the end of September.
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| Just what you need half way up a mountain, exercise machines and a hut complete with toilet roll! |
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| Chair shaped tree: like. |
After an intense but mercifully brief 25 minute climb we reached the starting point of four or five hiking trails which sprawled out in every direction. Deciding the right was as good a direction as any we headed off into the trees.
The path continued for around 3km, up and down the ridge of the mountain until we reached a clearing in the tree and a stunning view over Cheonan. I particularly enjoyed Mt. Taejo due to the lack of steep inclines (much kinder on the thighs!). It was a beautiful walk and it smelt of pine trees and autumn.
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| At the top of Mt Taejo |
Deciding once again to descend down the other side of the mountain (we'll never learn), we discovered a whole new part of Cheonan that we didn't know existed. First we came across the main offices for Kyobo life insurance! Half way up a mountain seemed a pretty random place to build your head offices but I must admit the view was great! Further down and yet more random Korean attractions: Taejosan park, a park exhibiting war planes, tanks, a sculpture park, pond, football pitch, badminton court and even a derelict artificial ski slope!
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| Random Taejosan Park |
How to get there?
To Gakwonsa and the start of our Mt. Taejo hike: take to 24 bus from opposite Shinsegae, get off at the last stop and walk up the hill.
To Taejosan Park: Take the number 15 from outside Shinsegae or the number 51 from Cheonan station and get off at the last stop.
