Woraksan National Park

Woraksan National Park is a mountain reserve in North Chungcheong that spans a large area with rugged landscapes, dense forests, steep rock walls, and ravines. The terrain is crisscrossed by extensive hiking trails that lead visitors through different elevations, offering both open viewpoints and shaded forest sections.

The area received protected status in 1984 as South Korea's seventeenth national park at a time when landscape conservation was gaining importance in the country. This decision was part of a broader movement to preserve the nation's natural environments during a period of rapid economic development.

Buddhist temples within the park serve as places of worship and quiet reflection, where visitors can observe traditional Korean architecture and daily rituals against a wild mountain backdrop. The monks and pilgrims who visit these sites give the location a spiritual presence that stands apart from the surrounding nature.

The area features marked hiking trails of varying difficulty levels and shelter facilities at several locations where visitors can take breaks. Good accessibility via public transportation from major cities makes getting to the reserve straightforward, especially on weekends and during peak season.

The reserve contains a remarkable variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the region. Botanists and nature enthusiasts still discover specimens on steep slopes and in remote valleys that are rare and carefully guarded.