Chiaksan National Park

Chiaksan Mountain extends southward from Korea’s Taebaeksan Mountain Range into Wonju-si. Known as the symbol of Wonju-si, Chiaksan Mountain was originally called Jeokaksan Mountain (赤嶽山) because its foliage turns the entire mountain red in autumn. The current name, "Chiaksan Mountain" (雉岳山), originates from a legend in which a scholar traveling to take his civil service exam saved a pheasant from a snake. Later, the pheasant returned to repay the scholar’s kindness, and the mountain was named "Chiak," with "Chi" (雉) meaning “pheasant.”

Chiaksan Mountain offers much more than its legends and autumn colors. It’s home to temples like Sangwonsa Temple, associated with the grateful pheasant legend, and Guryongsa Temple, which houses the Bogwangru Pavilion, a designated cultural heritage of Gangwon-do There is also striking natural sights, such as Sadari Byeongchang, a ladder-like cliff, streams cascading from Yeongwon Falls and Seryeom Falls, and the towering peaks of Hyangrobong, Tugubong, and Birobong Peak. Each season interprets beauty in its own way, spring offers azaleas, summer brings lush pine forests and cool streams, autumn paints the mountain in vibrant foliage, and winter’s snowscape is breathtaking.

Chiaksan National Park provides various hiking trails, each starting at an information center where visitors can check weather updates and essential safety information. The trail from the Geumdae Branch Office (Visit Support Center) to Namdaebong Course is the closest to downtown Wonju. It is highly recommended for first time visitors to Chiaksan Mountain because they can climb the Namdaebong Peak, the highest peak at the southern end of Chiaksan Mountain, while stopping by Sangwonsa Temple.