FechTin Go · South Korea · Gyeongnam

Jirisan National Park

by eimoberg · CC BY 2.0

Korea's first national park, the largest massif on the mainland, with a ridge walk that takes three days.

Jirisan was Korea's first national park and is still the largest massif on the mainland: it spans three provinces, Cheonwangbong summit reaches 1,915 metres, and the main ridge runs more than forty kilometres — the walk Korean hikers treat as a once-in-a-lifetime obligation. Three days, sleeping in mountain huts you must book a month ahead. With only one day, go up from Jungsan-ri to Cheonwangbong and back. The mountain carries heavy history too: partisans hid here through the years after the war, and memorials still stand in the valleys.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Jirisan National Park?

May–June (azaleas) and October (autumn colour)

How long do you need at Jirisan National Park?

A full day to three days

What are the opening hours of Jirisan National Park?

The national park entry-time system applies: ascent opens at 04:00 (March–November) or 05:00 (December–February), and each section has its own turn-back time somewhere between 12:00 and 17:00. Check the trail-closure notices before setting out

Did you know

• Designated in 1967 as Korea's first national park.
• Cheonwangbong summit is 1,915m, the highest point on the Korean mainland.
• The main ridge traverse is about 45km and usually walked over three days.
• The park spans three provinces: Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk and Jeonnam.

Travel tips

• Mountain huts must be booked through the national park system and fill early.
• The usual day route is Jungsan-ri to Cheonwangbong and back, 9–10 hours.
• Summit weather is nothing like the valley — always carry a windproof layer.

Source: https://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/safe/acsCtrDtl.do?menuNo=8000340&rstId=0005

Updated: 2026-08-05