Mudeungsan Mountain Provincial Park (무등산 도립공원), located adjacent to Gwangju City in Jeollanam-do, offers hikers a relatively easy hike that is rewarded with some great views at the top. Getting from the Gwangju Bus Terminal to the mountain is as easy as walking out the door and hopping on the right bus. There is a tourist information center in the middle of the terminal where you can get maps and details.

Tree on Mudeungsan

This was my second trip to Mudeungsan. I notice right away that the area at the entrance of the mountain had been renovated. A new parking lot lined with modern buildings with a North Face clothing store, other hiking equipment stores, and Korean food restaurants were getting their finishing touches put on them as I walked through the area.

Rocks and partial view of Gwangju

While the new facilities look clean and well designed, I’m saddened that the little shops that lined the path to the trail and gave the entrance a uniquely Korean feel were completely removed. I understand that the little shops were extremely run down and something needed to be done, however, I think they should have been rebuilt in the same fashion in order to preserve the special feeling they engendered.

My hike up Mudeungsan was taken on a cool, windy, gray cloud day. That made the hike one of the most refreshing I’ve ever been on. I especially enjoyed the gentle wind that seemed to never let up while I was walking along the nearly treeless ridges.

A trail that invites you to keep hiking

Despite not being able to see very far into the horizon because of the cool haze, the views I had that day were great. If you climb to the main peak, you can basically look down upon the surrounding peaks and ridges. I particularly like to be able to do that. You can also see the entire city of Gwangju. It never ceases to amaze me when I can see the stark contrast of a densely populated Korean city nestled in between numerous mountain ridges.

A beautiful rock outcropping

Mudeungsan is the kind of mountain that is easy to climb and then stay at the top while hiking to the various peaks and ridges that are along the trails. It feels like this kind of mountain invites hikers to keep exploring. Since I like this kind of mountain, I really enjoyed Mudeungsan.

On the other hand, I think hiking Mudeungsan on a hot and sunny day, without the breeze, would be a little more difficult. There really is no escape from the sun since there are very few trees at the top.

A solo hiker descending Mudeungsan

Sitting at my desk and looking back, Mudeungsan gets a recommendation from me. It’s a relatively easy hike that allows one to view Korea’s unique mountainous landscape and quite clearly shows to the hiker the unavoidable need for Koreans to build their cities in the spaces that nature provides.

Resources
Muduengsan Provincial Park (Korea Tourism Organization)

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