Hwaaksan, Gapyeong: Gyeonggi's Highest Peak and Its Closed Summit
Off Map Korea English-guided walking trips through Korea. Quiet trails, hidden villages, slow moments. Driver-only, self-guided. ▸ Plan a trip Gyeonggi's highest mountain has a summit you can't stand on. Hwaaksan (화악산) rises to about 1,468 m on the border between Gapyeong in Gyeonggi-do and Hwacheon in Gangwon-do — the highest point in Gyeonggi Province. Its true summit, Sinseonbong (신선봉), is a military installation and closed to the public. Hikers stop at Jungbong (중봉), the middle peak just below it, and that is where this walk ends. That detail matters more than any other on this mountain. Military areas cover parts of the upper ridge, including the Eungbong (응봉) side to the east, which is strictly off-limits. Stay on signed trails, follow any instructions from soldiers near Jungbong, and do not photograph military facilities. How high is Jungbong? The Journal · Issue 09 Andong — the Confucian Highlands. A ridge, a village, a fire on th...