On a sunny day, we all want to travel to some place to relax ourselves. However, in fact, we have to practice social distancing for our daily life due to the Covid-19. If you feel bored staying home or need to take a breath in nature fresh air to refresh yourself, you should take visit to Soemisan Mountain.

Soemisan Mountain is located at Sajik-dong, Dongnae-gu. It is an easy-to-climb mountain with high 399 m which is perfect for beginners hiking course. There are many trails to choose as well in order to match your ability. If you have felt tired while hiking, you can go for the nearest path to return downtown. For today’s hike, I have started at Wongwangsa Temple in Sajik-dong and continued through the forest of residents and Cheolhak-ro to return to the base with a bottle of mineral water.

Soemisan Forest Trail Route

Wongwangsa Temple Entrance – Eco Experience Center 1 – Forest of Residents – Eco Experience Center 2 – Saneogwi Observatory –Stair of Hope – Mandeokgogae (Cheolhak-ro)

Begin from Wongwangsa Temple to the forest path with an uphill slope. However, once you overcome the challenge, then you’ll reach the point that you able to feel healing with the nature around. Moreover, the mountain has many rocks thus you’ll have to climb stone stair while hiking. Despite these, I had a delightful first hiking experience which thanks to the sunlight that shined through the leaves covering the sky as well as the beautiful wildflowers that accompanied me along the way.

Let’s take steps slowly along the hiking trail connected to the Forest of Residents. The fresh greens cover the bumpy soil path which can only be encountered during the summer like you are surrounded with nature aroma of forest. Besides, you can see pine trees stretching into the sky and a dense forest appeared. This pine tree is the famous pine habitat at this forest, where you can breathe in fresh air while sitting under fragrant pine trees.
There are two Eco Experience Centers nearby the Forest of Residents where you can experience and learn the ecological about frog and salamander colonies. Yellow Russian irises have also created a magnificent background as there bloomed along both sides of the wooden deck that is built across the marsh. It looks more beautiful as bloomed by the water.

Let’s head over to the Saneogwi Observatory by walking along the flat forest path after satisfying the view around. Even if you don’t reach the top of the mountain, you also can have a look of the downtown view. From the observatory, visitors can enjoy view of entire Dongnae downtown and Haeundae Jangsan. Enjoy the cool breeze while looking at the cityscape with your eyes is a happiness moment in your life.

Stair of Hope and Cheolhak-ro are the last destinations of today’s beginner’s hiking course. Climb down 400 wooden steps to reach the Cheolhak-ro, where you can see a path that is divided into a driveway and a sidewalk. Then, you can wrap up your day by walking along Cheolhak-ro and you’ll easily reach downtown where buses move around.

Enjoy the time of green and natural which able to heal your daily life. A short hiking course may be the activity that what you need to relieve stress brought by the current situation.
Let’s be healthy and stay safe!