Tongdo-ri Off The Beaten Path Tips by Intrepidduck

Tongdosa: Back Un Am Hermitage.

This makes a really nice rest stop while walking towards Yeongchug Mountain. In clear weather the views are wonderful looking SE towards Tongdo-sa and Tongdo-ri village. This quaint hermitage is one of about a dozen situated in the close vacinity to Tongdo-sa temple. Here one will find a wooden shrine and an ample supply of mountain spring water. Fill up here if doing the walk in warmer months.

Yeongchug Mountain: Hiking

Starting from Tongdo-sa temple one can walk up hill to the top of Yeongchug Mountain either by walking from the temple it's self or driving to some vantage points at the mountain's base. Walking to the summit should only be done when weather permitting. I actaully walked from the temple complex to the Back Un Am hermitage by taking the road leading west and then another road at a right hand turn running north to a car parking area at the SW foot of the Yeongchug Range. From here it is a steep, but clear trail up to the hermitage. From there one passes through forest along a narrow ridge to the main range of the Yeongchug Mountain. I only went as far as here due to snowy conditions, but it is 5 hours walking time to do the complete walk in a loop taking in the summit of Yeongchug Mountain, from and returning to Tongdo-sa temple.