National park · South Korea
Jirisan National Park지리산국립공원
Enter free and hike: pick one trailhead for the day — Jungsan-ri to Cheonwangbong (9–10 h round trip) or Seongsamjae to Nogodan (3–4 h) — start before 07:00 in Oct–Nov, and book a shelter bed weeks ahead if you want the ridge.Enter free and hike: pick one trailhead for the day — Jungsan-ri to Cheonwangbong (9–10 h round trip) or Seongsamjae to Nogodan (3–4 h) — start before 7:00 AM in Oct–Nov, and book a shelter bed weeks ahead if you want the ridge.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
320 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (320 km²)
approximate
Established
1967
Best months
May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
At a glance
- Country
- South Korea
- Area
- 320 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (320 km²)
- About 320 km² spanning South Gyeongsang, South Jeolla and North Jeolla provinces (check).
- Established
- 1967
- Best months
- May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Jirisan is South Korea's first and largest national park (1967), a 320 km² massif in the south spanning South Gyeongsang, South Jeolla and North Jeolla, with 12 peaks over 1,000 m along a 40 km ridge. Cheonwangbong (1,915 m) is the country's second-highest summit and the start of the Baekdu-daegan spine. There is no gate charge, so the real costs are transport, a ridge shelter bed and time: the classic summit day from Jungsan-ri runs 9–10 hours, while Seongsamjae to Nogodan gives high-ridge walking in 3–4 hours. Four trailheads — Jungsan-ri, Baemsagol, Seongsamjae and Ssanggyesa — let you pick a route by fitness rather than by bus luck. Asiatic black bears have been reintroduced here since 2004, the only place in Korea you might see one.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1967.
Size and age
320 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (320 km²) · national park since 1967
About 320 km² spanning South Gyeongsang, South Jeolla and North Jeolla provinces (check).
Why go
- South Korea's first national park (1967) and its largest, with 12 peaks over 1,000 m along a 40 km (25 mi) ridge.South Korea's first national park (1967) and its largest, with 12 peaks over 1,000 m along a 25 mi (40 km) ridge.
- Cheonwangbong (1,915 m) is the country's second-highest mountain and the start of the Baekdu-daegan spine.
- Asiatic black bears have been reintroduced here since 2004 — the only place in Korea you might see one.
- Four separate trailheads (Jungsan-ri, Baemsagol, Seongsamjae, Ssanggyesa) mean you can pick a route by fitness, not by transport luck.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulAvoid
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanDeep cold and ice on the ridge; some trails close (check)
- FebColdest month; ice above 1,000 m (check)
- MarMud and leftover ice; quiet
- AprCherry blossom at Ssanggyesa; cool ridge
- MayGreen, dry, long daylight
- JunWarm; rain starts late in the month
- JulMonsoon downpours; trails and streams flood
- AugHot and humid; typhoon tails
- SepClearing, cooler; still wet underfoot
- OctAutumn colour, clearest views, busiest weekends
- NovDry, cold nights, thin crowds midweek
- DecSnow and ice; short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asiatic black bearAll year · Reintroduced population; keep distance, store food properly. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Autumn foliage and migrating birdsOct–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Wildflowers and spring greenApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Leeches and mosquitoes in the valleysJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Busan
Buses from Seobu Terminal toward Jungsan-ri and Ssanggyesa, then a local bus or taxi to the trailhead; frequencies change — check current timetables.
3–4 h (check)
Open the page →
From Seoul
KTX or ITX-Saemaeul toward Gurye-gu Station, then a short bus to Gurye Bus Terminal and a local bus toward the park; confirm train times before booking.
3.5–4.5 h (check)
Open the page →
From Gurye
Local buses run toward Ssanggyesa and the Nogodan/Seongsamjae road; taxis cover the gaps. Schedules change — check locally.
30–50 min (check)
From Baemsagol
Intercity buses from Jeonju and local buses from Namwon Station reach the Baemsagol terminal, with the support centre opposite; check current services.
1–2 h (check)
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Jungsan-ri (west) | Main trailhead for Cheonwangbong; visitor centre, shops, lodgings. | Open; the shortest summit route starts here. |
| Baemsagol (north) | Valley route to Cheonwangbong via the Baemsagol and Piagol valleys. | Open; buses stop at the terminal. |
| Seongsamjae / Nogodan (northwest) | Road-accessed ridge with the easiest high-altitude walking. | Open; rest area and trailhead on the road. |
| Ssanggyesa (south) | Temple trailhead for the southern approach and the Ssanggyesa valley. | Open; temple charges a small entry fee. |
Sketch map
- 1Jungsan-ri trailhead · Gate≈35.292, 127.755Map ↗
- 2Cheonwangbong summit · Summit≈35.337, 127.731Map ↗
- 3Nogodan · Viewpoint≈35.294, 127.530Map ↗
- 4Seongsamjae rest area · Ranger station≈35.306, 127.511Map ↗
- 5Baemsagol terminal · Gate≈35.377, 127.581Map ↗
- 6Ssanggyesa Temple · Village≈35.232, 127.641Map ↗
- 7Gurye · Town≈35.207, 127.468Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the park, from the western trailheads to the Cheonwangbong summit, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No gate charge; Korean national parks dropped entrance fees in 2007 (check). |
| Ridge shelter bed (e.g. Jangteomok, Byeoksoryeong) | Free | person per night | Booked through the Korea National Park Service reservation system; the fee is set by KNPS and changes — check the current rate before you reserve. |
| Park-run campsite | Free | tent per night | Only at designated sites; rate set by KNPS — check. |
| Ssanggyesa Temple entry | Free | person | Separate from the park, at the south trailhead; the temple sets its own fee — check. |
| Local bus to a trailhead | Free | person | Gurye town buses run toward Ssanggyesa and the Nogodan road; fare and timetable change — check locally. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Ridge shelter bed permit or guide
Night hiking / restricted ridge sections permit or guide
Park rules
- No entrance fee
- Korean national parks have no gate charge; you pay only for shelters, camping and temple entry.
- Shelter booking
- Ridge shelters must be reserved in advance; walk-ups are usually turned away in season.
- Camping
- Only at designated campsites; wild camping on the ridge is not allowed.
- Fires
- No fires or stoves outside designated areas; fire risk closes some ridge sections.
- Bears
- Do not feed or approach; carry food in sealed bags and use food storage where provided.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gurye
Town base on the west side, close to Gurye-gu Station and Nogodan routes.
Near the park
Jungsan-ri village
Guesthouses and motels right at the main summit trailhead.
Near the park
Baemsagol area
Restaurants and lodgings by the north terminal.
In the park
Ridge shelters
Basic bunk beds at Jangteomok and Byeoksoryeong; reserve online.
Safety
Long summit day high
Weather on the ridge medium
Monsoon and typhoons medium
Ice and snow medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centres and the Seongsamjae rest area are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- The summit routes and most ridge trails are steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; shortcutting causes erosion on the steep ridge.
- Carry out all rubbish — there are few bins on the mountain.
- Reserve shelter beds rather than wild camping to limit impact on the ridge.
- Keep food sealed and never feed the bears.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jirisan National Park?
Nothing. Korean national parks have no entrance fee, so you pay only for extras: a ridge shelter bed (about ₩10,000–15,000 per night), a campsite (about ₩5,000–10,000), or Ssanggyesa Temple entry (about ₩3,000). Prices are 2026 estimates.
What are the best hikes in Jirisan National Park?
Jungsan-ri to Cheonwangbong (9–10 h round trip) is the classic summit. Seongsamjae to Nogodan (3–4 h) is the easiest high-ridge walk. Baemsagol valley to Cheonwangbong (10–12 h) is longer and quieter, often done with a shelter overnight.
When is the best time to visit Jirisan National Park?
May and October–November: dry, clear and comfortable. October brings autumn colour and the biggest crowds. Avoid July–August (monsoon) and January–February (deep cold and ice).
Do I need a permit to hike Jirisan?
No permit for day hiking. You do need an advance online reservation for a ridge shelter bed, and some high sections close seasonally for fire risk — check notices at the trailhead.
How do I get to Jirisan National Park?
Buses from Busan Seobu Terminal reach Jungsan-ri and Ssanggyesa. From Seoul, take KTX or ITX to Gurye-gu Station (2–4 h), then a local bus. A car is the most flexible option.
Are there bears in Jirisan?
Yes — Asiatic black bears were reintroduced from 2004. Sightings are rare. Keep your distance, never feed them, and store food in sealed bags.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go