Hot and Challenging Cheonggyesan in Pocheon

When I first set out for Cheonggyesan in Pocheon, I imagined it would be as gentle as Seoul’s Cheonggyesan — but I was wrong. The higher I climbed, the tougher it became.

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Cheonggyesan in Pocheon stands at 849 meters, straddling the border between Ildong-myeon in Pocheon City and Ha-myeon in Gapyeong County. At the entrance lies the pristine Cheonggye Reservoir, fed by clear water flowing down from the valley. Even from a distance, the water looked clean and perfect for fishing. True to its name, the valley stream was crystal clear and abundant.

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After taking some photos of the reservoir, I parked the car nearby and began ascending along the decked trail. It was August — the sun was blazing, and the heat was relentless. Every summer feels hot, but this year felt extreme.

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Although parking by the reservoir was convenient and scenic, the heat was so intense that I regretted not driving a little farther up. If you plan to visit, there’s plenty of parking near Meongmeong Seokgalbi restaurant, so on rainy, snowy, or unbearably hot days, you might want to bring your car closer to the trailhead.

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There are two main stories behind the name “Cheonggyesan.” One says it was named after the mountain’s clear waters (cheong-gye meaning “clear stream”), while another says the name came from its eastern position relative to Ildong town — symbolizing the “blue rooster” in the traditional Five Elements philosophy.

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Cheonggyesan rises 849.1 meters above sea level. The hiking route typically starts at Cheonggye Reservoir. Since 1993, the area has been designated as an ecological and scenic preservation zone, keeping its valleys and forest in their natural, unpolluted state. However, access from the Gapyeong side is partially restricted because of nearby military training areas.

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Cheonggyesan

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There are two main stories behind the name “Cheonggyesan.” One says it was named after the mountain’s clear waters (cheong-gye meaning “clear stream”), while another says the name came from its eastern position relative to Ildong town — symbolizing the “blue rooster” in the traditional Five Elements philosophy.

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Cheonggyesan rises 849.1 meters above sea level. The hiking route typically starts at Cheonggye Reservoir. Since 1993, the area has been designated as an ecological and scenic preservation zone, keeping its valleys and forest in their natural, unpolluted state. However, access from the Gapyeong side is partially restricted because of nearby military training areas.

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As shown on the map, there are three main hiking courses. After consulting the guide at the entrance, I followed Course 2. The guide didn’t recommend Course 3 (marked in blue), which must have been even more challenging.

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This area is part of the upper reaches of the Jojongcheon River and has been designated as a natural ecosystem conservation zone alongside nearby Myeongjisan. Perhaps because of these preservation efforts, the trail has remained rugged and wild — and with the intense summer heat, it felt even tougher.

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To cross a clean stream, I had to step on the rocks — but a toad was sitting right in the middle of the path, blocking my way. It didn’t seem afraid of people at all and refused to move even as I approached. Quite the determined little creature.

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By the time I reached the signpost up ahead, I was already exhausted — and the rest of the trail was exposed directly to the scorching sun. Among two soldiers I met earlier, one had to give up and turn back due to a hangover from the previous night. A couple hiking together, chatting happily at first, must have turned back as well — I never saw them again. It was understandable; the climb was both hot and harsh.

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Whenever the sun blazed too intensely, I paused to wait for passing clouds to cast some shade. Giant hornets or wasps buzzed nearby, chasing me occasionally, adding to the stress of the hike. It was the complete opposite of the gentle, well-maintained Cheonggyesan trail in Seoul.

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On the way down, the path was overgrown and hard to see. I accidentally took a wrong turn once or twice. The stream water was so clean that I splashed my face and soaked my towel to cool off as I descended.

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I met a soldier from Yeoncheon on the way down and shared a cold drink with him. He said his friend, a lieutenant from Seocheon, had visited on his day off, and they’d gone hiking together after a few drinks the night before. Military stamina is truly something else.

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At the foot of the mountain, I stopped by a beautifully kept café surrounded by flowers. Before my drink even arrived, I gulped down a glass of ice water. The owner told me that Cheonggyesan is a difficult mountain — just last week, two hikers got lost, and one had to be rescued by the police after spending the night on the mountain.

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So if you plan to visit Cheonggyesan in Pocheon, make sure to stay on the marked trails. If you feel uncertain about the route, turn back and follow the path you came from.

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By the reservoir, you can spot a modern luxury house in the distance — it’s said to be a gift from G-Dragon to his father. Quite a stylish home in a truly beautiful location.

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