Chiaksan National Park

Designated a national park in 1984, Chiaksan is one of Gangwon-do's defining mountains. Around its highest peak, Birobong, ridges over 1,000m — Sambong, Hyangnobong, Namdaebong, Cheonjibong — run north to south like a folding screen, and the Chiak ridge from Birobong to Namdaebong alone stretches 14km across a park of 182.09 square kilometres.

It was once called Jeogaksan for the red of its autumn leaves; the name Chiaksan comes from a legend about a pheasant repaying a kindness. Ancient Silla temples — Guryongsa and Sangwonsa — and the old fortresses of Yeongwon and Haemi are scattered across the slopes.

Valleys such as Guryong, Geumdae and Bugok are full of strange rock formations, and sights like Taejongdae, Guryongso and Seryeom Falls lie along the way. Trails branch in many directions, so you need not climb to the summit — a short walk along a valley is enough. Autumn colour and winter snow are especially beautiful.