So I decided to hit the hills. Two weeks ago I had an impromptu hike after following the riverside path past Yuseong Spa. I wasn’t wearing proper shoes (I nearly trashed the cheap shoes I was wearing) but I got a taste of the outdoors and realised how much I missed it.

The previous weekend I was touring Seoul so I keen to don my trekking shoes (provided the weather wasn’t too bad!). I didn’t make up a specific plan, I just chose an area and pedalled off.

Saturday – Gyejoksan

I decided try a nearby mountain. After I crossed the river I started pedalling up a narrow, steep road to get to the car park. The gradient soon became too much (for the bike, not me!) and I had to push. I soon realised the ride back down was going to be a little bit terrifying because my bike has limited braking abilities. Eventually I got to the start and headed up.

From what I have experienced, gentle Korean hiking doesn’t exist. You are either climbing up a steep path or scrambling down trying not to lose your footing. My efforts where soon rewarded when I reached pagoda at the top of the first peak. I got a lovely (hazy) view of Daejeon and I wasn’t so far from the Guesthouse.

After taking some photos I headed for Gyejoksan and the Yellow Earth Road. The photos probably explain this “road” best. I enjoyed looking round the mountain fortress walls but I am very glad I wasn’t involved in lifting all the stones into place!

I eventually headed home with my bike squealing in pain from the descent to ground level.

Sunday – Sutonggol Mountain Valley

Getting to Suntonggol Mountain valley proved to be a fairly epic challenge. I was a third of the way there when I got a puncture! After buying a pump in Homeplus and failing to understand how Korean valves work I had to head to a bike shop. Although the owner does not speak English he is very helpful. He refused to accept money for the help he gave me reinflating the wheel. I found out a few days later both the tire and inner tube where wrecked so I returned for a proper repair job (He charged a very reasonable 30000 won)

Despite having GPS and maps on my phone, finding the exact location wasn’t easy. I followed a road where lots of cars were going. When I got to an entrance a (Korean) woman asked me if I was “here to buy an appartment”? I was not!

After retracing my steps and trying a different road I eventually found the valley. Unfortunately the rain started and soon got very heavy. Unlike Scotland the temperature was high enough that I didn’t get cold despite being very wet. I continued on and I did a full walk but the views were greatly obscured.