After couple of holidays of Seol (Korean lunar New Year´s Day), I walked the Namtaeryeong old trail. A book, which I read few years ago, recommended this trail for good walking, so I have wanted to walk this trail. So I walked it today.

This monument says 'Namtaeryeong'. It is located between Seoul and Gwacheon city.

There is a monument at the entrance of Namtaeryeong old trail. It also says 'Namtaeryeong old trail' and it's origin and history.

The origin of Namtaeryeong:

Namtaeryeong old trail was only way to Samnam (3 southern provinces; Chungcheongdo, Jeollado, Gyeongsangdo) from Hanyang (old name of Seoul).

From here, people walked to southern provinces through Suwon and Anseong. In other way, people walked this pass to Sandangdong, Dongjakdong, Heukseokdong, and then they cross the Hangang (Han river) on ships to Hanyang at Noddle Naru (Noryangjin).

But originally, this pass was called "Yeowugogae" (a pass of a fox). When the King Cheongjo, who was a great king of Joseon dynasty, lived 1752 - 1800, went to the tomb of Sadosaeja, who was father of the King Cheongjo, Chenongjo asked the name of this pass to his official. Mr. Byeon, who was an official of Gwacjeon, answered that this pass was "Namtaeryeong", because he thought "Yeowugogae" was a vulgar tongue. "Namtaeryeong" means the first big pass from Hanyang to southern provinces. This is the legend about the origin of "Namtaeryeong".

Most of old trail was lost, so I could walk on very short trail today.

Steps to Gwacheon...

Gwacheonru.

An information of Gwacheonru

The entrance to the Namtaeryeong old trail. This picture was taken from Gwacheon side.

Short and quiet walk way

Trees are very photogenic.

All these pictures are taken with 20D and EF 35mm F1.4.  B&W mode Contrast +1, Sharpness +2, Filter effect: Ye