Gyeyangsan Mountain계양산

About

At 395m above sea level, Gyeyangsan Mountain is the highest peak in Incheon outside of Ganghwado Island. The name is said to come from the cinnamon trees (gyesu) and boxwood (hoeyang) that grow wild on the mountain. Ideal for a half-day hike from the Seoul metropolitan area and easy enough for beginners, it attracts many hikers. Another advantage is easy access by public transport, as the trailhead is close to Gyesan Station on Incheon Subway Line 1. There are nine hiking courses in total, taking anywhere from about 50 minutes to just over two hours. Many hikers start at Yeonmujeong, pass Palgakjeong Pavilion on the way to the summit, and descend along the ridge to the south. As the main ridge trail has no shade, the mountain is better suited to spring and autumn than summer. The Gyeyangsan barrier-free trail, linking Imhak Park and Gyeyangsanseong Fortress, allows people with disabilities and the elderly to climb the mountain with ease. Gyeyangsan also combines hiking with historical exploration. Points of interest include Gyeyangsanseong Fortress, built during the Three Kingdoms period and used through the Joseon Dynasty; the sites of Jaodang and Chojeongji, where Goryeo-era scholar Yi Gyu-bo once stayed; the Bongwolsa Temple site; and the remains of a beacon station. From the summit, you can take in a sweeping view of Seoul, including Gimpo Airport, to the east, and nearby islands such as Yeongjongdo and Ganghwado to the west.