Yongchugyegok Valley

Located in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, this picturesque valley takes its source from the 900-meter high Kalbongsan Mountain, winding around Ongnyeobong Peak. Stretching over 24 km, it is home to nine remarkable sights, earning it the nicknames "Nine Okgye Valleys" and "Nine Yongchu Valleys." Blanketed by pine nut forests, the valley’s clear waters flow past rocky walls and ridges, forming natural pools along its course. A notable highlight is the 5-meter tall Yongchupokpo Falls about 6 kilometers upstream, accompanied by a legend of a dragon’s ascent to heaven; a deep groove in the adjacent sloping rock is believed to be the dragon’s resting spot. Flanked by Yumyeongsan, Jungmisan, and Eobisan Mountains, the valley offers an excellent short hiking route for a half-day excursion.