Looking for a small, relaxed way to spend your day close to home in Pyeongtaek-si? Try this relaxing Ma an-san hike itinerary.
About Hiking in Korea
Koreans view hiking as a national pastime. However, hiking in Korea may look different than hiking in your home country. Let’s take a look at some of the differences that may catch you off guard when you get started.
Definition of Mountain
In Korea “mountain” (산) means just about any rise in the ground. For many English speakers, it can be confusing since we linguistically and conceptually distinguish between mountains and hills. You may feel “lied to” when you arrive to hike a mountain and discover it’s just a small hill.
Definition of Hike
A “hike” in South Korea could be anything from a leisurely stroll through a park to a terrifying mountain ascent. Just go with it. Leave your expectations behind and try to enjoy each surprise experience as it occurs.
Trail Maintenance
Korea’s most popular hikes may be mostly stairs or highly groomed paths. For ‘wild’ hikers this may feel like a letdown as it creates a relaxed and cozy little walk that doesn’t feel much like a hard-days hike.
A Social Endeavor
In other countries hiking might be seen as a quiet rural experience that you do mostly alone. However, in South Korea hiking often exists as a community activity which means you spend a lot of time with people. During fall colors the famous hikes may be packed with people from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the mountain.
This experience may sound terrible to some, but it’s actually quite lovely. It’s a time to bond with our friends and the wider culture. This experience of “going together” may even become something that you deeply look forward to each year.
About Hiking in Pyeongtaek
Pyeongtaek has no difficult hikes. All of the hikes are easy for most levels. Pyeongtaek hikes also tend to be a bit more ‘wild’ than the popular hiking areas since they are only visited by local hikers out to enjoy a bit of forest time with family and friends.
About the Geography of Pyeongtaek-si
Pyeongtaek-si sits on the southern border of Gyeonggi-do. Historically known as a farming region, Pyeongtaek-si has very few hills. Instead, the region consists mostly of flat sprawling farmland and industrial campuses.
That said, the east border of Pyeongtaek-si marks where the mountains begin and extend east through Anseong. You can find a variety of moderate hikes which extend into the neighboring provinces. Just check Naver Maps to see the different trails and trailheads.
Todays Recommended Hike Ma an-san
Today’s itinerary looks at a small Ma an Mountain area near Pyeongtaek Lake. This hike provides a few different short, relaxing trails. If you stay on the ridge the hike doesn’t get difficult. However, you can raise your heart rate by hiking down toward the lake and then back up again.
Who will enjoy this hike?
Generally speaking, we would recommend driving from another area to hike this mountain but if you live nearby it’s a perfect day out. Especially for families, a relaxed date, or just fun with friends. It’s a healing experience that lets you get rid of some stress without driving across the country.
Ma an Mountain Hike Itinerary
For my perfect Saturday hike, I like to go slow and not rush to the mountain. We eat breakfast at home, take care of chores, and maybe even relax in the rooftop hammocks or do a little rooftop yoga.
However, before we go to the mountain we do a little calorie loading with a burger and fries from somewhere wonderful like Coco Salsa.
Coco Salsa Taco and Burger
031-656-4555
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 팽성읍 신흥북로49번길 27
Nice burger and taco joint in the underground parking of Brownstone. This is not visible from the street. You will have to actually enter the Brownstone parking garage.
After lunch, we head to the hiking area where we grab another coffee and maybe some ice cream before tackling the day’s exercise.
Bee And Honey Cafe
0507-1403-0998
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 현덕면 현덕로 748
A locally owned cafe celebrating local honey. Get free samples from their honey bar and then takes some home. Bring your own jar or container with you for an additional discount. They also have delicious honey desserts and drinks. You can see some of their honey bees in the area out back. Also happens to be right next to one of the prettiest hiking areas in Pyeongtaek.
Fully caffeinated, we hit the hills at a pace one might describe as sloth-like. We then proceed to lay down on every napping platform we find and generally lollygag. Sometimes we just take a long nap and forget about hiking completely.
Ma an Mountain Hike
000-000-0000
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 현덕면 현덕로 748
This hilly hiking area wanders along next to Pyeongtaek Lake. Its not big, but there enough hills to make it feel like a workout.
After pretending to hike for a few hours, we head back to the car. Since we now feel relaxed, it’s a great time to visit a local temple for some reflection time. Meditation has always been something I enjoy and temples create the right environment for letting go of worries.
Simboksa Temple
031-682-5588
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 현덕면 심복사길 22
A Stone Buddha from the Unified Silla, which was enshrined in Vairocana Hall of Simboksa Temple and constructed on the 5th year of Joseon King Myeongjongs reign (1549), exudes a meek, yet austere mood. Tourists will find the episodes concerning the construction of this temple fun and interesting.
Now that we have reached peak relaxation, it’s time for a delicious and soothing dinner filled with the tastes of earth and nature. If you plan ahead and make a reservation you can try Gungsanghwang Mushroom Samgyetang’s baeksuk but if you didn’t plan ahead you can get the individual samgytang. It’s winning either way.
Gungsanghwang Mushroom Samgyetang
050713655016
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 팽성읍 팽성대교길 72-5
Beautifully rich chicken and duck soups (non-spicy) that captures the flavors of the mountains and earth. Best for groups of 4 or more but they do have some single serving options. Reservations recommended since it’s very popular.
Should You Go Hiking in Pyeongtaek Today?
You will enjoy hiking the most if you go either on a day with good air quality or your preferred weather. However, you may also enjoy hiking if you go prepared for incidental weather and the current air conditions. Here is what is happening currently in Pyeongtaek so that you can determine what is right for you right now.
Current Air Quality in Pyeongtaek
Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts.
Pyeongtaek Air Quality
Current Pyeongtaek Weather
Additional Hikes Near Pyeongtaek
Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group
You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier.
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
