17 November 2022
The next town over
Walking from Gwangju to Hwasun
Today is my last day in Gwangju. It is also a non hiking day, and the only day I plan to do my washing. So I left the hotel early with no plan and walked to a nearby city, Hwasun. What I did not know is that the way to get there, through a valley with many more trails up and through Mudeungsan national park, was in fact a popular semi abandoned road, with many locals enjoying the weather and view.
I will describe that with the photos, good photos today, great light, very clear.
But now a story.
As I returned to Gwangju I got approached by my friends, American exchange student missionaries. Korea is full of weird mega churches, including the unification church which recently got the Japanese ex prime minister assassinated and half the cabinet sacked, but I digress. Anyway, young dorky Americans allegedly doing something for a church are all over Korea, I have been harassed by them on previous trips and saw a few in Seoul harassing more appealing looking marks than myself near the giant flower garden I posted on day 2 of my trip.
Today they approached me in the shopping area (maskless of course) and one of them starts with 'it is so great to finally meet you, we have been trying to get together with you for a while!'. Which would be pretty scary if true! So, without even thinking, all I said was, 'I am going to count to 10'. They looked puzzled, and one of them asked what do I mean.. 1,2,3,4,5. They turn and start to go away, I count louder, 6,7,8. They run. 9, 10 and I tore off after them at full speed as they ran away with one of them seriously saying 'Lord please save us!'.
After no more than 30 metres I just stopped and continued on my way.
A definite highlight of my trip.
The early morning light was fantastic in the nearly abandoned shopping streets of Gwangju.
I went on the subway to the last station and just kept walking, not knowing what lay ahead. Predictably, more giant apartment buildings lay ahead, but the light was nice still.
Looking back towards Gwangju and I was following a path along a creek again. A good way to get under the freeway overpasses. I think I can see a smoke trail from a North Korean missile in the sky.
My direction of travel also looked nice along the creek.
Across the other side, a sheer rock face. There are trails along the top.
I never noticed a power pole like this before, it is where the above ground wires go underground.
All the roads on the map go into a long tunnel near this point. I found some sturdy steps going up the hill under the freeway.
The steps were the correct choice, as they joined onto this road which no longer has cars. I presume it was the old road before the freeway was built. Still in the shadows of Mudeungsan at this point.
When the sun hit, it was a very attractive road. There were quite a few other people walking, mountain biking and running along this car free road.
At the top, another boom gate to the national park. I was not dressed for it and had no supplies, if I was here another day...
The view from the top of the road was great. That is the freeway down there that came out of a tunnel.
The road down to Hwasun was equally as nice.
So many trails I did not walk on.
Lower parts of the road predictably colourful.
Hwasun is a fairly small place, a bus goes to Gwangju about every 8 seconds. Even though it is a small place with a central traditional market and some tourist stuff up the hill I will show shortly, most people still live in new looking high rise apartments.
The road up to this mountain was cafe filled.
And at the top of the town, another nice looking mountain. Very rocky near the peak. I looked at my map, there are trails. If I was here another day....
In the meantime, my washing (laundry) has successfully been completed, with a lot of assistance from my phone to translate.