Steps, Sweat, and Temple Vibes at 820m

#summervacay Hit up Palgongsan from Songjeong-dong and wow, this mountain came for my legs. It’s not one of those “walk in the woods” kinda hikes. It’s stairs. So many stairs. Like someone said, “let’s just build a stairway to the sky” and actually did it. But honestly? Totally worth it. The forest is gorgeous, all shady and green, with birds chirping and that fresh piney air. You pass little temples and shrines along the way that give it this peaceful, old-school energy, even if your calves are screaming. Once you finally reach the top, the 820m view is chef’s kiss. Mountains on mountains, fresh wind in your face, and this feeling like you just did something kinda epic. I sat on a rock, ate my snacks like a champion, and tried not to let anyone see how sweaty I was. Palgongsan’s a bit of a grind, but it’s got everything, nature, culture, and bragging rights. Just stretch before and bring snacks you actually like.