Shimhaksan Mountain Barefoot Trail 

Simhaksan Mountain, located in the southern part of Gyoha District (Sannam-dong, Dongpae-dong, and Seopae-dong) in Paju-City, Gyeonggi-do, is relatively low at 194 meters above sea level . It was one of the five most one of five hardest mountains in Gyeonggi Province during the Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, it is also called Simaksan Mountain. With its relatively gentle ridge and well-maintained perimeter trail, it is more popular as a walking course than a hiking course, and the summit offers a great view of the West Sea sunset. 

A. Main Features

1) Location: It is located in the southern part of Gyoha area (Sannam-dong, Dongpae-dong, and Seopae-dong) in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do.

2) Height: 194m above sea level no see. It is a great place to enjoy the sunset over the West Sea from the top.

3) Hiking trails: There are well-maintained hiking trails and circular paths that take 1-2 hours.It has gentle uphill and downhill slopes, making it a great place for a family walk.

4) Access : You can view Jayuro, the Han River, Gimpo, and the Gwansan Peninsula at the peak. 

5) Old place name: Simhaksan Mountain is said to have been named after a mountain where a white crane that escaped from the palace and was found there during the Joseon Dynasty.uring the Joseon Dynasty, it was called ‘Simagsan’, which means ‘the mountain goes into deep water’ .

B. A good place to visit

1) Yakcheonsa Temple :  Yakcheonsa Temple was rebuilt in 1932 on the site of a Goryeo Dynasty temple. Its name comes from the character for Healty mineral water sping, which symbolizes the character for this spring, which refers to the  spring water that gushes out in front of the main hall. One of the starting points for many hiking and walking trails on Simhaksan Mountain.

2) Gyoha Reservoir : This is a place equipped with a pavilion, restrooms, and sports facilities, and is located at the midpoint of the perimeter road. The Gyoha Reservoir is a metropolitan water supply facility located in Paju City and is a major stop along the Simhaksan Mountain Trail. 

3) Simhaksan Observatory : Views of the Imjin River estuaries, Ilsan City, Paju City, and Ganghwa Island.

C. Shihaksan Barefoot Trail Summary

C-1) Date and Duration: Oct 29, 2025 and about two and half an hour for round trail. 

C-2) Course Length: Paju Baesuji Public Parking Lot <=> Yeakcheonsa <=> Shimhaksan Peak (194m above sea level). it was about 9.5 km and 13,000 steps. 

C-3) Location of Parking Lot: #383, Dongpae-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

C-4) Course Brief Explanation: 

I parked the car at Paju Baesuji Public Parking Lot (Water Distribution) which took about one hour from West Seoul Area and no parking fee. As see at attached photo, I crossed the street and turned right soon after crossing over the street where I could see Shinhaksan Mountain trial at left and grey rock road sign. I was strating to trial at this point just steppe up few staris as see at the photo attached hereto. there were two different courses at this mountian, the one for Shimhaksan Mountain Trail and the other for Shimhaksan Mountain Loop Trail. I took former this time and planed to take latter next time. there were few trial courses to touch dwon the peak. But I chose popular course via Yeakcheonsa Temple. climed up somewhat steep sloped trail road from Yeakcheonsa temple to somewhat easy trail ridge road for about 20 minutes. I truned right at junction between Yeakcheonsa Road and Shimhaksan Ridge Road as see at the photo attached herein and headding to the peak. I trailed about 20 minutes from the junction and somewhat hardly reached the Shimhaksan Peak where pavilion on top and I could looked down Imjingang River and Gaepoong Distric in Northe Korea. Please note this river is boader line between South Korea and North Korea. you could see this great landscape photo attached. I retuned to starting parking lot through the same course which I came over to this peak.