This page is a practical guide for climbing Jeongseon Mindungsan. At 1,118.8m above sea level, Mindungsan's treeless summit covered in silver grass makes it one of Korea's premier silver grass mountains. The 31st Mindungsan Silver Grass Festival in 2026 will open on September 18th and run for 52 days until November 8th. Below, we've summarized the 4 hiking trails, parking, trains from Seoul, and essentials for a sunset hike. For a comparison of silver grass spots and festival schedules in other regions, see National Silver Grass & Pink Muhly Spots, and for Gyeongju Cheomseongdae and Mujangsan, see Gyeongju Pink Muhly & Silver Grass Spots.
The Mindungsan silver grass colony spans approximately 660,000 square meters (about 200,000 pyeong) along the ridge of the summit. During the festival, facilities for hikers' safety and convenience are operated, and small food markets may open in the village below the mountain.
Mindungsan has a total of 4 official hiking trails. You can choose a course that suits your physical condition and plan, from beginners to experienced hikers.
| Course | Starting Point | One-way Distance | Estimated Time | Difficulty | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Jeungsan Elementary School | 2.6km (steep) / 3.2km (gentle) | Approx. 1 hr 30 min ~ 2 hrs | Beginner | Most popular, choice of gentle/steep slope |
| Course 2 | Neungjeon Village | 2.7km | Approx. 1 hr 20 min ~ 1 hr 30 min | Beginner | Slightly shorter forest road course than Course 1 |
| Course 3 | Samnae Mineral Spring | 3.5km | Approx. 2 hrs | Advanced | Intermediate or higher course including steep ridge trail |
| Course 4 | Hwaam Mineral Spring | 7.1km | Approx. 6 hrs ~ 6 hrs 30 min | Expert | Expert course for long-distance ridge traverses |
During the festival period, parking lots can get crowded from early morning, so please keep this in mind when planning your visit. All official parking lots are free of charge.
Parking Lot 1 (Main)
Alternative Parking Lot
By taking a train from Seoul Cheongnyangni Station to Mindungsan Station, you can conveniently visit without a car. Mindungsan Station is approximately a 15-20 minute walk from the trailhead (Jeungsan Elementary School).
Mugunghwa-ho (Cheongnyangni Station → Mindungsan Station)
Jeongseon Arirang Train (A-train)
The Mindungsan silver grass is most beautiful when it turns golden at sunset. If you're planning a sunset hike, check the following essentials for safety.
Before or after your Mindungsan hike, we recommend visiting Jeongseon Arirang Market in Jeongseon-eup. You can taste local Jeongseon dishes like Gondrebap (seasoned thistle rice), Kotdeungchigi Guksu (buckwheat noodles), and Memil Jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepes). The market is about a 30-35 minute drive from Mindungsan.
Q. Is there an admission fee for Mindungsan or a participation fee for the festival? A. No, the Mindungsan national forest hiking trails are open free of charge year-round, and the Silver Grass Festival can also be enjoyed by everyone without a separate admission fee. Official parking lots, including the public parking lot in front of Jeungsan Elementary School, are also free.
Q. When is the best time to climb the mountain to see the silver grass? A. The silver grass colony looks different depending on the angle of the sunlight. Visiting during the 'golden hour' from after 4 PM until sunset, when the sun begins to set, allows you to see a magnificent spectacle of golden and silver waves reflecting the sunlight. For this, it's best to start your hike no later than 3:30 PM.
Q. I have very little hiking experience. Which course would be best? A. We recommend Course 1 starting from Jeungsan Elementary School. At the beginning of the trail, it splits into a gentle slope (3.2km) and a steep path (2.6km). Choosing the gentle slope course, which is less physically demanding, allows even beginners to reach the summit relatively easily.
Last checked: 2026-09-29 (Festival period and introduction updated. Train schedule and fares based on dates indicated in the main text)