South Korea: Inje Wondae-ri Birch Forest

Upon arrival at Inje Intercity Bus Terminal, we took a cab going to Wondaeri Birch Forest.  It was late December, but there is no snow along the way around the mountain.  

If you are looking for another free attraction, we recommend this to the seasoned travelers.  We also thought that there is required registration before hiking, but there is none.

We grabbed and borrowed walking sticks from the entry point and started our journey.

In first few minutes of our hike, it is still dry flat grounds that you can enjoy easy walking.

Then, it started to get chilly and all of a sudden almost everything is just white.

They say that it is like a fairytale in the woods.

In a normal phase, you can finish the hike for route-1 at only 1 hr but it took us almost 4-5 hours including the rest periods and photo-opportunities.

If you are still undecided on going to this place, don't hesitate, just go!  You will be surrounded mostly by locals who also enjoy the cold weather. You will not be alone in the woods.

Tips:

• Bring some water before you hike, there is no vending machines/stores along the way.
• If travelling on snow, looks like light crampons is good enough than having heavy-duty crampons.
• Cleaner toilets are located near the parking lot, refrain from using the one found on the mountain.
• There are seating areas along the way, so no need to hurry if you started very early in the morning.

How to get there?

Thanks to koreatodo for the very detailed instructions on how to get to the Inje Wondaeri Birch Forest.

Inje Wondaeri Birch Forest

763-4, Wondae-ri, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do

Route 1 - Birch Forest Course (0.9km, 40-50 mins)

Travel Date: December 27, 2019

Summary: Winter Itinerary for 6 days in Seoul, South Korea 2019

Day	Places to See	Food and Restaurants	Other Options
1	Forest of Wisdom [Hwayugi/Secretary Kim]	Angel in Us, Incheon Dirty Trunk, Paju [Search: WWW] Chicken & Beer	Hesse Boulangerie 152 Seosomun Shrine History Museum Cheonggyecheon Stream Winter Night 2019
2	Inje Wondae-ri Birch Forest [Snow] Seoul Book Repository [Hotel Del Luna]	Guksu Namu (국수나무) Starbucks Reserve, Famille Park
3	Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum DDP Winter Light Festival Arc N Book Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink	2D Café 연남동239-20 고향옥 얼큰순대국 near Gupabal Station	Yonsei University (Seoul) 1인1잔 / 1 man 1 cup Korea University (Seoul) Kyung Hee University (Seoul) Shinsegae Department Store
4	Mass in Myeongdong Cathedral Common Ground Starfield Library COEX	Congee House in Myeongdong A Twosome Place The Gastro Permil [Secretary Kim]	Seoul International Catholic Church Konkuk University Seoulism Galleria - Apgujeong-rodeo Station IFC Mall
5	Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival [Snow]	무월식탁 / Muwol Table	Sinchon Christmas Market
6	Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden English Tour Ikseon-dong Hanok Street [Battle Trip]	Onion Anguk Zio Cucina, Ikseon-dong Tteuran Tea & Café, Ikseon-dong Korean Food Street	Madang Café / Flower Yard Café