Guide[Gariwangsan] Blackyak 100 Mountains Shortest Route: Hiking Guide from Balsimsa Trailhead
Discover the shortest route up Gariwangsan starting from the Balsimsa trailhead. Get the full scoop on unpaved road parking, steep uphill sections, and the forest road junction — straight from a real hiker's experience.
Gariwangsan is one of the Blackyak 100 Mountains, a peak that captures the raw, deep mountain spirit of Jeongseon. In this post, I'm sharing my hiking experience on the 'Balsimsa Shortest Route' — the fastest way to reach the summit of Gariwangsan.
🚗 Trailhead & Parking: Getting to Balsimsa
The starting point for the shortest route up Gariwangsan is Balsimsa Temple (28-1 Jangjeon-ri, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do). That said, getting there is no walk in the park.
- Road Conditions: The road to Balsimsa is a single-lane track with stretches of unpaved surface along the way. Passing oncoming vehicles is extremely difficult, so drive with extra caution.
- Parking: There's a small parking area along the road to Balsimsa that fits roughly 4–6 cars. It's best to park here and get ready for your hike.
🏃 Hitting the Trail: "A Path That Barely Feels Like One"
After parking, I checked the trailhead sign and set off. For this light outing, I kept it minimal — just 500ml of water and one energy gel.
From the very start, the trail gives off a strong "someone forced a path through here" vibe. The route follows a valley with a continuous mix of dirt trail and steep uphill — and the gradient is no joke.
After about 20–30 minutes of breathless climbing, a forest road suddenly appears out of nowhere. I can only imagine what it looked like to the casual walkers strolling along that road — a person suddenly bursting out of what looked like an impassable slope. True to form, this is a rough, rugged route that turns non-trails into trails.
🪵 From the Forest Road to the Summit
Once you reach the forest road, take a breather and head a short distance to the left. You'll find a staircase leading straight toward the summit.
From here, the terrain eases up a bit compared to the brutal slope below — a gentler mix of ups and downs. However, the trail is narrow enough for only one person at a time, so watch out for branches that can scratch you as you pass.
When the final trail marker came into view, I popped my energy gel and pushed through the last stretch. With a quick sugar boost and a final surge of effort, I made it to the top.
⛰️ Gariwangsan Summit: Blackyak 100 Mountains Certified
Total ascent time: approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. The wide-open views of Jeongseon greet you at the top.
I snapped my Blackyak 100 Mountains certification photo and took a well-earned rest. After such a demanding route, the break at the summit felt all the sweeter.
🏁 Descent & Wrap-Up
I descended the same way I came up. With plenty of steep sections on the way down, be mindful of your knees. Total time including descent: 1 hour 50 minutes — a quick and efficient outing, true to the "shortest route" name.
On the drive back, I was silently praying not to meet any oncoming cars on that narrow road — and that's how my Gariwangsan adventure came to a close. It's a tight, rough route, but if you're looking to efficiently check off another peak on the Blackyak 100 Mountains list, this might just be your best bet.
📌 Hike Summary
- Route: Balsimsa Trailhead → Forest Road → Summit (out-and-back)
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep inclines, narrow trail)
- Tips: Bring energy gels; drive carefully on the single-lane unpaved road