Discover all the outdoor activities Deokdong Mountain has to offer [PIEF FOREIGN REPORTER]

South Korea is well known for its beautiful mountains. While living here you should definitely take advantage of all the hiking trails and scenery! Thankfully you don’t have to go far to enjoy a nice mountain walk. In fact, look no further than the center of our own Pyeongtaek city. That’s right! In the middle of the busy roads and shops is Deokdong Mountain (덕동산). This mountain is perfect for an easy hike and a chance to lounge in the sun. 

Deokdong Mountain sign

Surrounded by several of Pyeongtaek’s high rise apartments and schools, it will surprise you how many outdoor activities there are to do. After parking on the roadside, you can begin walking along any of the trails that start all around the mountain.

Lining the trails this time of year are huge green bushes and tall trees with identifying markers if you are interested in learning their scientific names. You can also find ponds with tadpoles swimming around! There are plenty of signs warning you to be cautious of the many frogs that will be making this outdoor haven their home in the coming months.

Hiking trail on Deokdong Mountain

Plan on bringing children of any age along with you as the trails are very easy to walk along. There are stairs and smoothed walkways the whole way up. A stroller can handle some of the trails but there are quite a few stairs as you near the top, so if you have a baby with you, a pack to carry them is probably the best option. After about twenty minutes you will reach the top. There you will see a tall stone memorial celebrating the brave Koreans who fought for freedom throughout Korean history. Plan on being able to view many sacred spaces such as a large two story structure decorated with traditional Korean architecture and a walled in cemetery with brightly colored gates protecting it. 

Monument at the top of the mountain

Gate protecting grave sight

After hiking around you can enjoy a picnic lunch at any of the platforms or tables placed around every corner. At the base of the mountain there is even a large lawn where many families enjoy eating a picnic on mats in a wide open space. While taking in the sunshine you can see a lovely garden of tulips as well as a large rock water feature, perfect picture backdrops! 

A tulip garden at the base of the mountain

The kids can burn off the rest of their energy at the playground or on one of the obstacle courses constructed out of logs and ropes. While they slide and climb you can watch teams play badminton, fill up your bottle at the water station, or even get a workout in at one of the many pieces of exercise equipment set up around the whole mountain.

Obstacle course along the trail

Playground at the base of the mountain

Next time you feel like spending some quality time in nature, don’t leave the city! Go and give Deokdong Mountain a visit. 

Access Information:

Deokdong mountain is located behind Hangwang High School and there is parking on the roadside surrounding the mountain. 

*Note: San means mountain in Korean.

[Directions]

By car: San84-14, Bijeon-dong, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do

경기도 평택시 비전동 산84-14

* For walking directions, search “Deokdongsan Mountain” using Naver Maps.

This article is written by Hadley Holyoak a PIEF Foreign Reporter.