Just a short 25-minute drive west of Camp Humphreys, Ma-an Mountain, standing at 112.8 meters, offers an enjoyable outdoor experience for families and hikers alike. On a breezy, sunny day, my family and I set off to explore the mountain, hoping to catch early glimpses of autumn foliage. Although the trees hadn’t yet taken on their fall hues, the hike proved well worth the effort.
Our journey began with a minor detour after our GPS directions led us down unpaved roads. Fortunately, we discovered a quaint café, Bee & Honey (꿀이랑 벌이랑), right at the entrance of the main trail. Greeting us at the trailhead were two painted surfboards, a unique touch that was echoed by several other surfboards and intriguing sculptures, including a carved horse, placed along the path—a creative project that added an element of charm to the trail.
After a comfortable 10-15 minute walk, we reached a clearing overlooking the Pyeongtaek River, where we took a quick break to enjoy tea and snacks. As we continued towards the summit, the trail became steeper, particularly over the last 250 meters, which proved challenging. Fortunately, I’d brought hiking poles, a helpful addition for my parents as they navigated the ascent.
At the peak, a sign indicated our elevation above sea level, but the view was somewhat obscured by dense trees. Still, the sense of accomplishment was rewarding. While most of our group opted to return the way we came, my son and I decided to follow a marked path to a nearby campground, adding about 30 minutes to our route. Although the campground was closed, this detour offered a clearer view of the river.
Upon returning, we used convenient air hoses at the trail’s base to clean our shoes—a thoughtful feature common in Korea. My family had already settled at Bee & Honey, savoring ice cream topped with fresh honeycomb. We joined them for a sweet treat and purchased a bottle of honey to take home.
Our hike to Ma-an Mountain was an enjoyable family outing, and we look forward to returning in a few weeks to experience the fall foliage in full color.
𝐌𝐚-𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 (#마안산)
📍 1st floor, 20 Jungang Market-ro, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 평택시 중앙시장로 20 1층
📸 Tae Kwon, Pyeongtaek Insight Content Creator
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