Jangtaesan Metasequoia Forest

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest was born from the tireless visionary dedication of independent forester Lim Chang-bong (pen name Songpa), who invested his personal fortune starting in 1972 to plant over 6,300 exotic Metasequoia (dawn redwood) saplings across the rugged slopes of Mount Jangtaesan. Acquired and upgraded by Daejeon Metropolitan City in 2002, it stands proudly as South Korea’s only specialized, fully preserved Metasequoia forest sanctuary.

The forest is crowned by trees soaring over 30 meters into the sky with trunk circumferences exceeding two meters. Major engineered attractions include the Forest Adventure Skyway (an elevated wooden walkway hovering 10 to 16 meters above the forest floor), the spiraling wooden Sky Tower offering bird’s-eye views above the green canopy, and the 140-meter-long pedestrian suspension bridge swaying gently between mountain ridges.

Spring brings delicate lime-green shoots budding along towering redwood spires accompanied by mountain azaleas. Summer offers cool micro-climates where forest temperatures drop 3 to 5 degrees Celsius below the city, bathing visitors in natural phytoncides. Autumn is spectacular from late October through November, when the 6,300 giant redwood trees blaze in fiery reddish-bronze and copper hues. Winter carpets the red needle-strewn trails in pristine white snow.

The forest trails are accessible 24 hours daily with free admission. The elevated Forest Adventure Skyway, Sky Tower, and Suspension Bridge operate daily from 09:00 to 17:00 (extended to 18:00 during summer months; closing at 16:30 in winter). Arriving between 08:30 and 10:00 guarantees quiet forest contemplation and magical sunlight filtering through the morning mist.

Admission to Jangtaesan Recreational Forest, the Metasequoia walking valleys, the elevated Skyway, the Sky Tower, and the mountain suspension bridge is completely free of charge. Log cabin forest cottages and pension facilities require separate online reservations via the Forestrip national portal.

From Daejeon Station or Seodaejeon Station, board City Bus 20 (running every 40-50 minutes) or Bus 22, riding approximately 60 minutes through picturesque rural valleys directly to the Jangtaesan Recreational Forest turnaround terminus. Dedicated parking plazas accommodate passenger cars free of charge.

The lower valley floor and central Metasequoia parkway feature flat wooden boardwalks and paved roads accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. The elevated Forest Adventure Skyway is designed with a continuous gentle ramp, allowing wheelchair users to glide up to the tree canopy without stairs. Accessible restrooms are located near the park entrance and forest information office.

Arrive at main forest entrance → walk beneath the colossal Metasequoia trees in the Forest Bathing Zone → climb the gently spiraling ramp of the Forest Adventure Skyway → ascend the Sky Tower for a 360-degree canopy panorama → cross the 140-meter Suspension Bridge → relax on the wooden reclining loungers beneath the towering trees (approx. 2 hours).

Rustic restaurants along Jangan-ro outside the forest gate serve hearty country cuisine: whole herbal chicken soup (baeksuk) slow-boiled with mountain herbs, fresh acorn jelly pancakes (dotorimuk-jeon), clay-baked duck, and pan-fried potato cakes.

The mountain eateries provide pure plant-based country side dishes: seasoned wild fern (gosari), deodeok root salad, chive pancakes, and soft soybean curd hotpots. Cozy cafes near the park gate serve hot sweet potato lattes and herbal teas.

Unforgettable photo spots: standing on the Forest Adventure Skyway with towering redwoods flanking both sides, looking down from the top of the spiraling Sky Tower, and capturing the vibrant bronze foliage hanging above the center of the 140-meter suspension bridge in autumn.

Forest fires are a critical hazard; smoking, campfires, and cooking are strictly prohibited throughout the entire reserve. Walk strictly along designated boardwalks to protect the delicate surface root systems of the giant Metasequoia trees.

Forest management rangers patrol on foot and all-terrain carts. Emergency automated external defibrillators (AED) and first aid stations are housed at the forest administrative office. Multilingual tourist assistance is available via 1330.

Daecheongho Lake is reachable within a 45-minute drive east, while Yuseong Hot Springs and Hanbat Arboretum are located 35 minutes north in central Daejeon.

Q: Does the suspension bridge sway a lot? A: The 140-meter bridge is engineered with reinforced steel cables to sway gently with footsteps, providing an exciting sensation while maintaining top structural safety standards (certified to withstand hurricane-force winds).

Morning deep forest bathing at Jangtaesan Metasequoia Forest → canopy walk and suspension bridge crossing → country baeksuk or acorn pancake lunch → afternoon foot spa soak at Yuseong Hot Springs → evening dinner in Daejeon.