Guryonggyegok Valley (구룡계곡)

Guryong Valley in Namwon is a 3-kilometer granite-bedded valley on the western flank of Jirisan, named for the nine "dragon" pools ("gu" = nine, "ryong" = dragon) that the stream has carved out of the bedrock. The trail follows the stream up past sequenced pools and small cascades, with each named pool said in local folklore to mark where one of the nine dragons rested before ascending to heaven. The valley's polished granite gives the water an emerald cast on sunny days, and the upper sections remain cold even in mid-summer. The path is easy enough for a casual walk for the first 90 minutes; the upper Hwangsanjae pass adds another 90 minutes of hiking. Pair with Jirisan Noryukcheong skywalk.