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- Granite peaks and rock formations — Myohyang’s skyline is all jagged granite spires and oddly shaped boulders carved by wind and time. They make for dramatic photos and good scrambling; the views from the higher outcrops feel much wilder than the country roads below.
- Pohyon Temple — A well-preserved Buddhist complex tucked into the forest, with old wooden halls, carved eaves and a calm courtyard. It’s a peaceful contrast to the mountain scenery and gives a sense of the area’s cultural history rather than just raw nature.
- International Friendship Exhibition — Not a natural site, but impossible to miss: a huge, unusual museum of gifts presented to the country’s leaders. It’s uniquely North Korean and worth a quick visit for the scale and oddity alone.
- Ridge and summit trails (my personal
- Granite peaks and rock formations — Myohyang’s skyline is all jagged granite spires and oddly shaped boulders carved by wind and time. They make for dramatic photos and good scrambling; the views from the higher outcrops feel much wilder than the country roads below.
- Pohyon Temple — A well-preserved Buddhist complex tucked into the forest, with old wooden halls, carved eaves and a calm courtyard. It’s a peaceful contrast to the mountain scenery and gives a sense of the area’s cultural history rather than just raw nature.
- International Friendship Exhibition — Not a natural site, but impossible to miss: a huge, unusual museum of gifts presented to the country’s leaders. It’s uniquely North Korean and worth a quick visit for the scale and oddity alone.
- Ridge and summit trails (my personal favorite) — The main hiking routes along the ridges lead past cliffs, tiny pine groves and panoramic lookout points. Trails can be steep and rocky in sections, but the summit views—rolling forested valleys and serrated peaks—are the payoff. I’ll pick this as my favorite because the mix of effort and solitude is very satisfying.
- Spring azaleas and summer rhododendrons — In late spring and early summer the slopes light up with massed blooms; the contrast of bright flowers against grey stone is surprisingly lovely. If you time it right, the color is worth planning your visit around.
- Waterfalls and mountain streams — Small falls and clear streams tumble through the valleys, making cool resting spots on hot days. They’re not Niagara but they add pleasant variety to hikes and are great for a picnic stop.
- Birdlife and quiet forest walks — The wooded slopes host songbirds and small mammals; you won’t find crowds on some of the minor trails, so there’s good potential for quiet wildlife watching and simply enjoying the forest sounds.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.