Godae Mountain

Godae Mountain (832m) is a mountain on the border between Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, and Cheorwon County, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. It is the closest mountain among those open to hiking to North Korea. From Godae Peak, the summit of Godae Mountain, you can see the plains of Cheorwon, Baengma Hill (White Horse Hill), a fierce battleground during the Korean War, as well as Geumhak Mountain, Jijang Peak, Bukdae Mountain, and Hyangno Peak in the north.

Godae Mountain has been considered one of Korea's three sacred mountains since ancient times, with legends of prophetic place names such as Jowasin, Gyowasin, and Chiwashin. The name 'Godae Mountain' is also said to originate from 'big whale,' which appears to be related to the place name Shintan. It refers to 'banggorae' (a groove under the floor of a heated room using firewood, through which flames and smoke pass), and because the valleys are deep and the mountain is high, it is called Godae Mountain. On old maps, it was also written as 'Gotae,' meaning 'like a high constellation.'