Gatan Village

Gatan Village is located in Tap-ri, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. The old name of the village was Gayeoul (Gatan), meaning a beautiful rapids like a fairyland. Even now, residents call it Gayeoun or Gaerol. It is said that it became Gatan because a Taoist hermit lived there and dipped his fishing rod into the beautiful rapids. This place is the starting point of the Gatan–Songjeong section of the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail. This section is a 10.6 km path that begins in front of the Gilge Supermarket in Gatan Village, about 400 m from Hwagae Middle School, and connects to Songjeong Village in Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, following a small pass that was used to cross between Hadong and Gurye. Most of it is a forest path, stretching alongside the Seomjin River, offering views of the river from open areas. Although the path has a considerable slope, the forest and river make for a refreshing walk. Though it is deep in the mountains, you often encounter tombs while walking, and nearby are Hwagaecheon Stream and the Sip-ri Cherry Blossom Road.