A last gasp of autumn

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This week could be your last chance to get out of the city and meander through a beautiful fall-colored forest.

And with last week`s pre-winter preview of what`s in store for the next four months, don`t expect to be the only one wherever you decide to go.

If you`re in the Seoul area, top of the list is Nami Island. Although it`s a manufactured type of beauty, it`s definitely worth a trip. The two best times to go are in the autumn and when it`s covered with a blanket of snow. To get there from Seoul, take a train to Gapyeong Station, and then jump in a taxi to the ferry dock. Admission includes a round-trip ferry ride: 5,000 won for adults and 2,500 won for children.



Photographers still chasing beautiful autumn portraits will want to head to Duryunsan, South Jeolla Province, Mudeungsan Provincial Park, South Jeolla Province, or Naejangsan in North Jeolla Province.

Some say Naejang Mountain is one of the best places to go to see autumn`s changing leaves. To get there from Jeongeup City Bus Terminal, take No. 171 for Naejangsan National Park.

Another mountain down south, Mudeung in Mudeungsan Provincial Park, is commonly visited for its accessible trails and picturesque valleys. To get there from Gwangju Station, take bus No. 18 to Wonhyosa Temple (about an hour and a half).

Duryunsan Provincial Park, close to the southernmost point of the peninsula, has fantastic photo-ops. Be sure to check out Daedunsa Temple, which is part of the national Templestay network. To get there from Haenam Intercity Bus Terminal, take a bus for Daedunsa and get off at Daedunsa Temple.



What`s left



Provided by the Korea Tourism Organization, these mountains still have some leaves on the trees.



Mountain Reaches peak

Duryunsan Nov. 12

Mudeungsan Nov. 7

Naejangsan Nov. 5

Hallasan Nov. 4

Gayasan Nov. 1

Bukhansan Oct. 31

Palgongsan Oct. 29

Gyeryongsan Oct. 29



(mattlamers@heraldm.com)





By Matthew Lamers