[One Day Walk] Korea's Santiago Pilgrimage Route... Yongin's 'Youth Kim Daegeon Trail'

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides walking courses for subscribers of the ‘One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day Thousand Characters’ newsletter. The One Day Ten Thousand Steps content is organized daily and monthly by themes, featuring courses recommended by Asia Economy, the government, local authorities, experts, and subscribers.

Kimgahang Cathedral located inside Eunisungji

'Cheongnyeon Kim Daegeon-gil' is the path where Korea's first priest, Saint Kim Daegeon Andrea, cautiously walked over Samdeok Hill every night amid persecution risks to carry out his pastoral activities. This path holds the footprints of the priest; it is where young Kim Daegeon passionately served the faithful as a priest and the route taken to relocate his remains after martyrdom.

Walking along 'Cheongnyeon Kim Daegeon-gil,' one can reflect on the life and passion of Father Kim Daegeon, who loved his nation. Starting from the refreshing flow of Euni Valley and walking through the densely wooded forest path, it offers time to listen to the stories within a heart weary from daily life.

'Cheongnyeon Kim Daegeon-gil' is a 10.3 km walking trail stretching from Euni Holy Ground to Waujeongsa Temple and (Anseong) Mirinae Holy Ground, among which the Euni Holy Ground to Waujeongsa section is the most scenic. It is a 6 km round-trip course starting from Euni Holy Ground, the main activity site of Father Kim Daegeon, crossing Shindeok Hill to Waujeongsa Temple, and returning to Euni Holy Ground. There is a steep section of about 200 meters just before Shindeok Hill, but overall it is a comfortable walk where one can simultaneously experience the serene beauty of Euni Holy Ground and the unique atmosphere of Waujeongsa Temple.

Large Buddha Statue at Wau Temple

Euni Holy Ground is Father Kim Daegeon's first pastoral site and the place where he held his last mass before martyrdom. In 2016, the Kimgahang Cathedral in Shanghai, China, where Father Kim was ordained, was restored and built at Euni Holy Ground. Waujeongsa Temple is a national defense temple established in 1970 by Haewol Samjang Beopsa, a displaced person, to pray for Buddha's merit and achieve national harmony. It is the headquarters of the Korean Buddhist Nirvana Sect and houses over 3,000 Buddha statues. Among the many statues, the Buddha head at the temple entrance and the reclining Buddha on the mountainside are famous. Nearby tourist attractions include Seokpo Forest Park and Jangchon Village Muk3 Cafe experience. <Provided by Yongin City Hall>

Youth Kim Dae-geon Road Course

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.