Winggye 윙계 is the name of side valley in the southern mountain area in Daegu 대구. Winggye means a valley on the left side; wing means "left", a dialect of wen 왼 and gye "valley." On the way to Jeongdae-ri 정대리, a remote village at the bottom end of the main valley, the road branches off to the left and gets narrower, finally turning into a mountain trail that becomes a little vague. The locals in the past when the public transportation was not available used to walk along this trail in the middle of this valley. The above photo was taken on May last year at the entrance of Winggye, the below ones at the same place and around the valley this spring.
This walking trail connected western Daegu and southern regions like Cheongdo 청도 and Miryang 밀양. Since this area is surrounded by mountains, the ancient people traveling through this region seem to choose the lowest pass along the ridge. Winggye is really the finest choice for them to cross this mountain area. Old villagers having lived around here for several decades remember that up until then, this tail had been jam-packed with travelers. Since the new road was opened, it has become almost deserted.
It was getting warmer. Cherry trees came into bloom. Winggye Jae 윙계재 is the name of the pass across the mountain ridge, between Winggye and the other side of Cheongdo province; Jae 재 means "pass." Heading southwards, the trail leads up the gentle slope and becomes steep near the ridge. Trail markers sit on the ridge pass. Four trails lead out from the pass.
Looking at the mountain range from spring field in the southern district, Gakbuk 각북, you can see Winggye Jae, the lowest spot on the ridgeline in the distance. Walking along the ancient tracks trodden for thousands of years has encouraged people to contemplate life and its meaning.
Songnae 송내 is the first village that you should reach just when you go southwards down the mountain along the trail from Winggye Jae. There used to be a couple of traditional taverns for the travelers in this village who were going to cross the pass or came across it. The pavilion on the above photo behind the boulder is the site where a tavern used to be. On its left is the stone stack called Seonangdang 서낭당 that was devoted to the village guardian deity in the communal faith. Travelers used to put stones on the stack and pray for safety on the trail since they had the belief that the deity would protect them.
Heading further southwards, you may reach a bit bigger town named Punggak 풍각. In the old days, people passing near here were likely to stop off at some inns accommodating them with a night's lodging. It takes about 7 and a half an hour on foot from western Daegu to here, but the suburban bus covers the distance within half an hour. The above photo shows that a bus for Daegu is ready to start outside of Punggak bus terminal currently under repair.
