around Geochang 거창

It has been about one year since cycled around Hapcheon 합천 lake. On the threshold of winter, started a short bike ride to get around the lake and Geochang 거창. Arrived at Geochang sports complex and started cycling east to get close to the lakeside. Geochang surrounded by three national parks has its own natural attractions like Suseungdae rock 수승대. In the morning, it was a bit chilly as in the last year.

Hwang river 황강 passing through Geochang drains into the Hapcheon lake on the north-west corner of the lake. The road along the river runs evenly east and is connected to the lakeside.

Besides, you can select another route between mountains and river valley to reach the lakeside from Geochang. To access this route, you should cross a mountain pass not easy as it seems. But for your sweat and toil you will be rewarded with beautiful views and scenic overlooks.

Large dam leads to submergence of the land area including bridge. An old bridge resurfaced as the lake was drained. There seemed to be two people fishing on the old broken bridge. The above photo was taken from the newly constructed bridge over the lake. In the picture at the top, you can view the new bridge from the other side.

in and around meteor crater

Geologists have confirmed that the Jeokjung-Chogye 적중-초계 Basin near Hapcheon 합천 in the southeastern Korean Peninsula, is the direct geological proof of meteorite impact crater produced 50-thousand years ago. The basin is shaped like bowl, 7 Kilometers in diameter. 

Last weekend, drove to the basin and parked at the Chogye township office. Started cycling southwards in the counter-clockwise direction and crossed the southern mountain pass. The ginkgo leaves along the roads turned yellow and the rice field across the basin has been already harvested.

The  enclosing mountains are lower in the north and higher in the south. Takeoff area for paragliders is somewhere along the ridge of the southern mountains. The Mita pass 미타재 on the southern ridge is the toughest climb around the basin.

The road leads down into the narrow valley as you pedal down a long descent.  Passing through another mountain pass and fields on route, headed for the trail along the Nakdong river. Could find only one rider on the way back to the starting point, Chogye township office. Feel like many cyclists approach off-season as it is getting colder.