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View from Ihwa Pass

Saejae Bike Path
Learn about Ihwa Mountain Pass and the views it offers.

Ihwa Mountain Pass (이화령; map; 539 m) is the highest ascent in Korea’s cycling certification system. It slips through the Sobaek Mountain Range below Joryeong Mountain (조령산; map; 1,026 m).

A picture of the western view from on top of Ihwa Pass (이화령) in Goesan County, South Korea.
The westward view of the Ihwa Mountain Pass along the Cross-Country Route’s Saejae Bike Path in Korea.
A picture of a rest area and highway near the Ihwa Pass (이화령) on the Saejae Bicycle Path in Goesan County, South Korea.
Roadside rest areas with magnificent views lie on both sides of Ihwa Pass.
Rock walls, a curving mountain road, and pine trees decorate the climb up Ihwa Pass on the Saejae Bike Path.
Rock walls, a curving mountain road, and pine trees decorate the climb up Ihwa Pass on the Saejae Bike Path.
A picture of a bike and rest area along the Ihwa Pass (이화령) on the Saejae Bicycle Path in Goesan County, South Korea.
Does the climb up Ihwa Pass make you tired? Find decks every kilometer. Stop and take in the view.
A picture of Yeonpung Village view from on top of Ihwa Pass (이화령) in Goesan County, South Korea.
The rest area's leading to Ihwa Pass offer terrific high-angle views of Yeonpung Village along the Saejae Bike Path.
Saejae Bike Path - Chungju Sangju - Ihwaryeong Pass Mountain Road Rider

While the climb is exhausting, the summit offers superb high-angle views of the area.

Ihwa Pass Tunnel (이화령터널; map) crowns the top of the mountain pass. It also marks the border between Goesan County (괴산군; map) in North Chungcheong Province and Mungyeong City (문경시; map) in North Gyeongsang Province.

Pass through the tunnel to switch between eastward and westward facing platforms.

  • The west platform looks out into Yeonpung Town (연풍면; map) in Goesan County.
  • The east platform offers a glimpse of Mungyeong Town (​​문경읍; map) in Mungyeong City.
A picture of the western view from on top of Ihwa Pass (이화령) in Goesan County, South Korea.
The westward view from on top of Ihwa Pass shows Nation Route 3 weaving through a valley from Yeonpung Village.
A view of the valley beside Ihwa Pass from a nearby rest area in Goesan County, South Korea.
The resting decks leading Ihwa Pass shows National Route 3 in the valley below and mountains in the sky above.
A picture of Yeonpung Village view from on top of Ihwa Pass (이화령) in Goesan County, South Korea.
The rest area's leading to Ihwa Pass offer terrific high-angle views of Yeonpung Village along the Saejae Bike Path.
A picture of a cyclist riding down the snowy Ihwa Pass (이화령) on the Saejae Bicycle Path in Goesan County, South Korea.
The east end of Ihwa Pass is the windward side. It gets more shade and lingering snow in winter. Watch out!
The eastern view from Ihwa Pass in Mungyeong City, South Korea.
Locals refer to the Ihwa Mountain Pass as Mungyeong Saejae because of its proximity to the historic mountain pass.
A picture of a bike in an Ihwa Pass rest area in Goesan, South Korea along the Saejae Bike Path.
The resting decks along Ihwa Pass let riders rest, refuel, and gaze at the surrounding landscape.

Below Ihwa Pass’s summit, National Highway 3 (국도3호선; map) carves a path between Joryeong and Heeyang Mountains, then disappears into a tunnel below.

A few more features sit atop of the Ihwa Pass:

A picture of the Ihwaryeong Rest Area Certification Center at the top of Ihwa Pass in Goesan County, South Korea.
Discover the Ihwaryeong Rest Area Certification Center near a restaurant/cafe/mart on top of Ihwa Pass.
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