View from Ihwa Pass
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).
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.
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:
- Ihwa Pass Rest Area (이화령휴게소; map) sits on the west side of the tunnel. It holds a quick-stop shop, vending machines, and a restaurant.
- Ihwaryeong Rest Area Certification Center (이화령휴게소 인증센터; map) hangs next to the Rest Area. Stamp your Bike Passport here.
- Hiking trails spiral off from the top of Ihwa Pass and lead to Joryeong Mountain.
