Course Overview
Hwacheon is a pristine region in the center of the Korean Peninsula along the upper Bukhan River. This approximately 38 km course runs from Paro Lake through Hwacheon-eup to the Peace Dam, combining lakeside scenery with division history.
Paro Lake was a fierce Korean War battleground, named by President Rhee Syngman meaning "the lake that crushed the barbarians." The Peace Dam was built in 1987 in response to North Korea's threat of a water attack from the Geumgangsan Dam.
Section Highlights
Section 1: Paro Lake to Hwacheon-eup (approx. 12 km)
Review war history at the Paro Lake Security Exhibition Hall and drive along the lakeshore to Hwacheon-eup.
Section 2: Hwacheon-eup to Sancheoneo Festival Site (approx. 8 km)
Pass the Hwacheoncheon Stream where the winter Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Festival is held. Ice fishing is possible during the January-February festival season.
Section 3: Hwacheon-eup to Peace Dam (approx. 18 km)
Drive north along the Bukhan River to reach the Peace Dam. View the DMZ mountains from atop the dam.
Driving Tips
- Highly recommend combining with the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival (Jan-Feb)
- Peace Dam exhibition hall: free admission
- Hwacheon Water Country waterpark operates in summer
- Hwacheon sirae-gi gukbap and freshwater fish maeuntang are local specialties