Gujeolam Hermitage (Hongseong)

About this place

Gujeolam Hermitage is a small temple hidden among bamboo groves swaying in the spring breeze, with winding mountain paths that are anything but easy to navigate despite the mountain not being particularly tall. With no signposts and no passersby to ask for directions, the rural path twisting through the countryside makes for a long and difficult journey to arrive at the hermitage nestled in low hills. However, upon arriving, a sense of delight immediately replaces the earlier fatigue. Approaching Gujeolam, one encounters large and small stones stacked up here and there like pagodas. The Hongseong Gujeolam Rock-Carved Buddha (designated Goryeo-period cultural heritage), carved on the rock face of this hermitage, is a significant artifact. The area is well-known for the local spring scenery with a bamboo forest path leading to the hermitage.