Primary SOURCES for these listings:
1. The actual hiking of these ranges in South Korea by Roger
Shepherd and Andrew Douch
2. Namhan San-gyeong-do map published in 2009 published by
Wolgan SAN magazine, Seoul
3. 1 Baekdu-daegan, 13 Jeongmaek book of maps published by
Saram-gwa-San magazine, Seoul
4. Shiljeon Baekdudaegan Jongju Sanhaeng, a book by Bang
Sang-hoon, published by Choson-ilbo-sa (the Seoul newspaper
company) in 1997
5. Daehan-minguk 2005 Map of the Korean Peninsula, published
by Jungang Atlas, Seoul
6. Doro-jido Choishinpan Jido-daesajeon, a book of 1:100,000
maps of South Korea, 2005 edition by Seongji Munhwasa
Publishers, Seoul.
7. Yeongjin 5-man Jido, a book of 1:50,000 maps of South Korea,
2006 edition by Yeongjin Munhwasa Publishers, Seoul.
These sources each contain differing information, and contradict each
other in various ways, including the names, heights and exact locations
of some peaks. I have done my best to combine and reconcile those
differences, to make it make sense, in many hours of consideration of
multiple sources.
In particular, some peaks are named "-bong" [peak] on some maps and
"-san" [mountain] on others; there is also the suffix "-dae" [platform, with
a Buddhist meaning] used for a few peaks. There doesn't seem to be any
consistent rule for which of those suffixes gets used (neither altitude nor
distance from other peaks seems to have much to do with it), and there
seems to be no consistent system for grouping peaks together as one
overall "-san"; these seems to be only matters of common usage. When
in doubt, I have used "-san".
The mountain-ranges located in what is now North Korea pose particular
problems, as their names, precise locations and altitudes differ on the
various sources available -- we just don't yet have very exact and reliable
information.
The Republic of Korea's new Romanization system has been used
throughout, even for the North Korean mountains, in order to match with
contemporary South Korean maps and websites, and in the interest of
consistent accuracy. I would welcome any corrections or suggestions
for improvement for these listings.
The 15 Currently-Most Sacred
Mountains on these 13 Branches:
(mostly in South Korea, due to our lack of info
about the North, especially modern conditions)
|
name
|
branch
#
|
location
|
highest
peak
|
Myohyang-san
|
3
|
Pyeongan-namdo
Province
|
1909m
|
Songak-san
|
5
|
Gaeseong City
|
488m
|
Surak-san
|
6
|
NE Seoul
|
638m
|
Dobong-san
Seonin-bong
|
6
|
North Seoul
|
740m
|
Ilwol-san
|
7
|
N. Gyeongsang
|
1219m
|
Juwang-san
|
7
|
N. Gyeongsang
|
721m
|
Danseok-san
|
7
|
N. Gyeongsang
|
827m
|
Gaji-san
|
7
|
S. Gyeongsang
|
1240m
|
Yeongchuk-san
|
7
|
S. Gyeongsang
|
1081m
|
Geumjeong-san
|
7
|
Busan City
|
802m
|
Ma-i-san
|
11
|
North Jeolla
|
618m
|
Gyeryong-san
|
11
|
W of Daejeon City
|
878m
|
Mudeung-san
|
12
|
E of Gwangju City
|
1187m
|
Baekun-san
|
12
|
S of Jiri-san
|
1218m
|
Jiri-san
Samshin-bong
|
13
|
Hadong County
|
1284m
|
|
Cheongbuk-jeongmaek Range
Cheongnam-jeongmaek Range
of the Baekdu-daegan Mountain-System of Korea
|
2b. Cheongbuk-jeongmaek Range branches
off heading west through:
Daeam-san 1566m
Dongrim-san 1165m
Manpung-deok-san 1159m
Birae-bong 1470m
Cheonma-san 1169m
Hwa-am-san 620m
ending south of Shineuiju City
Note: this branch 2a and 2b not only channels the Cheongcheon-
gang River from its north, but it also, along with the first section of
the Baekdu-daegan itself, is the southern range guiding the Amnok-
gang [Yalu River] which originates at Baekdu-san and forms the
north-central and northwestern border of Korea with China.
3. Cheongnam-jeongmaek Range branches off
from Ungeosu / Nakrim-san heading SW through:
Obong-san 1500m?
Myohyang-san Biro-bong 1909m
Myohyang-san Oseon-bong ?m
Myohyang-san Beobwang-bong ?m
Yongmun-san 1180m
Gangryong-san 446m
Mandeok-san 243m
Gwangdong-san 396m
ending at Gwangryeong-jin north of Nampo City
Note: the Daedong River runs just south of this branch.