Geumsansa + Moaksan, Hike a Little, Zen a Lot

#summervacay Went to Moaksan not really knowing what to expect, just heard Geumsansa was cool. Turns out, it’s really cool. Like, “wow this place feels ancient and peaceful and I should probably whisper” kind of cool. The temple is tucked right at the base of the mountain, and it's gorgeous. Gold Buddha, detailed rooftops, trees everywhere, it’s a whole vibe. After wandering around the temple grounds (and pretending I was calm and wise), I started the hike up Moaksan. It’s not crazy steep, but it’s enough to get the heart going. The trail’s forested and chill, with little workout stops and a bunch of shaded spots for water/snack breaks. The views at the top? Legit. You can see the whole valley and it’s just super calm up there. Like the temple energy follows you up the mountain. 10/10 would recommend for a slower, more mindful kind of hike. Start with the temple, hike it out, breathe deep, feel like a mountain monk for the day.