The 19th Saryangdo Oknyeo Peak National Climbing Festival will be held on April 5 on Saryangdo Island, a scenic destination just 40 minutes by boat from Gaochi Port in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam Province.

Previously held in the fall, the festival is being moved to April this year to align with peak hiking season.

The event has been rebranded as the ‘Saryanghae Santa Island Festival,’ aiming to establish Saryangdo as ‘Santa Island’—a unique place where mountain climbing is possible 365 days a year.

The highlight of the event is a breathtaking course starting from Jirimangsan, one of Korea’s 100 most beautiful mountains, passing through Bulmosan, Gamabong, and finishing at Oknyeo Peak.

This course offers hikers panoramic views of both lush mountain ridges and the ocean, attracting over 400,000 visitors to Saryangdo annually.

This year, hikers can choose from various routes depending on their physical ability. Originally planned as a two-day event from April 4–5, the festival has been scaled down due to the recent forest fires in the Gyeongnam region, with the eve party and other large gatherings canceled out of respect.

Despite the scale-back, a number of events will still take place, including the Santa Island autonomous climbing competition, a bicycle challenge, an ocean boat fishing contest, a photo contest, and a local flea market.

Saryangdo is composed of three inhabited islands — Sangdo (upper), Hado (lower), and Suudo — and is connected by the iconic Saryang Bridge, which has become a symbol of the island’s charm.

USAG Daegu

Fleet Chinhae