Sanjeong Lake: My Favorite 90-Minute Getaway from Gangnam

Sanjeong Lake 
89 Sanjeonghosu-ro 411beon-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

What once required an overnight stay now feels like a spontaneous escape. Thanks to newly expanded roads, Sanjeong Lake (산정호수) is no longer a distant weekend plan — it’s a refreshing 90-minute drive from Gangnam if you leave early enough. And that has become one of my favorite routines:

Wake up before the city does.

Hit the road just before 8 a.m.

Coffee in hand.

A calm drive northward as the skyline fades into mountains.

By 9:30 a.m., I’m stepping out of the car and into the stillness of the lake’s morning air.

My go-to route starts with the hiking trail toward Soaring Dragon Waterfall (등룡폭포). Today, the rain had been kind — the mountain was alive with water. Tiny, unexpected waterfalls spilled along the path, turning the trail into its own little adventure. I rarely push for the peak; instead, I like to preserve my energy for a slow, scenic walk around the lake later on. For me, the day isn’t about conquering a mountain — it’s about savoring it.

But first: brunch.

By the time I make it down, it’s usually close to 11 a.m. And rather than scrolling through Instagram reviews, I finally stepped inside a spot I always pass but never tried: 등산로가든 (Deungsan-ro Garden).

I ordered exactly what my hiking body wanted —

a humble 산채비빔밥 (wild vegetable bibimbap)

and the hiker’s classic 도토리묵무침 (seasoned acorn jelly salad).

Nothing flashy.

Just honest, fresh mountain flavors.

And it was perfect — the kind of perfect that makes you ask yourself why you didn’t try it sooner.

With renewed energy, I wandered the lakeside trail that hugs Sanjeong Lake’s edge. The views are always stunning — mountains meeting water, reflections dancing with every breeze. If only the amusement park near the entrance wasn’t blasting loud music into the otherwise magical quiet… it would be truly idyllic. Still, nature has a way of making the noise fade if you let your eyes do the listening.

As always, I wrapped up the trip with a classic combo:

an iced americano and a 단팥빵 from the century-old bakery nearby — a sweet bite of nostalgia before heading back to Seoul.

On the road again by 1 p.m., just ahead of the Sunday traffic.

A whole mini-vacation — and home in time for a slow afternoon.

Sanjeong Lake never disappoints.

It’s the perfect reminder that adventure doesn’t always require distance —

just intention, and a bit of early morning curiosity.