The moment you set foot on Wando, a solid ridge of peaks rising from the centre of the island catches your eye. That is Sangwangsan. A mountain on an island may sound unusual, but Wando is one of the larger islands in Korea, and Sangwangsan forms its backbone — a proper mountain in every sense.
A Mountain With a Name Worth Knowing
Sangwangsan was historically known as Sanghwangbong (象皇峰). In June 2017, the National Geographic Information Institute officially reinstated the original name Sangwangbong (象王峯) through public notice No. 2017-1797, and at the same time established Sangwangsan (象王山) as the mountain's official designation. That same notice formally defined the mountain as encompassing five peaks: Suksungbong,Eopjinbong, Baegwunbong, Sangwangbong, and Simbong. All five peak names are said to derive from Buddhist terminology — a detail that gives each ridge crossing a little extra meaning if you know it before you set out.
Sangwangsan also appears on the Korea Forest Service's list of 100 Notable Mountains, recognition that places it alongside well-regarded peaks much closer to Seoul. Despite that status, visitor numbers remain modest; many travellers pass it over simply because it sits on an island. That relative quiet is itself one of the reasons to consider it in August.
Why August in Particular
Summer hiking usually raises concerns about heat, but Sangwangsan benefits from its island geography: sea breezes reach the mountain from every direction. Once you gain the ridge, wind off the water cools the sweat in a way that inland mountains rarely manage. In the forested valley sections, the tree canopy is thick, and although humidity is high, air still moves through. For many visitors, it is a more comfortable option than a midsummer day on city pavement.
August is also when the vegetation around Wando reaches its deepest green. Broad-leaved trees crowd the trail into what amounts to a continuous green tunnel. On clear days, views of the Dadohae — Korea's multi-island southern sea — open up between the ridges with a bright, open quality; on overcast days, sea mist settling over the water creates an entirely different atmosphere.
Planning the Five-Peak Ridge Walk
The real draw of Sangwangsan is not a single summit and back but the traverse linking all five peaks from Suksungbong to Simbong — a north-to-south crossing of the island along the main ridge. That kind of end-to-end island traverse is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Trailheads are accessible from several directions around Wando, giving reasonable flexibility on where to start. However, transport from the exit point after a traverse deserves attention before you leave: taxi availability can be limited at some trail ends, so confirm your descent point and your return route in advance.
Getting to Wando
By road, the standard approach is the West Coast Expressway south toward Gangjin and Haenam, then across Wando Bridge onto the island. By bus, direct long-distance services run to Wando from Seoul and Gwangju, among other cities. From Wando town centre, local county buses and taxis cover the distance to the various trailheads.
August Hiking Checklist
In midsummer, hydration is the first priority — carry more water than you think you need. Starting at or just after sunrise lets you complete the exposed ridge sections before the midday sun is at its strongest, and the early-morning combination of sea mist and low sunlight on the ridge can be a notable sight in its own right. Because island weather can shift quickly, check the forecast without fail before you set out.
