Wanderyn
Daegwallyeong
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · KR

Daegwallyeong

Getting around: From Gangneung, take a local bus or taxi up the pass (about 40 minutes); it's also crossed by the highway connecting Gangneung to Pyeongchang and points west.
Hours: Accessible year-round, though winter conditions can bring snow closures or hazardous driving; the sheep farm and wind turbine viewing areas generally open daylight hours.

Daegwallyeong is the mountain pass connecting Gangneung's coastal lowlands to the Pyeongchang highlands, historically a difficult crossing and now known for its sweeping highland scenery, wind turbines lining the ridgelines, and a well-known sheep farm (Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch) with rolling green pastures that feel distinctly un-Korean, more reminiscent of alpine Europe.

It's most often visited as a scenic drive-through or dedicated stop at the sheep ranch, popular for photos of the wind turbines against grassy hills, especially in summer when the pastures are green.

Daegwallyeong FAQs

What's the sheep ranch here?

Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch, a large hillside pasture with grazing sheep and sweeping views, popular for its unusually alpine-looking scenery.

Why are there wind turbines?

The pass's high elevation and strong winds make it a prime wind energy site, and the turbines have become part of its scenic identity.

Is it snowy in winter?

Yes, it gets significant snow and can be one of the harsher driving passes in the region during winter months.

Is this the same area as the PyeongChang Olympics?

It's in the broader Pyeongchang highland region, near several of the 2018 Winter Olympics venues.

Best season to visit?

Summer for green pastures, or winter for snow scenery, though driving conditions are trickier then.

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