Last checked: October 27, 2026. Important: I could not confirm the 2026 dates on an official page, so please check with Gurye County before you plan a trip.
The Jirisan Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival is a local autumn event in Piagol Valley, on the south side of Jirisan National Park in Gurye, Jeollanam-do. Piagol is known for its red maple leaves. Two secondary sources list this year’s festival as November 7 to 8, 2026, but another source says the exact 2026 date was not yet confirmed when it was written in early October. Treat the dates below as reported, not official.
Quick facts
- Reported dates: Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 8, 2026 (unconfirmed)
- Where: Piagol area, Toji-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
- Admission: One listing shows it as free. I could not verify this.
- Program (reported): A foliage ritual, traditional performances and a “Samhong Foliage Concert.” One source says the detailed program and shuttle buses had not been announced yet.
Will the leaves still be red?
Timing matters. One blog reported only about 10% coloring on October 16 and expected peak color from around October 25 to November 5. It also says the festival dates may fall after the peak, and weather can shift things. The Korea Forest Service forecast, quoted by another site, put the Jirisan maple peak at October 27. Valley bottoms and higher ground color at different times, so check the latest foliage report or call the park before you go. If seeing the leaves is your main goal, you may get a better view a little earlier than the festival.
Parking
One source lists parking near Yeongoksa Temple, around Jikjeon village and at the national park’s Yeongok branch lot, and says temporary lots may open during the festival. Expect crowds and traffic directions on festival days.
Tips for international visitors
- Confirm the dates with Gurye County before booking transport or a room.
- Gurye is rural. Check bus times or arrange a car in advance.
- Wear layers and sturdy shoes. Valley trails can be cool and uneven.
- Stay on marked trails and take your trash with you.
Sources
- Muhan Jisik Changgo (sano.co.kr), Piagol festival 2026 schedule and foliage timing (October 19, 2026, secondary)
- foxcg.com, November 2026 festival roundup (secondary)
- make2t.kr, 2026 autumn foliage festival schedule (October 3, 2026, secondary)