SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- The autumn foliage at Baemsagol Valley in Mount. Jiri is expected to reach its peak around early November.

According to the Jirisan National Park's North Jeolla office Friday, the foliage in Baemsagol Valley in Sannae-myeon, Namwon, began changing colors from the summit and has now descended to ridges at elevations of 700-800 meters.

The foliage is expected to reach its peak next week as the colors spread down to elevations of 600-700 meters.

By around Nov. 10, the foliage is expected to reach the entrance of Baemsagol Valley.

The autumn colors of Baemsagol, combined with the valley's unusual rock formations and clear waters along its 9-kilometer length, create a spectacular landscape and are considered among the finest foliage sights in Korea.

This year, however, the foliage is said to be less impressive than in previous years due to a prolonged autumn drought and a sharp recent drop in temperatures.

Namwon plans to hold the Baemsagol Autumn Foliage Festival and the Dotagol Local Food Festival on Nov. 7 to coincide with the peak foliage season.

Kang Gil-young, head of the Jirisan National Park's Jeonbuk office, said, "Although this year's condition is somewhat disappointing, Baemsagol remains one of the country's finest autumn foliage destinations," adding, "I hope many people visit and fully enjoy the deepening autumn atmosphere of Jirisan."

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