A Special Day in Murengeti
Upon arrival, the view was breathtaking — towering rocks and golden reed fields framed against the sea made it feel like we had stepped into another world. At that moment, we truly understood why this place was called “Murengeti.”
With only us in this vast landscape, our dogs ran freely across the field, fully enjoying the adventure. Even Byul, who usually stuck close to us, eagerly joined in. This beautiful moment became a key highlight of our journey.
Battling the Winds While Setting Up Camp
Setting up our tent was more challenging than expected due to the strong sea breeze. The uneven ground, alternating between soft sand and rocky patches, made it difficult to secure tent pegs. Despite these hurdles, our determination as second-time backpackers kept us going.
Our furry friends patiently waited as we finished setting up camp. With our Bug Guard field test underway, the dogs sported new protective gear against insects and ticks while freely exploring the campsite.
As night fell, the cold wind intensified. To warm ourselves, we took out our much-anticipated sashimi — exciting not only for us but also for Amon and Euntak, who eagerly awaited their share.
A Starry Night to Remember
After dinner, we turned off all lights and gazed up at the sky. The stars shone brilliantly, with the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia clearly visible. The mesmerizing night sky, accompanied by the sound of waves and gentle breathing of our dogs in the tent, was an unforgettable experience.
Morning in Murengeti
Despite mysterious nighttime sounds outside the tent, our exhausted dogs slept soundly. They woke us up even before our sunrise alarm, eager to start the day.
At 7:40 AM, we witnessed a breathtaking sunrise over the sea, a moment we captured with our dogs in a cherished family photo. These peaceful mornings in nature reminded us of the simple joys we often overlook in daily life — reinforcing the purpose of our Switch On journey.
Descending Through the Mountain Trail
Packing up was easier in the morning as the wind had subsided. However, we noticed condensation between the tent and rainfly, a reminder of the chilly night.
For the descent, we opted for the lesser-known mountain trail instead of the waterway. Since information about this route was scarce, we wanted to document it for future travelers.
Near the end of the first coastal trail, just before the large rocks, we found a faded blue arrow painted on a boulder, marking the entrance to the mountain path. This trail was steeper and narrower than expected, with sheer drop-offs requiring careful footing.
Without trekking poles, navigating this descent would have been significantly more challenging. While the waterway route is more popular, the choice between trails depends on your group and your dogs’ abilities.
The second journey of the Switch On campaign took us to Muui-do, a well-known backpacking destination affectionately called “Murengeti.”
Spending time in nature is always special. But what if you could share that experience with your beloved dog? That would make the adventure even more extraordinary.
In this article, we share our backpacking experience in Murengeti with our canine companions — from preparation to the end of our journey, including the little episodes that happened along the way and the unique value of traveling with dogs. We hope this story provides useful insights for your next adventure.
So, let’s begin our journey to Murengeti with our furry friends.
Our Canine Travel Companions
Backpacking is challenging and demanding, but with our beloved dogs by our side, every hardship turns into a meaningful and enjoyable experience.
This journey was even more special because of our four canine adventurers: Amon, a Border Collie who was always eager for a new trip even after continuous workdays; Byul, a chubby Poodle; Euntak, a dignified new Border Collie companion; and Nora, a tiny Poodle who believes she’s a Border Collie.
Backpacking in Murengeti with these four dogs was filled with unexpected challenges and touching moments.
The Road to the Campsite
Our team was fully prepared.
Based on our previous experience at Taegisan, we upgraded our gear with new trekking poles and chairs from Montbell. Looking back, this upgrade saved us from significant hardship.
When embarking on a rugged journey with a heavy backpack, the most essential gear is a hybrid harness. Among our canine crew, the one taking on the biggest mission this time is Amon, now on his second backpacking expedition. One of our key objectives for this trip is the field test of the Hik-end Modular Bag, with Amon carrying the prototype throughout the journey.
Murengeti’s trails offer two routes: a scenic rocky waterway and a lush forest path. Since it was low tide, we opted for the waterway to reach Murengeti’s iconic landmark — the rock formations.
On a quiet Thursday afternoon, the only sounds on the trail were our laughter and the excited footsteps of our dogs.
The trek began with uphill climbs through the forest, revealing breathtaking ocean views on our left. Soon, we reached the real waterway. The path was filled with large boulders and seashell-covered sand, making it difficult for small dogs to navigate. Even for us, carrying heavy backpacks, it was a tough challenge. Without TAILHIGH’s Hybrid Harness, which allows easy leash transitions, it would have been much harder.
Overcoming Unexpected Obstacles
As we arrived at the famous Murengeti photo spot, we faced an unexpected hurdle — the rocks were much steeper in person than they appeared in pictures.
If you’re backpacking solo with a small dog, this section could be difficult to cross. Staring at the towering rocks, we couldn’t help but laugh at our situation. But what’s an adventure without challenges?
We worked as a team, with one person crossing first and carefully carrying each dog over the rocks. Strong winds blew through the rock formations, making it even more precarious, but we couldn’t miss capturing a proof shot of our visit to Murengeti!
A Special Day in Murengeti
Upon arrival, the view was breathtaking — towering rocks and golden reed fields framed against the sea made it feel like we had stepped into another world. At that moment, we truly understood why this place was called “Murengeti.”
With only us in this vast landscape, our dogs ran freely across the field, fully enjoying the adventure. Even Byul, who usually stuck close to us, eagerly joined in. This beautiful moment became a key highlight of our journey.
Battling the Winds While Setting Up Camp
Setting up our tent was more challenging than expected due to the strong sea breeze. The uneven ground, alternating between soft sand and rocky patches, made it difficult to secure tent pegs. Despite these hurdles, our determination as second-time backpackers kept us going.
Our furry friends patiently waited as we finished setting up camp. With our Bug Guard field test underway, the dogs sported new protective gear against insects and ticks while freely exploring the campsite.
As night fell, the cold wind intensified. To warm ourselves, we took out our much-anticipated sashimi — exciting not only for us but also for Amon and Euntak, who eagerly awaited their share.
A Starry Night to Remember
After dinner, we turned off all lights and gazed up at the sky. The stars shone brilliantly, with the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia clearly visible. The mesmerizing night sky, accompanied by the sound of waves and gentle breathing of our dogs in the tent, was an unforgettable experience.
Morning in Murengeti
Despite mysterious nighttime sounds outside the tent, our exhausted dogs slept soundly. They woke us up even before our sunrise alarm, eager to start the day.
At 7:40 AM, we witnessed a breathtaking sunrise over the sea, a moment we captured with our dogs in a cherished family photo. These peaceful mornings in nature reminded us of the simple joys we often overlook in daily life — reinforcing the purpose of our Switch On journey.
Descending Through the Mountain Trail
Packing up was easier in the morning as the wind had subsided. However, we noticed condensation between the tent and rainfly, a reminder of the chilly night.
For the descent, we opted for the lesser-known mountain trail instead of the waterway. Since information about this route was scarce, we wanted to document it for future travelers.
Near the end of the first coastal trail, just before the large rocks, we found a faded blue arrow painted on a boulder, marking the entrance to the mountain path. This trail was steeper and narrower than expected, with sheer drop-offs requiring careful footing.
Without trekking poles, navigating this descent would have been significantly more challenging. While the waterway route is more popular, the choice between trails depends on your group and your dogs’ abilities.
As we reached the second coastal stretch, we looked back at the towering rock formations, feeling accomplished. The journey had been physically demanding but emotionally fulfilling, especially sharing it with our dogs.
Final Thoughts
Backpacking in Murengeti was more than just a trip; it was a testament to the unbreakable bond between humans and their canine companions. The experience reaffirmed why we embarked on the Switch On journey — to immerse ourselves in nature, cherish every moment with our dogs, and discover new paths together.
If you’re considering a backpacking adventure with your dog, Murengeti is a destination worth experiencing. Just be sure to prepare well, choose the right gear, and most importantly, enjoy every step of the journey.
Until our next adventure — Switch On!
Course and Distance
1/16 | Water Path Course: Green Cafe — Murengeti Park (2.4km)
1/17 | Mountain Path Course: Murengeti Park — Green Cafe