The primary source of the Geumgang River is a spring located on Ddeunbong Peak in Subun-ri, Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do, which flows to the north. At Changnam, it changes direction and enters Bangu-ri, Buri-myeon, Geumsan-gun. From here, the river flows through steep mountains. At Sutong-ri, the precipitous cliffs of a mountain named Jeokbyeok tower proudly above, and where the river runs under these steep cliffs it is called the Jeokbyeokgang River.

Jeokbyeok literally means "red walls" in Korean. The Geumgang River under Jeokbyeok is as calm as a peaceful lake with long sandy shores. This riverbank is alive with beautiful flowers in spring, green pine trees in summer, and in fall, the green gives way to an autumnal tint, until lovely snowscapes blanket the area in winter.