Korea is a mountainous country and hiking is a hugely popular pastime — expect grandparents out-pacing you in full GORE-TEX. These range from a short, steep granite scramble inside Seoul to UNESCO-listed peaks, from "sneakers + 2 hours" to a real summit day.
📍 Seoul · Gangbuk / Eunpyeong · Gupabal Stn (Line 3) or Bukhansan Ui Stn (Ui-Sinseol Line) · Gupabal Stn → local bus to the Bukhansanseong entrance (check KNPS for current routes); or Bukhansan Ui Stn (Ui-Sinseol Line)
Summit Korean flag photo with a 360° panorama of Seoul (836m)
·Shortest approach starts on the Ui side (Baegundae Visitor Center) — steep and rocky
·Bukhansanseong (fortress) course, 3.4km, about 2h40, moderate
·Iron-railing and bare-rock ridge sections near the summit
🕑 Sunrise hikes are popular; autumn foliage (peak dates vary yearly — see the Korea Forest Service forecast)FreeHard
💡 National park, free entry. Check KNPS for trail closures and designated hiking hours before you go. Hiking boots essential for the iron-railing rock ridges near the top.
⚠ The steep 500m just before Baegunbongammun gate is the hardest stretch · Rock ridges get slippery after summer rain
📍 Seoul · Pine Forest Trail (section 1) starts at the Uiryeong-gil entrance near Ui; Cloud Garden Trail (section 8) is on the western Eunpyeong side · Bukhansan Ui Stn (Ui-Sinseol Line) for section 1
A gentle low-level trail circling the national park through forest shade
·Viewing decks along some sections
·Cool forest shade, suitable for families and seniors
·The full loop is 71.8km in 21 themed sections — pick just one
🕑 Spring and autumn are best; flat enough for midsummer and winter tooFreeEasy
💡 Sneakers are fine. Great when you want the "mountain atmosphere" without committing to a summit climb.
Gwanaksan (Yeonjudae)관악산 (연주대)
📍 Seoul · Seoul Nat'l University side or Sadang ridge route · Seoul Nat'l University Stn (Line 2) or Sadang Stn · SNU Stn → Gwanaksan entrance; or Sadang Stn for the ridge course
Summit Yeonjudae (632m), a rock peak with a small hermitage, with views over southern Seoul
·SNU course about 2–3 hours
·Sadang ridge course is rocky and harder — good for scramblers
·Yeonjudae hermitage at the peak
🕑 Spring azaleas, autumn foliage; ridge winds are strongFreeModerate
Inwangsan (City Night-View Hike)인왕산 (도심 야경 산행)
📍 Seoul · Linked with the Hanyangdoseong fortress wall trail · Gyeongbokgung Stn or Dongnimmun Stn
Views down over Cheong Wa Dae and Gyeongbokgung from the fortress wall (about 340m)
·Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall)
·Seonbawi (Zen Rock)
·Pairs well with Namsan Tower for night views
🕑 Sunset and night views recommended; easy access even in winterFreeEasy
💡 City, history and views in one short hike — an easy first hike in Seoul.
📍 Seoul · Start at Changuimun (Jahamun) or Waryong Park
From Baegangmaru summit (342m), sweeping views of Cheong Wa Dae and Seoul
·A history trek combining hiking and heritage
·Changuimun → Hyehwamun section: 4.7km, about 3 hours
·Crosses over into the history-interest theme
🕑 Autumn foliage and clear daysFreeModerate
💡 Open 24 hours, year-round, with no entry check — just walk in. The city recommends hiking 09:00–17:00 in Nov–Feb and 07:00–18:00 or 19:00 the rest of the year.
Seoraksan (Gwongeumseong Cable Car + Biseondae)설악산 (권금성 케이블카 + 비선대)
📍 Sokcho · Seoraksan Sogongwon · Dong Seoul Terminal → Sokcho, about 2–2.5 hours
Ulsanbawi cliff scenery, Sinheungsa Temple and autumn foliage (Daecheongbong 1,708m)
·Cable car up to Gwongeumseong in about 5 minutes
·Flat trek to Biseondae, round-trip 2–3 hours
·Daecheongbong summit is a long, strenuous full-day climb for experienced hikers
🕑 October foliage; the cable car runs subject to weather₩16,000Easy
💡 Seorak cable car round trip ₩16,000 (adult); about 5 minutes each way up to Gwongeumseong — fine for non-hikers and families. No advance booking: tickets are sold on site on the day only. National park entry is free.
📍 Jeju · Seongpanak/Gwaneumsa for the summit (Baengnokdam); Yeongsil/Eorimok for mid-slope scenery
Baengnokdam crater at South Korea's highest peak (1,950m)
·Seongpanak: 9.6km one way, about 4.5 hours to the summit, with time cutoffs
·Yeongsil: about 1h30 up to Witse Oreum (5.8km to the Nambyeok junction)
·Witse Oreum azalea fields in spring
🕑 Spring azaleas on the upper slopes, autumn, winter snowscapes (crampons required)FreeHard
💡 The Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa summit trails require an online reservation (Hallasan trail reservation system); Eorimok and Yeongsil do not reach the summit. The site has limited English, so prepare ahead.
⚠ Summit courses block entry if you miss the time cutoff · Summit reservation system has weak English support
Jirisan (Nogodan / Cheonwangbong)지리산 (노고단 / 천왕봉)
📍 Gurye / Sancheong / Namwon · Nogodan is reached on foot from Seongsamjae parking lot
Nogodan plateau sea of clouds and sunrise at Korea's first national park
·Nogodan from Seongsamjae is a gentle, beginner-friendly half-day walk
·Cheonwangbong traverse is a 2-day, 1-night hard route (1,915m)
·Korea's first national park
🕑 Autumn foliage and Nogodan sea of cloudsFreeEasy
💡 The final stretch from Nogodan Pass to the summit (500m, about 30 min) needs a KNPS trail reservation. Shelter reservations are also needed for the Cheonwangbong traverse.
Daedunsan Cable Car / Geumgang Suspension Bridge대둔산 케이블카 / 금강구름다리
📍 Nonsan / Wanju · Chungnam–Jeonbuk border · Weak public transport — rental car or tour recommended
A photo-worthy thrill course of suspension bridge, steep stairs and crags
·Geumgang suspension bridge
·Samseon stair-bridge (very steep)
·Short 1–2 hour thrill route
🕑 Peak autumn foliage₩16,500Easy
💡 Cable car round trip ₩16,500 (adult; tickets sold on the day only, no advance booking; runs 09:00–17:50), then the Geumgang suspension bridge and the steep Samseon stair-bridge. Non-hikers can still reach the scenery.