One of my favorite National Parks in Korea happens to be Bukhansan National Park. Bukhansan offers some pretty spectacular views of Seoul when you get to Baegundae Peak. It can be a tough hike but very rewarding once you make it to the summit. You can even hike some of the easier trails, that offer gorgeous views of Seoul. Here is your guide to hiking Bukhansan National Park Near Seoul! you need to know about hiking in this beautiful National Park in Korea.
A brief bit about Bukhansan National Park
Just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city of Seoul, Bukhansan National Park is a haven for hiking enthusiasts. The park’s highest point, Baegundae Peak, offers a challenging hike that rewards you with a beautiful view of the city. It can get quite packed at the top of the peak though and on weekends it can be crowded. Be prepared to be shoulder-to-shoulder with others as you ascend to the top. My recommendation is to visit during the week. You’ll have a lot more freedom at the top of the peak and you won’t be waiting for your turn to take a picture at the top.
One of the most interesting facts, this park is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Most Visited National Park per Unit Area” The History of Bukhansan can be traced back to the Joseon Dynasty when the royal family would utilize the area for hunting. The mountains also served as a retreat for the family and they constructed many temples. In 1983 Bukhansan was given the title of a National Park by the South Korean government because they recognized the ecological and cultural value of the area.
If you didn’t bring your hiking gear, no problem! Seoul Hiking Tourism is at the base of Bukhansan and you can rent hiking gear!
Website:
The Seoul Hiking Tourism Center
Address:
South Korea, Seoul, Gangbuk-gu, Samyang-ro 173-gil, 52 5μΈ΅
What type of food should I take up there?
Before you hike the mountain remember to stop by a GS25 or 7/11 to grab some snacks for your hike up. You’ll typically see Koreans snacking on Ramyeon, Gimbap, and other scrumptious treats. Sometimes you may see Koreans drinking beer and soju. I even saw a man selling popsicles. It’s a cool part of their hiking culture to set up a picnic blanket and have a feast somewhere at the top of the trail.
How to get to Bukhansan National Park
Where do you start? If you are interested in starting on the west side of Bukhansan you’ll want to take the metro to Jogno 3-ga station and then catch a bus to the Bukhansanseong Fortress entrance. To get to the East Entrance you’ll take the metro to Songshin Women’s University Station.
When is the best time to go to Bukhansan National Park?
The best time to go would be spring and fall.
During the spring you’ll see flowers blooming and while at times it can be quite chilly, pack enough layers and you will be fine. During the fall Bukhansan is full of beautiful colors.
Summertime in Korea is brutal so make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks. Know your limits.
Which Trails Should I Choose?
There are a plethora of trails around Bukhansan National Park! These are my top three!
Bukhansanseong Course (most popular)
This is one of the toughest. This course leads to Baegundae Peak, it is around 4.2 Km one way and takes 4-6 hours. You’ll get PLENTY of scenic views here and keep in mind, hiking in Korea means there are lots of stairs. They don’t do switchbacks, it’s stairs.
I would set aside a considerable amount of time for this one because depending on your fitness level and how crowded it is you may end up taking longer.
Samobawi Hiking Course
This is a very leisurely course and you may still feel challenged but not like you would be if you were hiking Baegundae.
From the Gugi Information Center, this course goes through Gugi Valley, Daenammun Gate, Munsubong Peak, Seunggabong Peak, Samobawi Rock, and Seunggasa Temple. With a total distance of 6 km, you;ll be able to explore Bukhansan Mountain in about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
There are slopes and steep climbs but it’s a very leisurely course and I appreciated it very much.
Wonhyobong Hiking Course
5.14km out and back trail. Perfect for beginners, as the start of this hike is relatively flat. You’ll pass by Bukhansanseong Information Center to get to Seoammun Gate. This should take you to Wonhyoam Hermitage. Once you pass Wonhyoam Hermitage and climb a short rope course, you will finally reach Wonhyobong Peak.
Should I Use a Hiking App to help me out?
All trails works just fine. Please note that Googlemaps doesn’t work in Korea and you’ll need to download one of their navigation apps. Naver was one of my favorites while in Korea and you could use it to find hiking trails just fine.
Essentials for Hiking in Korea
Bring Sunscreen and Sunproof Gear. Wear a hat, the sun is killer. Bring lots of water with you and if you plan on hiking during the winter bundle up as it can get cold in Korea on the mountains.
I used my hiking poles as well while I was there
Have fun on your hiking trip to Bukhansan National Park and I hope this Guide to Bukhansan National Park helps you out!
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Do you have any recommendations for other parks?