Korea has 22 national parks, more hiking trails per capita than almost any country in the world, and a culture where hiking is the most popular weekend activity. Here is where to start. Hiking is one of Korea’s most genuinely local activities.
On any clear weekend morning, trails at Bukhansan or Seoraksan fill with Koreans of all ages in full hiking gear, proper boots, trekking poles, and windproof layers, even on warm days. The trail culture is serious, the infrastructure excellent, and the landscapes on offer range from the granite peaks above Seoul to the volcanic summit of Hallasan on Jeju Island.
For international visitors, hiking in Korea is one of the most accessible and rewarding outdoor experiences in Asia. Trails are well-maintained, clearly marked (usually in Korean and some English), and accessible by public transport from major cities.
Quick picks: Inside Seoul: Bukhansan National Park. Best coastal scenery: Seoraksan. Highest peak in Korea: Hallasan (Jeju). Most dramatic scenery: Seoraksan or Jirisan ridge. Best for combining with culture: Gyeongju area trails or Naejangsan in autumn.
Bukhansan National Park – Hiking Inside Seoul
Bukhansan is one of the most visited national parks in the world, relative to its size, a granite mountain rising to 836 metres within Seoul’s city limits, accessible by subway from multiple stations. The combination of bare granite peaks, pine forest, and Buddhist temples set into the rock face makes it extraordinary for a mountain technically within the capital of a major country.
Best trails
- Baegundae Summit Trail: The main summit trail. About 3.2 kilometres from Bukhansan Ui Station entrance, 2 to 3 hours return. The final section requires iron chains bolted into the exposed granite, but it is manageable for reasonably fit hikers. Views from the summit over Seoul are extraordinary. A permit is required on busy-season weekends; book in advance on the Bukhansan National Park website.
- Bibong Trail: A less crowded alternative summit approach from the Dobongsan area to the northeast: better autumn foliage and a more varied trail experience.
- Temple Circuit: A lower-level walk connecting several temples, including Doseon Temple, Munsu Temple, and Jingwan Temple, through a pine forest without summiting. About 4 hours for the full circuit.
- Access: Subway lines 3 and 6 have stations near the main Bukhansan trailheads. No car needed.
Gear note: Koreans take hiking gear seriously. Proper boots, poles, and layers are the norm even on casual trails. Light trainers and jeans work on the lower sections but are not appropriate for summit trails. The granite becomes slippery when wet.
Seoraksan National Park – Korea’s Most Dramatic Mountains
Seoraksan in Gangwon Province is widely considered Korea’s most beautiful national park and arguably its most dramatic landscape, with granite peaks rising above pine and maple forests, with ridgeline views across the East Sea. The park covers over 398 square kilometres and ranges from accessible day trails to serious multi-day ridge traverses.
Best trails
- Ulsanbawi Rock: The most iconic hike in Seoraksan, a massive granite outcrop reached by 808 steps from the Sogongwon area: about 4 kilometres return, 3 to 4 hours. The summit views are extraordinary, and the trail is accessible for most reasonably fit hikers.
- Daecheongbong Summit (1,708m): Seoraksan’s highest peak. A serious day hike about 12 kilometres return from the Sogongwon area, 8 to 10 hours. High exposure requires proper equipment.
- Biseondae Plateau: A gentler trail to a high rocky plateau with views of the Outer Seorak peaks. About 2 hours return. Good for those who want mountain scenery without a summit push.
- Ropeway option: A cable car from Sogongwon reaches Gwongeumseong fortress ruins at around 700 metres, giving panoramic views without hiking. 11,000 won return.
Access and logistics
The nearest city is Sokcho, about 3 hours from Seoul by express bus from East Seoul Terminal (Gangbyeon). Stay in Sokcho for 1 to 2 nights and visit the park by local bus or taxi. Sokcho also has excellent seafood. The town sits on the East Sea coast, and the fish market is one of the best in Korea.
Hallasan National Park – South Korea’s Highest Peak
Hallasan is a dormant shield volcano on Jeju Island and South Korea’s highest mountain at 1,950 metres. Hiking to the summit gives views across the entire island and, on clear days, to the Korean mainland and Japan. The trail passes through several distinct vegetation zones from subtropical forest at the base to alpine meadows near the summit.
Main summit routes
- Seongpanak Trail (recommended): The most scenic and popular summit route. About 9.6 kilometres one way, 4.5 to 5 hours up and 3.5 to 4 hours down. The trail passes through forest and emerald-green high meadows before reaching the crater lake (Baengnokdam) at the summit. Start early; the summit approach section closes at 12 pm (gates close for safety, as afternoon weather can deteriorate rapidly).
- Yeongsil Trail (no summit, spectacular views): Reaches Witseoreum shelter at 1,700 metres without going to the summit, about 2.5 hours return. The views from the ridge are extraordinary, and this is the best option for those who want the Hallasan landscape without a full summit push.
The summit requires a slot to be reserved on the national park website, as the daily number of climbers is limited. Day visitors to Jeju should plan the Hallasan hike as the primary activity for that day and start by 7 am. See the Jeju Island guide for how to combine the mountain with other island activities.
Jirisan National Park – The Ridge Traverse
Jirisan is Korea’s first national park and the mainland’s highest peak (1,915 metres). The defining experience is the Jirisan Jongju, a multi-day ridge traverse that crosses the entire mountain from east to west (or west to east) over approximately 90 kilometres of trail. Mountain shelters (대피소, daepiso) are spaced along the route.
The 2- to 3-day section from Nogodan Pass to the Cheonwangbong summit is the most popular portion, featuring spectacular ridgeline walking above the treeline with views over the Jiri range and surrounding valleys. This is serious hiking that requires proper equipment, physical fitness, and reservations for shelter.
For a day visitor, the Piagol Valley and Ssanggyesa Temple approach road (famous for its cherry blossom and autumn foliage tree tunnel) offers beautiful scenery without the multi-day commitment.
Naejangsan – Best Autumn Foliage Hiking
Naejangsan National Park in Jeollanam-do is famous as Korea’s finest autumn foliage destination, and the hiking here makes the foliage experience fully immersive rather than just visual. The main circular ridge trail (about 7 kilometres, 4 to 5 hours) rings a valley of maple, oak, and beech trees in late October; the colours are extraordinary. The valley floor approach through the Naejangsa Temple area is flat and accessible to all fitness levels.
Korea Hiking: Practical Notes
When to hike
Spring (April to May) and autumn (late September to November) are the best seasons for comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and peak visual beauty. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, but trails are operational. Winter hiking is possible on lower trails, but summit routes can be dangerous without proper equipment, especially in inclement weather.
What to bring
Proper hiking boots (mandatory on granite and wet trails), trekking poles (highly recommended; Koreans use them universally), layers for mountain temperature changes, a packed lunch (mountain restaurants exist but are expensive), and plenty of water. Korean pharmacies sell excellent trail snacks and energy supplements.
Trail apps and navigation
The Naver Map app has detailed trail information for most Korean national parks. The national park websites (available in English) have trail maps, opening hours, and permit booking systems. Download offline maps before going into areas with poor mobile coverage.
Getting around
Most national parks are accessible by express bus from Seoul. The T-money card works on intercity buses as well as city transport. See the T-money card guide for setup details.
