When I wasn’t stuck teaching English in a small town on South Korea’s eastern coast, I was finding any excuse to escape to Seoul for the weekend. From the neon lights to the traditional architecture to street food, it was everything I wanted from my Korea adventure. (And wasn’t quite finding from my small-town Korean living.)
One of the things that surprised me most about Seoul was how easy it was to trade in the chaos of the city for a mountain trail. Whenever I needed a break, I’d step off the subway, walk ten minutes, and, soon, I’d be climbing above the skyline. It never gets old.
Seoul is one of the few megacities I’ve visited where hiking isn’t a full-day trip; it can be a quick morning break. The mountains surrounding the capital are laced with trails for every fitness level, many reachable directly by metro.
If I wanted to plan a Seoul hiking adventure (without a tour or long bus rides), here’s where I’d start…
What to know before you hit the trails
The first time I went hiking in Seoul (with minor soju-inspired sleepiness lurking under the hood), I was genuinely surprised at how straightforward it was. The city is ringed by forested mountains, and most of the trailheads are a short walk from a metro station. I loved the chance to step off the subway, lace up my shoes, and be rollin’ along on an epic hiking trail within minutes.
The flip side is the crowds. Koreans take their hiking seriously. Whether I was hitting trails around Seoul or around Gwangwon-do, where I was living, it seemed to be practically a national pastime.
On a clear weekend morning, don’t be surprised when you feel as if you’re sharing the trail with what feels like half the city. (I learned quickly after a few hikes that getting an early start isn’t optional.)
The good news is that none of the hikes I outline below require technical experience or specialist gear. A decent pair of hiking shoes and weather-appropriate layers will get you up most of Seoul’s best trails. The views, though, will make you feel like you earned something far more difficult.
Here are 6 Seoul hikes I’d (actually) get out of bed for…
Bukhansan
If I could only recommend one hike in Seoul, Bukhansan would be it.
Sitting just north of the city center, Bukhansan is the highest point within Seoul’s city limits. Standing on Baegundae Peak at 840 meters with the city sprawling in every direction below you is one of those moments that makes the early alarm completely worth it. (Coming from a decidedly not-morning person, this means something.)
Most hikers begin their first Bukhansan hiking adventure on the Bukhansanseong Fortress Course. This 3.4-kilometer trail starts at the Bukhansanseong Hiking Support Center and extends to Baegundae, the mountain’s highest peak.
In my experience, other than a steep section nearing Baegundae Peak, the Bukhansanseong Fortress Course is accessible for people of all ages and most fitness levels. Most of the hike is an easy walk through forested trails.
I’d budget around 3-4 hours for the full round trip, longer if you stop to soak in the views. (And you absolutely should. They’re magnificent.)
The one honest caveat: Bukhansan attracts around 5 million hikers a year. And on a clear weekend morning, it really shows. If you’re expecting a quiet nature escape to yourself, you might be disappointed. Get there early, and you’ll have a far better time than if you roll up at noon.
If you’ve got the legs for it after the summit, skip the return via the same route and follow the Fortress Wall of Seoul to Daedongmun Gate, descending via a 4-kilometer alternative route. This alternative return route will take about 3 hours, but the change of scenery makes it worthwhile.
Before heading back into the city, I’d strongly recommend stopping at one of the traditional restaurants clustered near the entrance. Go straight for the pajeon (green onion pancakes) and doenjang jjigae (fermented soybean paste stew) with makgeolli. It’s the classic Korean post-hike combination. After a few hours on the mountain, I’ve yet to find many things more satisfying than this.
How to get to Bukhansan
To reach the Bukhansanseong Fortress Course via Seoul public transportation, take the metro to Gupabal Station (Line 3). Outside Exit 1, hop onto bus 704 to Bukhansanseong Fortress. Get off at the Bukhansanseong Hiking Support Center to enter Bukhansan National Park. Follow the signposts to your preferred route.
Namsan
If I were short on time and couldn’t fit in a hike to Bukhansan, Namsan would be a great compromise. (And I mean that in the kindest way possible.)
Located steps from Myeongdong in the heart of the city, Namsan is the most convenient hike in Seoul. I loved that I could be wandering through one of the city’s busiest shopping districts one minute and climbing a forested trail the next. That contrast alone makes it worth setting aside time for.
Once atop Namsan, several hiking trails await, offering wonderful views over the city amid relaxing natural scenery. If you’re visiting Seoul in spring, you may even catch some of the city’s most beautiful cherry blossoms here.
(This is another reason I’d recommend timing your visit to Seoul carefully.)
Also at the apex is N Seoul Tower, one of the Korean capital’s most recognizable landmarks. I’d recommend visiting the observation deck if you want to double the height of your views.
Going on your Namsan hike in the evening with your better half? The restaurants at N Seoul Tower make for a romantic way to end the night, dining above the bright lights of the city.
That said, I’d suggest skipping the restaurants at N Seoul Tower itself unless you’re specifically after the romantic evening experience. As much as I like the views up here, the restaurants are, admittedly, a tad overpriced.
Instead, I’d head back down to Myeongdong. It’s right at the bottom of the mountain with some of the best street food in Seoul waiting for you.
After working up an appetite on the trail, I’d head straight for the tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) from one of the street stalls, or grab a hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar and nuts) for the walk back to your hotel.
If you’ve still got room, Korean fried chicken from one of the spots along the main strip. That’s never a bad call!
How to get to Namsan
There are several ways to get up Namsan from the city center. One of the easiest is from Myeongdong. First, zip over to Myeongdong Station (Line 4). Using Exit 3, walk south for one block. Stick left at the fork in the road.
Keep walking straight until you reach a set of stairs leading to Sopa-ro. Turn right and follow Sopa-ro past the Namsan Cable Car Station. Walk a little further, and you should see some stairs to your right. They’ll lead you up Namsan.
Naksan
If Namsan is Seoul’s most convenient hike, Naksan is its quieter, less famous neighbor. At 124 meters, it sits well below Namsan’s 262-meter peak, but the views over central Seoul from the summit are just as rewarding, in my opinion. (And the trail has a fraction of the crowds.)
The full hiking route up and over Naksan follows the Seoul City Wall for 2.1km from Hyehwamun Gate in the north to Heunginjimun Gate near Dongdaemun in the south. Along the way, you’ll pass through Jangsu Village, a postwar hillside community with an interesting story, before reaching the summit and descending through Ihwa Mural Village.
I’d recommend starting the hike up Naksan from the north at Hansung University Station Exit 4. The southern approach from Heunginjimun is the steepest section of the trail. There’s no good reason to tackle it uphill when the gentler north-to-south direction gives hikers a better overall experience.
My honest take is if you’ve already done Namsan and want something quieter without leaving the city center, Naksan is the next urban hike I’d send you on. If you’re only in the city once and have an extra day free to escape the urban jungle, Bukhansan is still the right call.
After the hike, Mukja Golmok in Dongdaemun Market is a 10-minute walk from Heunginjimun Gate. I’d head straight for the whole-chicken soup at Granny Jin Ok-Hwa Original Dak Hanmari (18 Jong-ro 40ga-gil). It’s been serving the same dish since 1978 and there’s usually a queue out the door by early evening.
How to get to Naksan
Take Seoul Metro Line 4 to Hansung University Station. Use Exit 4 and walk about 3 minutes to the trail entrance at Hyehwamun Gate.
Achasan
Achasan doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Compared to Bukhansan or Dobongsan (more on that in a sec), it can seem vertically challenged. (And honestly, by Seoul hiking standards, it kinda is.)
But I’d argue that’s exactly what makes it worth doing.
The views from the ridge are among the finest I’ve experienced hiking around Seoul. And the fact that you don’t need to destroy your knees and quads to get there makes it a smart choice if you’re working it into a full day in Seoul.
Once you’ve made your way up to Achasan’s ridge (about 30 minutes from the entrance), a slew of hiking courses await, ranging between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. I’d recommend picking one and following it through rather than doubling back the same way.
One of the most interesting parts of the journey for me was Achasan Park itself. It’s peppered with military fortifications dating back to the Goguryeo Era (37BC-668AD). I found wandering around the remnants of Achasanseong Fortress genuinely fascinating. It wasn’t something I expected to stumble upon mid-hike.
After the hike, the neighborhood restaurants near the park entrance are worth stopping at. I’d go for sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew). This dish is simple, cheap, and it’s exactly what you’ll want after spending a few hours on your feet.
How to get to Achasan
Take Seoul Metro Line 5 to Achasan Station. From Exit 2, walk straight along Cheonho-daero. Turn left at Jayang-ro. Walk about 3 blocks and swing right at the Y-junction. Follow the road and turn right at Yeonghwasa-ro. The entrance to Achasan Park will be on your right, uphill past the school.
Bugaksan
As much as I love all the other hikes, Bugaksan might be the most interesting of the bunch. And it’s not just because of the views.
This 342-meter-high mountain looms north of Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of Seoul’s beautiful Grand Palaces. It also hovers above the Blue House (Cheongwadae), the South Korean president’s official residence.
The extra security precautions due to its location give the atmosphere at Bugaksan a tension you won’t find anywhere else on other Seoul hiking trails.
(I found it added to the experience rather than dulling it, but I’ll admit that’s a matter of personality. You might not dig it as much.)
The history here is genuinely fascinating. Back in 1968, Bugaksan was the backdrop for an interesting battle. The skirmish started when a group of North Korean commandos set course to assassinate the South Korean president. Their plot ultimately failed when they were gunned down nearby by South Korean and American soldiers.
It’s hardly surprising that the mountain was off-limits to civilians for decades. It wasn’t until 2007 that hikers were allowed back in. And even today, there’s still a military presence on the mountain. You’ll need your passport to access certain sections. Don’t leave your accommodation without it.
Once you’re up there, Bugaksan is home to the Seoul Fortress Wall and some of the finest views over the city and surrounding area I’ve seen from any trail in Seoul. (The passport checks and security gates are a small price to pay, in my opinion.)
After the hike, I’d head towards Gyeongbokgung Palace rather than looking for food near the trailhead. Options near the entrance are limited, given the security restrictions in the area.
The streets around Gyeongbokgung Palace have plenty of solid options for a post-hike meal. My top recommendation in the area is Tosokchon (5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil), one of Seoul’s most famous spots for samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). It’s been serving up bowls of rich, restorative ginseng chicken since the 1980s. (And after a few hours on the mountain, especially on a cool spring or fall day, it’s exactly the kind of meal your body is asking for.)
If you’d rather graze than sit down for a full meal, Tongin Market (18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil) is worth a detour, too. You buy brass coins at the entrance and use them to sample dishes from different stalls throughout the market. (Yep, it’s as fun as it sounds.)
How to get to Bugaksan
Take the Seoul Subway to Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) and leave via Exit 3. At the bus stop outside, take green bus 1020, 7022, or 7212 to Jahamun Gate Hill (Changuimun Gate). Walk two minutes along Changuimun-ro to reach the entrance.
Dobongsan
If Bukhansan is the classic Seoul hike, Dobongsan is the one for hikers who want to push themselves a little harder. At 740 meters, it’s the most challenging trail on this list. But it’s also, in my opinion, one of the most rewarding.
Since you’re further from the city center, Dobongsan feels more genuinely “out there” than the other hikes on this list. The densely forested valley on the main ascent and the rugged ridgeline above it give it a proper mountain feel that’s harder to find closer to the city.
Just don’t expect solitude here. Like every other popular trail in Seoul, the crowds will quickly remind you of where you are. This holds especially true on weekends and holidays.
The main ascent passes through a densely forested valley before climbing up to the ridgeline. Once you’re on the ridge, you’ll have plenty of route options.
I should warn you, though: Some of the higher peak routes involve challenging and even dangerous terrain for inexperienced hikers. Choose wisely and don’t overestimate your hiking skills.
One of my favorite things about Dobongsan is how easy it is to get to. (Ironically, it’s a tad easier to reach than some of the closer hikes on this list.)
And the post-hike situation here might just be the best of the bunch. The street vendor strip right outside Dobongsan Station is almost a rite of passage for serious Seoul hikers.
After coming off the mountain, I’d head straight for dotori-muk (acorn jelly) and pajeon with a cold makgeolli. It’s one of those combinations that tastes far better after a few hours of climbing than it has any right to.
How to get to Dobongsan
Take the subway to Dobongsan Station (Lines 1 & 7). From Exit 1, cross the street and make your way through the street vendors to the entrance of Bukhansan National Park.
What to pack for hiking in Seoul
- Hiking Shoes: Full-on hiking boots are probably overkill for most of these trails, with the possible exception of Dobongsan. Either way, you’ll want a sturdy pair of hiking shoes with good footbed support. I’ve always hiked in low-cut trail runners in Seoul and never felt under-equipped.
- Lightweight Clothing: You’re gonna be burning some serious calories and sweating on these hikes, particularly in summer. Lightweight, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking clothing is worth throwing into your Korea packing list.
- Daypack: Since you’ll be out for at least a few hours, you’ll need somewhere to stash water, snacks, and a layer or two. Nothing fancy required. A simple 20- to 25-liter daypack will do the trick.
- Rain Jacket: Even if you’ve timed your visit well, Korean weather has a habit of surprising you. I’d always stuff a lightweight rain jacket in my pack regardless of the forecast.
- Softshell Jacket: Hiking in autumn? Temperatures drop faster than you’d expect once you’re on the ridge. Something warm and windproof is worth having on hand.
- Water Bottle: There are no refill stations on most of these trails. Bring more water than you think you need, especially if you’re tackling these hiking trails in the hot summer months.
