All-Time Best
Bukhansan National Park
Bukhansan National Park
Korea's most visited national park per square meter, this granite mountain fortress offers dramatic peaks, ancient Buddhist temples, and stunning panoramic views of Seoul. The park features over 100 peaks with the highest being Baegundae at 836 meters, accessible via multiple trails of varying difficulty.
Highlights
- Dramatic granite peaks
- Ancient fortress walls
- Buddhist temples
- 360-degree Seoul views
Namsan Tower Trail
Namsan Tower Trail
Seoul's iconic central mountain offers multiple trails leading to the famous N Seoul Tower. The paths wind through forested slopes and along the historic Seoul Fortress Wall, providing spectacular city views and romantic lock-covered fences at the summit.
Highlights
- Iconic N Seoul Tower
- Love locks tradition
- Multiple trail options
- Night hiking popular
Inwangsan Mountain
Inwangsan Mountain
A sacred shamanistic mountain offering dramatic rocky landscapes and well-preserved sections of the Seoul Fortress Wall. The trail provides unique perspectives of the city alongside ancient shrines and the mysterious atmosphere that has drawn spiritual seekers for centuries.
Highlights
- Shamanistic heritage sites
- Dramatic rock formations
- Fortress wall walking
- Panoramic city views
Cheonggyecheon Stream Walk
Cheonggyecheon Stream Walk
A beautifully restored 11-kilometer urban stream running through downtown Seoul, transformed from a covered highway into a peaceful linear park. The walking path features public art, historic bridges, and a refreshing escape from the bustling city above.
Highlights
- Urban renewal landmark
- Public art installations
- 24-hour accessibility
- Historic bridge remains
Achasan Mountain
Achasan Mountain
A popular east Seoul hiking destination known for stunning sunrise views over the Han River and the city skyline. The gentle trails wind through the historic Acha Fortress ruins, making it perfect for morning hikers and families seeking accessible mountain experiences.
Highlights
- Famous sunrise spot
- Acha Fortress ruins
- Han River views
- Easy accessibility
Seoul Fortress Wall Trail
Seoul Fortress Wall Trail
Walk along the historic 18.6-kilometer fortress wall that once protected the Joseon Dynasty capital. The trail connects four main gates and offers a unique journey through 600 years of history while providing stunning views from the mountain ridges surrounding Seoul.
Highlights
- UNESCO tentative list
- 600-year history
- Four historic gates
- Connects multiple mountains
Dobongsan Mountain
Dobongsan Mountain
Part of Bukhansan National Park, Dobongsan offers dramatic granite spires and challenging rock climbing alongside hiking trails. The peaks provide some of the most dramatic scenery in the Seoul metropolitan area with rewarding summit views.
Highlights
- Dramatic granite peaks
- Rock climbing routes
- Buddhist temples
- Challenging trails
Gwanaksan Mountain
Gwanaksan Mountain
South Seoul's most prominent peak at 632 meters, known for its rocky terrain and Buddhist heritage. The challenging trails reward hikers with panoramic views stretching from downtown Seoul to the distant mountains of Gyeonggi Province.
Highlights
- Yeonjuam Hermitage
- Rocky terrain
- Sweeping city views
- Popular with students
Ansan Jarak-gil
Ansan Jarak-gil
A wheelchair and stroller-accessible forest trail circling Ansan Mountain, designed for all visitors to enjoy nature. The 7-kilometer path maintains a gentle gradient through lush forests, offering a unique accessible hiking experience in the heart of Seoul.
Highlights
- Wheelchair accessible
- Barrier-free design
- Forest bathing
- Gentle gradients
Bugaksan Mountain
Bugaksan Mountain
Once restricted for security reasons, this mountain behind the Blue House now offers public access to pristine trails and the best-preserved section of the Seoul Fortress Wall. The relatively uncrowded paths provide intimate nature experiences and unique perspectives of northern Seoul.
Highlights
- Recently opened to public
- Best fortress wall section
- Blue House views
- Less crowded trails
Best of 2026
Seoul Dulle-gil Renewed Trails
Seoul Dulle-gil Renewed Trails
The 157-kilometer Seoul Trail circling the city has undergone significant improvements in 2026, with enhanced signage, rest facilities, and digital trail guides. The eight sections now offer seamlessly connected hiking experiences through Seoul's surrounding mountains and forests.
Highlights
- Enhanced digital guides
- Improved facilities
- Eight connected sections
- Circles entire city
Yongmasan Forest Therapy Center
Yongmasan Forest Therapy Center
The newly expanded forest therapy programs at Yongmasan have made this eastern Seoul mountain a 2026 wellness destination. Guided forest bathing sessions, meditation walks, and therapeutic nature programs attract urban dwellers seeking mental health benefits from hiking.
Highlights
- Forest therapy programs
- Guided meditation walks
- Mental wellness focus
- Accessible trails
Hangang River Sunset Trail
Hangang River Sunset Trail
The redesigned riverside walking paths along the Han River have become Seoul's most popular evening hiking destination in 2026. Enhanced lighting, new observation decks, and connected parks make this urban trail perfect for sunset and night walks.
Highlights
- Sunset viewing spots
- Enhanced evening lighting
- Connected park system
- Bike and walk friendly
Spring Hikes
Yeouido Cherry Blossom Trail
Yeouido Cherry Blossom Trail
Seoul's most famous cherry blossom destination transforms Yeouido's streets into a pink wonderland during early April. The walking paths along Yunjung-ro are lined with over 1,800 cherry trees, creating a spectacular tunnel of blossoms during the annual festival.
Highlights
- 1,800+ cherry trees
- Annual spring festival
- Night illuminations
- Peak early April
Bukhansan Azalea Ridge
Bukhansan Azalea Ridge
Spring brings carpets of royal azaleas to Bukhansan's ridges, painting the granite peaks in vibrant pink. The Uiryeong Trail is particularly spectacular during late April and early May when the mountainside blooms in full glory.
Highlights
- Royal azalea blooms
- Granite peak backdrops
- Peak late April-May
- Stunning photography
Summer Hikes
Bukhansan Valley Streams
Bukhansan Valley Streams
Escape Seoul's summer heat in Bukhansan's cool mountain streams. The Jeongneung and Samobawi valleys offer refreshing creek-side trails where hikers can cool their feet in crystal-clear water and enjoy the lush green canopy overhead.
Highlights
- Cool mountain streams
- Shaded forest trails
- Natural air conditioning
- Water play spots
Namsan Nighttime Trail
Namsan Nighttime Trail
Beat the summer heat with an evening hike up Namsan. The illuminated trails and cooler temperatures make night hiking popular, with the reward of Seoul's glittering cityscape from the tower and refreshing mountain breezes.
Highlights
- Cool evening temperatures
- Illuminated trails
- City night views
- Safe night hiking
Fall Hikes
Bukhansan Autumn Foliage
Bukhansan Autumn Foliage
Bukhansan transforms into a spectacular canvas of red, orange, and gold from late October to early November. The contrast of autumn colors against granite peaks creates some of Korea's most stunning mountain scenery, drawing photographers and hikers from across the country.
Highlights
- Peak colors late October
- Granite and foliage contrast
- Sunrise photography
- Most scenic trails
Changdeokgung Secret Garden Walk
Changdeokgung Secret Garden Walk
The UNESCO-listed palace garden opens for extended autumn walks, revealing 300 years of royal landscape design amid peak fall colors. The guided tours through Huwon garden offer intimate encounters with Korea's autumn beauty in an historic setting.
Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage
- 300-year-old gardens
- Guided tours only
- Peak November colors
Winter Hikes
Bukhansan Snowy Peaks
Bukhansan Snowy Peaks
Fresh snowfall transforms Bukhansan into a winter wonderland, with snow-dusted granite peaks and frozen waterfalls creating magical scenery. The crisp winter air offers the clearest views, though proper equipment and caution are essential on icy trails.
Highlights
- Snow-covered peaks
- Clearest visibility
- Frozen waterfalls
- Requires proper gear
Namsan Winter Walking
Namsan Winter Walking
Namsan's well-maintained trails remain accessible year-round, making it Seoul's most popular winter hiking destination. The combination of heated rest stops, cable car access, and stunning winter city views makes it perfect for cold-weather outdoor enthusiasts.
Highlights
- Year-round accessibility
- Heated rest facilities
- Cable car option
- Winter city panoramas
Frequently Asked Questions
Namsan Tower Trail is perfect for beginners, offering well-paved paths, multiple route options, and cable car access if needed. The Cheonggyecheon Stream Walk is ideal for those seeking a flat, easy urban walk. For a gentle mountain experience, Ansan Jarak-gil offers wheelchair-accessible forest trails.
Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) offer the most pleasant hiking weather with stunning cherry blossoms or fall foliage. Summer can be hot and humid with occasional monsoon rains, while winter provides clear views but requires proper cold-weather gear on mountain trails.
Bukhansan is easily accessible by subway. Take Line 3 to Gupabal Station for the Bukhansanseong area or Line 1 to Dobongsan Station for the Dobong area. Multiple bus routes also serve various trailheads. The journey from downtown takes 30-45 minutes.
Yes, Seoul's major hiking trails are very safe and well-maintained with clear signage in Korean and English. Trails are popular year-round with other hikers nearby. Mountain rescue services are available, and emergency phones are placed along major routes. Cell phone coverage is excellent on most trails.
For most trails, bring comfortable hiking shoes, water, snacks, and weather-appropriate clothing. Korean hikers typically dress in full hiking gear, but casual athletic wear is fine for popular trails. In summer, bring rain gear during monsoon season. In winter, crampons are recommended for icy mountain trails.