South Korea’s capital may be a modern metropolis, but nature lovers’ shouldn’t miss out on some of the best and most beautiful hiking in Seoul!
As a nation with a landmass made up of 70% mountains, it’s no surprise that hiking is considered a national pastime, one that I wholeheartedly adopted during my two years teaching English in Korea.
And this love of hiking translates to Seoul. This buzzing city is built amongst a staggering 37 mountains, and many attempt to cross all 37 off in an ultimate Seoul hiking bucket list challenge! Although I never had the chance to add such an epic feat to my list of accomplishments, I did manage to see some of the very best trails in and around the city.
No matter if you’re just visiting Seoul and looking for an outdoor activity, or fellow English teachers/expats seeking out pretty nature, this list shares some of Seoul’s best hiking trails.
Read more: Ultimate Guide to the Best Hiking in South Korea
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When is the Best Time to Go Hiking in Seoul?
Korea experiences all four seasons and can see extreme heat and humidity in the summer and frigid temps and snow in the winter. But so long as you’re well equipped for the weather, I’ve enjoyed hiking any time of year in Korea.
However, if I were to choose, the best time to hike in Korea is on low-temperature days in the summer when the trees are green and lush.
The fall is also an excellent time to hit the mountains when the weather is perfectly cool and leaves change to fiery shades of yellow, orange and red.
Seoul Hiking Tips
Before you go climbing any mountains, I have some insider tips for hiking in Korea so you can stay safe, have fun, and hike the way locals do!
- Be sure to pack a lot of water and snacks on especially hot days, humidity in Korea can be no joke.
- Grab some crampons for your hiking boots when hiking in the winter. The mountains can be extra snowy and icy.
- Check the air pollution levels before you go, some days see very bad air quality which isn’t great for hiking.
- Packing mountain snacks and goodies is a common practice, and you may run into friendly Koreans who want to chat and share their bounty with you. Bring extra snacks in case!
- Pack a bottle of soju to cheers at the top and have fun!
Read more: A Guide to Hiking for Beginners on a Budget
11 Best Hiking Trails in Seoul, South Korea
Without further ado, here are some of the coolest Seoul hikes. So grab your soju, grab your boots, and lets take a hike!
1. Inwangsan
Why hike here: Ingwangsan is the famous Seoul City Wall hike that offers unbeatable skyline views.
Inwangsan is a relatively easy hike that anyone can do who is comfortable/capable of tackling stairs—but word or warning, it’s a lot of stairs. This out-and-back trail is just over a mile, and most can reach the top in under 40 minutes.
The trail climbs 1109 feet (338 meters) following the ancient city walls. Once at the top, you’ll love the fantastic view of the city and the Seoul N Tower. Come on a sunny day with low pollution to get the best views and prepare to stay to take pictures and enjoy the mountain top.
2. Namsan
Why hike here: Namsam is a mountain in the heart of the city where the iconic N Seoul Tower stands.
I couldn’t leave one of Seoul’s main tourist attractions off of the list! This Namsan hike begins in the city’s hopping Itaewon district. When all is said and done, the trail totals about 4.5 miles and climbs 859 feet (262 meters) to the tower. There’s also a cable car for those unable or uninterested in walking up hill.
Once at the top, travel even higher with an elevator ride to the top of the Seoul N Tower. You have to pay to go in, but it’s one of the best places for a bird’s eye view of Seoul, especially at night.
3. Bukhansan National Park
Why hike here: Bukhansan is a challenging hike with rock scrambles that can be easily reached via the metro from Seoul.
Now that we’ve got those mini mountains out of the way, no hiking trip to Seoul is complete without a visit to Bukhansan National Park. There are a few different trails to choose from in the park, but the best is the Bukhansan Main Route to the peak.
This particular hike is challenging and features steep climbs and a few rock scrambling segments that may scare those afraid of heights. People come with snacks and beverages to enjoy on the large flat rock top at the peak and the views are pretty great.
This hike is about 7 km / 4.5 miles and will take you around 4ish hours, fitness ability and crowds depending.
4. Seoraksan National Park
Why hike here: Seoraksan is Korea’s most beautiful national park and is an excellent day trip destination for visitors in Seoul itching to hike.
Seoraksan is hands down my favorite national park in Korea and has my all time favorite hiking trails in Korea. The views of Ulsanbawi (iconic rock face), Biseondae (Monk cave chiseled out of the cliff face), and turquoise waters of Cheonbuldong Valley are stunning.
While Seoraksan is actually a couple of hours to the east of Seoul, it’s definitely worth the trek to get to. You won’t be disappointed, I promise. Read how to get to Seoraksan from Seoul here. You’ll need to work the bus system and probably make a stop in Sokcho – the coastal town closest to the park.
5. Bugaksan
Why hike here: Bugaksan features a portion of Seoul’s ancient city walls and views of the Blue House.
Bugaksan features a series of trails that are a part of the ancient city walls circuit. Starting at Changuimun Gate and ending at Hyehwamun Gate, the trail was previously an active military zone because it travels behind the famous Blue House (where the president once lived). But as of 2022, the Blue House was actually turned into a public park and no longer requires passport or ID checks. The popular part of the trail is only about a mile long, but it connects with Inwangsan if you’d like to make it a mega long trek and continue following the city walls.
6. Namhansanseong Fortress
Why hike here: Namhansanseong Fortress is a historic landmark on the outskirts of Seoul with beautiful hiking trails around leading to it and around it.
Namhansan is a mountain that lies to the southeast of Seoul and is home to the grand fortress Namhansanseong (it’s a mouthful). The area has fabulous hiking trails that lead to the grounds of this old fortress. The popular most popular trail totals over 6 miles and makes for a lovely day hike from Seoul.
From the fortress/mountain, you can peep awesome views of the Lotte Tower and city of Seoul. It’s a bit of a trek to get to from the city, but if you have the time and energy, it’s definitely worth visiting! For more detailed information on how to get there, check out Kids Fun In Seoul’s post.
7. Anyang Art Park
Why hike here: Anyang Art Park offers easy hiking near Seoul through a wooded area with art sculptures.
Anyang Art Park isn’t a mountain, but rather a large wooded area filled with art installations, cafes, and more. It’s a great easy hike for families and there’s a fun DIY stamp walking tour to follow—you can really spend a lot of time wandering this awesome park. It makes for a good day trip from Seoul, and is located about an hour outside of the city.
After you’ve had your fill of the Anyang Art Park, head on over to Samseongsan Mountains for more traditional hiking near Seoul.
8. Gwanaksan Peak
Why hike here: Gwanaksan is home to a four miles rail leading to the cliffside Yeonjudae Temple and mountain ridge views.
At 2073 feet (632 meters) tall, Gwanaksan Mountain is a exciting hike south of Seoul. The trail is best known for the eye-catching Yeonjudae Temple that sits at the edge of the peak. There’s also a nice photo spot on the trail’s staircase that overlooks the ridge as well as a lookout point with a Korean flag to show off your hike in style.
It’s a bit of journey via public transportation to get to the trailhead but this guide shares the best options for getting to Gwanaksan from Seoul. And it’s a hike worth traveling for! From Myeongdong, it’s a 1.5 hour journey on public transportation.
9. Daemosan
Why hike here: Daemosan is a small and lesser known mountain that offers a unique vantage of Seoul.
Another short hike that overlooks the Gangnam district, Daemosan is a great place to escape the city and get some fresh air amongst the trees. At the top of the wood staircase trail you can catch views of Namsan Tower, Lotte Tower and the sprawling city below.
This hike is about 4 miles long and takes most about 3 hours to complete—a lovely Seoul hike that can be completed in a morning!
10. Umyeonsan
Why hike here: An easy hike within the city bounds about 3 miles in total (1.5 hours to complete).
A two-three hour hike that ends at the Seoul Art Center, Umyeonsan is a lesser known hike in Seoul perfect for those seeking to avoid crowds. The trailhead is in the Seocho-gu district of Seoul, which is about a 40 minute ride on the metro. As you hike, you’ll find workout equipment you can use as well as this important landmark. The Daeseongsa Temple is also on Umyeon Mountain.
11. Yongmasan and Achasan
Why hike here: A moderate trail between two peaks totaling about 3.75 miles with epic Seoul views.
Another hidden hike that takes about 2 hours to complete, Yongmasan is a steep and rocky hike for those looking to get their heart pumping. There are various trails that line the mountain, so be sure to follow signs carefully. The mountain is known to pop with purple blooms in spring.
At the base of Yongma Mountain is the Insta famous abandoned amusement park that many love to visit for a quirky photoshoot. Entry is 10,000 won.