Best hikes in South Korea: 8 breathtaking hiking trails

Best hikes in South Korea: 8 breathtaking hiking trails

The best hikes in South Korea offer a portrait of idyllic landscapes and 5,000 years of distinctive culture and history

The mountain culture runs deeply through the history of South Korea. Thousands of years before the modern religion found its way to the peninsula, Korean mountain spirits, known as Sansin. Today a large part of the population remains strongly connected to the mountains, albeit in other ways.

South Koreans hike in droves. The number of members of the hiking clubs has grown to tens of thousands. All year round in Gore-Tex, the weekend wars dressed in droves flock into the hills to escape the narrow of their extensive cities.

And why not? Mountains are available everywhere in South Korea and most can be climbed in one day. In fact, around 70 % of the South Korean country are considered mountainous. In a country that is known as the "Land of Morning Still", it is hardly surprising that people find their peace outdoors. I personally think you are on something.

South Korea is a relatively small country, but it manages to house 22 national parks, 17 of which are considered mountainous. San, which means in Korean Berg, appears in each of these 17 parknamen. In addition, Korea's excellent traffic infrastructure makes these mountains and its impressive viewpoints easily accessible from countless cities.

In fact, South Korea remains a relatively unexplored part of East Asia, which makes it even more tempting. In the following we share some of the best hikes in South Korea that show the most impressive landscapes in the country.

Best hikes in South Korea

We selected the best hikes in South Korea for a number of skills. These hiking trails offer an insight into what Korea hikers have to offer. With a wealth of well -groomed hiking trails that combine untouched landscapes with striking temples, there is still a lot more to discover.

1. Hallasan summit

route: 7.4-19.2 km duration: 2-10 hourly difficulty: Middle heavy

alt = “Hallasan is one of the best hikes in South Korea”> Ju999/Shutterstock Hallasan is one of the best hikes in South Korea

Why not start at the top? The highest mountain in South Korea is located on the country's largest island. The island of Jeju, known as a Jejudo, has made comparisons with Hawaii due to its pretty beaches, the green landscape and the popularity among Korean wedding travelers. With a number of beach hotels it is the most important holiday destination in the country.

Hallasan is located in the densely forested national park and is an active volcano (although it has not broken out for over 1,000 years). With 1,947 m (6,388 feet), the summit of the mountain dominates the horizon of the island. There are five hiking trails with a length of 3.7 km to 9.6 km in one direction that leads to the summit.

The mountain can be climbed all year round, but April and May, when its slopes are littered with flowering Azalenes, are particularly attractive.

2. Jirisan Ridge Trek

Distance: 45 km duration: 3 nights/4 dignity of daily speed: heavy

alt = “A hiker rests in the Jirisan National Park”> In stock for you/Shutterstock A hiker takes a break in the Jirisan National Park

A network of hiking trails runs through Jirisan, South Korea's first and largest national park. There are countless day hikes and trekking opportunities, but the main route of the park is the four -day route from shelter to shelter, which runs from east to west from Daewonsa to Hwaeomsa.

The highlight of the hike is the Jirisan Ridge, which crosses no less than 16 peaks over 1,500 m (4,921 ft). This massively houses the Cheonwangbong Peak, the highest point of the South Korean mainland with 1,915 m (6.283 ft).

Most hikers plan their hikes so that they collapse on the Cheonwangbong Peak on the first morning (second day) of the hike.

3. Bukhansanseong-Weg

distance: 8.2 km duration: 3-4 hourly difficulty: light

Alt = “Baegundae summit in the Bukhansan National Park”> Daengpanya Atakorn/Shutterstock Baegundae summit in the Bukhansan National Park

The erilation of the South Korean capital Seoul includes the Bukhansan National Park with its granite peaks, remote temples and mountain peaks. The park, which is known as the "Lung of Seoul", attracts over five million visitors every year due to its proximity to Korea's most populous region. So don't expect to have the hiking trails for yourself.

The most popular route is the climbing of the park's highest summit, Baegundae with 836 m (2,742 ft), over the Bukhansanseong Trail. The bird's eye view from the top is spectacular.

Another good option is the 18.6 km long Seoul City Wall Circuit, which follows Seoul's old city wall and includes the four smaller summit Bukaksan (342 m), Naksan (125 m), Namsan (262 m) and Inwangsan (338 m).

4. Daecheongbong summit, Seoraksan

distance: 13.8-20.6 km duration: 4-6 hourly difficulty: Middle heavy

Alt = “A breathtaking sunset over a lake in Seoraksan”> Natthawut Utsawachaot/Shutterstock Seoraksan is hiking utopia

The Seoraksan National Park and the Taebaek mountain chain are the most famous landscape of the Korean Peninsula. Admired for its unique rock formations, the rich wildlife, hot sources, bubbling waterfalls, dense forests and old Buddhist temples, Seoraksan is a hiking utopia.

The focus is on South Korea's third highest mountain, Seoraksan (Snowy Peaks Mountain) with its 1,708 m (5,604 ft) high Daecheongbong Peak. Watching the sunrise from the Daecheongbong Peak is something of a transitional rite and the journey alone among Koreans.

The summit can be achieved by point-to-point, circular or return hikes.

5. Songnisan

distance: 14-20kmur: 3-4 hourly difficulty: light

alt = “Songnisan is one of the best hikes in South Korea”> Sarasap Boonrak/Shutterstock Songnisan means "Away from the ordinary Weltberg"

The Songnisan National Park, another excellent hiking destination, receives significantly fewer visitors than many of his colleagues, but offers a similarly spectacular landscape. Songnisan means "apart from the ordinary world mountain", which summarizes the fascinating landscape.

The most popular way - and probably the most rewarding - is the relatively quiet route to the 1,058 m (3,472 ft) high summit of the Munjangdae, which was once known as "summit" covered by clouds. Expect swirling fog on the summit in winter, while spring brings azaleas and cherry blossoms.

Depending on the starting point, there are several routes to the summit.

6. Naejangsan ridge hike

distance: 11km duration: 4-5 hourly difficulty: Medium-heavy

alt = “Naejangsan in autumn is one of the best hikes in South Korea Naejangsan”> Travel Photos/Shutterstock Naejangsan in autumn is breathtaking

hikers and photographers love the Naejangsan National Park because of its breathtaking autumn vegetation. The park will probably be full in October if its leaves are tinberrot, but it shouldn't stop it from doing one of the best hikes in South Korea.

There are numerous short and pleasant hikes, but it is the demanding six-summit Naejangsan comb route that shows the landscape from its most spectacular side. The route follows the tip of the massif, which is shaped like a natural amphitheater, up to the Seoraebong Peak (624 m/2.040 ft) with its panoramic view of the mountains.

7. Geumjeongsan, Busan

distance: 8km duration: 2-3 hours: light

alt = “The walls of the fortress Geumjeong”> Terimma/Shutterstock The walls of the Geumjeong

Geumjeongsan is Busan's most popular hiking destination and for good reason. The 802 m high Godangbong Peak is the highest point in the mountain and offers an excellent view of the second largest city in South Korea. Hikers can choose from seven routes to the summit.

There are several other striking peaks, different temples and the impressive Geumjeong fortress. Once the largest fortress in Koreas, her stone walls stretched 17 km around the mountain tip. Only four goals and about four kilometers of wall have been preserved, but there is still an impressive sight.

Other options in Busan are Jangsan, Seunghaksan and the Taejongdae nature park on Yeongdo. A little less exhausting is the 4.7 km long Igidae Coastal Walk, which offers a wide view of the Skyline from Haeundae Beach from the other side of the bay, without ever climbing more than a few meters above sea level.

8. Peace path, DMZ

Distance: 2.7-7.9 km duration: 2-3 hours: light

alt = “hiker on a sidewalk in the DMZ”> Thomas Maresca/Upi hikers and their companions on a sidewalk in the DMZ

In 2019, South Korea opened a short network along one of the most fortified borders in the world. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) is the 4 km wide and 240 km long buffer zone, which has separated North and South Korea since the conflict of 1953, which tore the peninsula apart.

In the six decades since the ceasefire, the area was isolated from human interventions. Despite the enormous military presence, the area has developed into an unexpected refuge for endangered species of migratory birds and wild mammals such as deer and mountain goats. The routes lead over a coastal path that runs along unused railway tracks that are covered with observation items.

The Peace Trail consists of two routes and is part of the educational institutions approved by the United Nations command, which have made the DMZ an important tourist attraction. Hikers are escorted by armed guards.

Disclosure: This article was created in collaboration with the Korean Tourism organization.

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cover picture: Travel Take Photos/Shutterstock

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