The Korean National Park Service (KNPS) issues trail closures each year in many of their national parks. These closures are due to the increased risk of forest fires in the dry months. Typically these fire closures come in two batches: fall and winter and / or spring. The fall closures run from mid-November to mid-December. The winter/spring closures run anywhere from February to May. Unfortunately, that means for a significant portion of the year some of South Korea’s best trails are closed.
This guide seeks to detail the expected closures of Spring 2025.
Every year, the fire risk for each park is accessed individually, so dates and trails are subject to change between years and differ between parks. KNPS doesn’t give much warning about closures – meaning that will not post months ahead of time about the specific closure dates and instead wait until the closures are upon us to set a start date. However, they do provide end dates when the closure goes into effect and KNPS are fairly consistent year to year about these closure dates for each of the parks.
This guide seeks to achieve two things (1) teach you how to check these closure dates yourself and to (2) provide information on the typical closure periods, so you can reasonably plan your spring 2025 hiking trips.
Winter Snow Fall: KNPS also has frequent closures during the winter months due to snowfall which remains an issue in some parks in April. I have written a separate guide on how to check for weather closures, which are critical to check prior to departing for your hike.
Examples from 2024:
- In January 2024, Seoraksan, Soknisan, and Dyeokgusan National Parks all had 1+ week long full park closures due to snow fall during the non-fire closure times. So equally as important as knowing these fire closure dates, is knowing how to check for weather/condition based closures.
- As of April 1st, 2024 snow still remained a serious issue in Seoraksan, Dyeokgusan and other high elevation national parks, and some trails were closed.
- In winter of 2024, an avalanche destroyed a section of Seoraksan National Park’s trail, which completely closed the peak
National Park Trail Closure Dates
There are 17 of the total 23 parks that undergo Spring trail closures. The following list is ordered based closure date and then ABC order.
I would encourage you to double check closures in case of freak events like Seoraksan’s avalanche, unexpected weather or other unforeseen events. My guide makes it easy with links that directly bring you to the closure page of each park / section of each park.
February 15th to April 30th
- Byeonsanbando [변산반도]
- Jirisan [지리산]
- Jirisan undergoes both fall and winter closures of its ridge trail. Both major peaks (Nogodan Peak and Cheongwangbong Peak) have hiking trails open all year long except when snow conditions become too extreme.
- Juwangsan [주왕산]
- Naegangsan [내장산]
- Mudeungsan [무등산]
- Palgongsan [팔공산]
- Wolchulsan [월출산]
March 2nd to April 30th
- Chiaksan [치악산]
- Dyeokgusan [덕유산]
- Dyeokgyusan undergoes both fall and spring closures on its main peak trails. But, the peak is still accessible from the Muju Resort Gondola. However, in the winter in order to ride the Gondola, you are required to book ahead of time on the Muju resort website as the demand is so strong it books out in advance. This park also routinely experiences snow induced winter closures which can persist into the spring time, even into April).
- Gyeryongsan [계룡산]
- Sobaeksan [소백산]
- Soknisan [속리산]
- Woraksan [월악산]
March 2nd to May 15th
- Bukhansan [북한산]
- Odaesan [오대산]
- Seoraksan [설악산]
- Seoraksan undergoes winter closures of its main peak and the dinosaur ridge. However, Ulsanbawi trail, the river trail until Biseondae Rock and the Towangseong waterfall trails do not undergo fire closures but do become closed routinely due to snowy conditions.
- Taebaeksan [태백산]
- The main peak is open but some sections of the less frequently hiked parts of the park (Beakdudaegan sections) are closed during the spring.
The following parks do not typically have spring fire closures
- Dadohaehaesang [다도해해상]
- Gayasan [가야산]
- Gyeongju [경주]
- Haeryohaesang [한려해상]
- Hallasan [한라산]
- Taeanhaean [태안해안]
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
