Bukhansan [북한산] National Park is the most visited national park in South Korea and a popular Seoul destination for both tourists and locals alike. There are a variety of routes in Bukhansan that interconnect to form a spider web like design across the park. With so many paths to choose from, it can be difficult to choose the ideal one, particularly if you only have one day to explore this must-see national park. To help you navigate this pandemonium, I’ve created this beginners guide.
I recommend this course because it is (1) accessible by public transportation; (2) doesn’t require complicated directions; (3) leads directly to the peak; and (4) is the least technical and difficult trail to the peak, making it suitable for families and adults who don’t hike often.
What to Expect from this Bukhansan Hike
- Medium Difficulty
- Trail Length: 4.4km/2.75 miles
- Elevation Gain: about 590m/1,940ft
- Hiking Course: There and back, from Bukhansan National Park Baekundae Visiting Information Center [백운대탐방지원센터], to the main peak, Baek-un-dae [백운대]
- [Naver Map] Baekundae Visiting Information Center/백운대탐방지원센터: 서울 강북구 우이동 https://naver.me/GudLY3HT
- Average Hiking Time: 3-4 hours + waiting time on the peak for a picture with the peak stone*
- *not an issue on a weekday, but a summer/fall weekend may have waits as long as 30 minutes. The same is true for the last 300 meters to the peak, as it is often backed up here due to the narrow and steep nature of the course.
- Allowed Starting Time in Winter (Dec-Feb): 4am – 4pm**
- Allowed Starting Time for March to November: 4am – 5pm**
- **Your hike can end after 4/5pm, but there is an entrance restriction for before 4am and after 5pm. Night hiking is prohibited in South Korea’s national parks. Public transportation starts in Seoul at around 5:30am~5:45am, so sunrise hikes in Bukhansan are only possible by taxi or a personal vehicle.
- Bathrooms: Available and open along the trail from March – November
- Winter Gear: No special gear is needed generally for hiking Bukhansan. But crampons/shoe spikes are NECESSARY for winter hikes (about Dec-Feb). This is because the trail becomes extremely slippery in the winter, to the point of being dangerous. Crampons can be purchased for 20,000원 / $15 in a number of hiking stores near the start of the trail.
Public Transportation: Subway, Bus and Taxi
1. Taxi
The easiest way to get to the trail head is to take a taxi to Baekundae Visiting Information Center/백운대탐방지원센터: 서울 강북구 우이동 https://naver.me/GudLY3HT. This can be done by flagging down a taxi, or by using the app “Kakao Taxi”- it requires you make a free kaako account, and lets you pay to the driver. The reason this is the easiest method is between the entrance of the hike and the subway is about 2km of walking. So, the simplest and stress-free way to get here is to just take a taxi.
2. Subway
The subway station closest to the hiking trail is the 북한산우이역/ Bukhasan-ui Station on the light green line known as 우이신실/Uisinsil line.
Subway Address: [Naver Map] Bukhansan Ui 서울 강북구 삼양로 676 https://naver.me/56a2yKaz
Arriving at the station, you go out through exit 2. Then, it’s a 2km walk which takes about 30 minutes. The walking path along the road is actually quite nice, and very safe. You will walk along a river, and pass by many restaurants, public bathrooms and hiking supply/clothing stores. As I discussed in my guide to hiking supply/clothing shopping, its these areas close to Bukhansan trails that are some of the best places to do outdoor supply shopping in Seoul. You could outfit yourself for cheap, or just pick up a coffee and bread before being on your way.
The other option is to take a short taxi ride from the subway station to the entrance. In fact, during the warm weather month weekends there are many taxis that charge set rates (this is technically illegal but is done here) that ferry people up and down this 2km stretch.
3. Driving
The parking area for this starting point is not massive by you can park at the entrance – personally I would say its only advisable for an afternoon or early morning start.
Parking Location: Baekundae Visiting Information Center/백운대탐방지원센터: 서울특별시 강북구 삼양로 73길 462 https://naver.me/GudLY3HT.
Bukhansan: A Fantastic Hike for All Seasons
The trail entrance is at the Baekundae Visiting Information Center. Here you can read the trail maps, use the bathroom, get your stamp for the national park passport stamp tour and take photos with the big “Bukhansan National Park” sign.
The course covers quite a bit of elevations gain (590m) over a fairly short distance (2.2km), so there are very few flat areas. The majority of the course is like the third below image – steep and a collection of rock like steps.
Although it’s normal to see people in converse or equally as inappropriate shoes hiking this trail, I would recommend at least outdoor sneakers, if not hiking shoes. Overall, the rocks have good traction – especially near the peak – but sections of the course stay damp and thus slippery longer because the trail runs through a shaded valley with a stream.
At the 700-meter mark, you come to the crest of a hill. This point is called ‘하루재’ on the map and it is the first 3-way intersection. You will be going straight at this intersection. This is your first proper rest area, and also the best mid-mountain view of the peak.
The first image shows the longest stretch of flat trail, and the third image is of the course’s longest staircase. There are also a couple of nice cultural locations to observe along the trail, such as the small temple known as Insuam [인수암].
Continuing upward, it’s another 1km of fairly steep terrain that is a mix of stairs and rocky steps. With only 500 meters left until to the peak you arrive at the Baekundae Shelter. This small building has outdoor seating with benches and bathrooms (which are closed in the winter). It’s the best place to eat along the hike but can get pretty busy for these are the only benches along this course.
It’s another 200 meters uphill until you reach the wall and the turn off to the peak. There is a ‘doorway’ opening in the wall where people from both sides of the mountain meet to do the peak turn off. Turning to your right, you walk along the wall leading up to the peak.
Good shoes are required for the next 300-meter section of the course. You will be stepping up stairs that have been carved into the rock, climbing over rocks, and using metal railings to pull yourself up. Although the final stretch of the route is challenging, it’s rather rewarding, so just take it slow! It is along this stretch that a major back up can occur – think those photos of the long lines of people waiting to go up Everest for inspiration.
This will be a challenging portion of the path for anybody who are afraid of heights. But that’s also the reason it’s a must-visit spot in Seoul!
You truly have to see this section of hike for yourself; I don’t think pictures do it justice!
This isn’t a hike that you want to undertake if you have appointments set for afterwards. This is because you can never predict how busy this section will be and therefore how long it will take you to get through it. 300 meters (600meter round trip) might sound like a short distance but in backed up traffic it can take longer than you might expect.
Ways to beat this hiking traffic jam, include (1) starting the hike around 8am – most hikers start between 9am -11am or after lunch, so you can avoid the busiest times by going earlier in the morning; or (2) hike on a weekday or non-holiday. Although this is a famous tourist spot, the locals love hiking Bukhansan as well. With a population of 10 million people, Seoul has more than enough people ready and eager to hike this peak to create a traffic jam every weekend!
The peak area is pretty massive – you are likely to encounter anywhere from dozens to a hundred people resting, eating or just enjoying the views in this area. The peak stone is located slightly higher and is clearly marked by the Korean flag. Nearly every mountain in South Korea has a peak stone, and it’s normal for everyone to want to get a photo with it to show as your proof of conquest. As you can imagine this can also be another long line to wait in, but for me it’s always worth getting your picture here.
From here, just head back the way you came. Even with the uneven terrain, it much quicker on the descent then the ascent.
You have the option to turn it into a loop trail by walking though the hole in the wall, then turning left. This course is considered advanced (red-purple color) which is a step up above the orange medium difficulty. The loop trail is slightly longer than the there-and-back, and requires some road walking between Dosunsa Temple and the starting point, but does offer more mountainous views of the interior of the park.
Some photos from the back end of the loop (the dark red section) are below. I really enjoy this course, but it is significantly more difficult that the there-and-back course, I detailed above. So, for people who truly enjoying hiking or want to make a day of it, I would consider doing this loop.
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
