Whether you are a Seoul resident or a tourist with a fair bit of time, the Seoul Dulle-gil [‘Dull’-‘ray’-‘gill’] course has a lot of offer. Totaling 157km, split across 8 segments with 28 stamps, the Seoul Dulle-gil will bring you through a wide variety of neighborhoods and parks in Seoul. It doesn’t matter in what order you do the course, nor is there a time limit. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful and interesting sites along the Seoul Dulle-gil.
The Tour
After finishing this course in 2023, I left with the feeling that I should have taken on this trail many years earlier. I’m a bit of a Seoul ‘hater’, a country person trapped in a big city. This trail helped me to redefine my feelings about Seoul. Through walking this course, I gained a wealth of knowledge about the green areas in Seoul and now have a stronger sense of connection to the city. It’s not merely another hiking tour.
The course is a giant loop, with its upper most limit touching Bukhansan National Park, and its lower bounds edging along Mt. Gwanksan. The course starts in north Seoul, at Dobongsan Station (도봉산역), running clockwise around the outer edge of Seoul’s metropolitan area. The 8 segments are broken down into parts ranging from 12.6km to 34.5km. But don’t feel the need to have to do the whole segment at once – as the longer trails have convenient bail out points at subway stations! Also, since it is a stamp tour, feel free to do the trails in whatever order you want!
The start/end points of each of the segments are located next to subway stations – making for easy navigation.
The trail crosses the Han River twice – with courses that are a mix of small neighborhoods, wooded parks and stream side paths. This isn’t a course that will take you to the peak of any of the major mountains in Seoul, but you will conquer some smaller peaks.
The stamp boxes have an iconic look – their bright red color are an exciting sight after a couple kilometers of trail. The stamps and boxes are well maintained so you are not likely to run into a problem with getting your stamp.
The stamp boxes are arranged to have one stamp in the beginning, one at roughly a halfway point and a third at the end. The following course will have a stamp box located near to the ending of the previous course – so its on good faith that you don’t just grab both of them and skip kilometers of distance.
While the boxes are quite obvious, if you are unsure about its exact location you can check the free detailed map you can pick up with the stamp booklet. These booklets are all in Korean, but are quite simple, making it easy to follow even with minimum Korean ability.
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The Stamp Book
Although there are numerous Seoul Dulle-gil Trail Offices, there is only two locations along the 157km course that you are able to acquire the book.
- Seoul Dulle-gil Trail Information Center: Yangjae
- 서울 서초구 매헌로 99 https://naver.me/GRmOh3vN
- The Yangjae location is in Maeheon Citizen’s Forest in the middle of course 4 of the Seoul Dulle-gil. It can be reached by going out of exit 5 of the Yangjae Citizen Forest Station on the dark red line (Sinbudang line).
- Seoul Dulle-gil Trail Information Center: Changpowon
- 서울 도봉구 마들로 916 방문자센터 https://naver.me/xFopYWaw
- The Changpowon location is positioned outside of Dobong Station (도봉역) on the light blue line (line 4) at the Seoul Dulle-gil Information Center (서울 둘레길안내센터). The first stamp box of course 1 is located here as well! It’s a great stop to grab and go!
Unlike the Korean National Park Stamp Tour passport, the stamp booklet is available for pick up 24-7 as its located outside, accessible for you to grab without having to deal with anyone.
They ask that you only take one stamp book and one guide per person.
Included in the fold-out guide is also a basic map for another Seoul-based stamp tour competition, the Hansung Wall Fortress. But the sample paper for that course has to be collected separately from a different location.
Getting your Prize!
Once you have complete all 28 stamps from the eight courses of Seoul Dulle-gil, you can receive a certificate and a badge as a reward.
- Visit the Seoul Dulle-gil Information Center. Submit a stamp book & bring your ID
- Prepare the certificate application at the office
- Complete the certificate questionnaire
Additionally;
- You can apply for the certificate on behalf of others. If you do so, you must prepare that person’s personal information (name, date of birth, contact information, address, and e-mail).
- The Seoul Dulle-gil Information Centers where you can apply are the same as the ones where you can collect the booklets: Changpowon & Yangjae
- As you have to apply in person and talk with another person, please keep in ind working hours and holidays. Changpowon is closed every Monday and on legal holidays, and Yangjae is closed every Sunday and Monday and on legal holidays. Both places can issue completion certificates from 9:00 to 18:00, but their break time for lunch is 11:30 to 13:00.
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
