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Best trails in Bukhansan National Park

Best trails in Bukhansan National Park

4.6(6,593 reviews)

·

South Korea
: 
#1 of 22 national parks

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Bukhansan National Park is one of the more highly trafficked parks in South Korea. It has so many visitors a year due to its close vicinity to urban areas and its accessibility. This park is even listed in the Guinness World Records as the “Most Visited National Park per Unit Area!”

This park features two stunning mountains, Bukhansan in the south and Dobongsan in the north. Visitors can expect to see stunning views while trekking up to the peak of the mountains. Keep an eye out for gorges and peaks with clear flowing streams running through them. It's a sight to see! Bukhansan also has a variety of temples, monk cells, and historical sites such as Bukhansanseong Fortress which contains over 2,000 years of history!

Top trails

  1. #1 - Bukhansan Main Route

    4.8(1093)
    •Hard
    •4.7 mi
    Bukhansan Main Route (북한산 메인 루트) Bukhansan Mountain is popular with tourists and locals for its spectacular views of the rock formations and city. The trailhead is accessible near Bukhansanseong Park Information Center (북한산성 탐방지원센터). At the beginning, you will pass by Daeseomun (대서문), Muryangsa Temple (무량사), and Bukhandong History Center (북한동 역사관). Until here, the paths are paved sidewalks like a perimeter path. Bukhandong History Center is also where you will find the last restroom. The...

  2. #2 - Bukhansan Ui - Insuam - Baegundae Peak

    4.7(480)
    •Hard
    •5.3 mi
    Bukhansan Ui - Insuam - Baegundae Peak (북한산 우이역 - 인수암 - 백운대) This trail can start from Bukhansan Ui Station (북한산우이역) and is one of the most popular trails for hikers due to its easy accessibility. Once you get to Bukhansan National Park Baegundae Visitor Center (백운대 탐방지원센터), the hike starts with stone stairs. This trail has many stairs and a rocky scrambling section near the top. When you get to Insuam Temple (인수암), you can see the majestic view of Insubong. From here to Baegundae Peak...

  3. #3 - Bukhansanseong Fortress Entrance - Bukhansan Summit

    4.7(333)
    •Hard
    •4.7 mi
    This trail is a steep hike with numerous stairs and rocky sections. The journey is a walk through history, as the path follows the magnificent Bukhansanseong Fortress, a massive stone wall built in 1711 to protect the Joseon Dynasty capital. The trail winds through a forest of native Korean pine trees. The final part of the hike is the scramble to the summit. At the peak, you'll be rewarded with the park's other granite peaks and the entire city of Seoul.

  4. #4 - Baegunbongammun

    4.8(209)
    •Hard
    •2.0 mi
    •Est. 2–2.5 hr
    This trail follows a route along the ancient fortress, which was built to protect the city. The hike features a rocky path with many stone staircases, winding through a beautiful forest of pine and maple trees. As you climb, you will walk alongside the historic fortress wall, passing ancient gates. Reaching the peak, hikers will have to scramble up an exposed granite slab, aided by fixed steel cables and railings, to pull themselves up the last section. The 360-degree panoramic view from the...

  5. #5 - Baegundae - Yeongbong

    4.8(295)
    •Hard
    •3.9 mi
    Baegundae - Yeongbong (백운대 - 영봉) This trail starts at the Bukhansanseong Information Center. Up to Borisa Temple is very comfortable, and from there, the trail forks into an easy-rated trail on the right and a difficult-rated trail on the left. The difficult side is mostly a steep large rock staircase. Trekking poles and good footwear are strongly recommended. The last part to get to the peak is rocky but manageable with the metal railing. To get to the trailhead, take line 3 until Gupabal...

  6. #6 - Dobongsan Mountain

    4.7(386)
    •Hard
    •4.2 mi
    The Dobongsan trail is renowned for its steep ascents, historic temples, and dramatic rock formations. It begins along a well-maintained network of rocky paths and numerous stone staircases that wind their way up the mountain. Along the way, hikers pass through beautiful Buddhist temples nestled in the forested slopes. Reaching the peak, the trail involves a steep scramble up a near-vertical granite rock face, which is aided by a series of fixed metal railings and cables. The reward for the...

  7. #7 - Jungseongmun - YongAmmun - Baegundae - Daeseomun

    4.8(169)
    •Hard
    •7.4 mi
    •Est. 5.5–6 hr
    This trail is a beautiful and rugged journey through rocky, granite terrain, passing lush forests of native Korean pine trees. A significant highlight is hiking alongside the Bukhansanseong Fortress, a massive stone wall built in 1711 to protect the Joseon Dynasty capital (now Seoul). The fixed steel cables and railings assist hikers in scrambling to the top. The panoramic view is breathtaking, offering a stunning look over all of Seoul and the surrounding rocky peaks of the national park.

  8. #8 - Doseonsa - Yong-Ammun - Baegundae

    4.9(112)
    •Hard
    •5.8 mi
    Doseonsa - Yong-Ammun - Baegundae (도선사 - 용암문 - 백운대) Bukhansan National Park was designated as the 15th National Park in Korea and is surrounded by urban areas, making it a favorite natural retreat for residents of the Seoul metropolitan area. The course forks at Doseonsa Temple (도선사), but it doesn't matter which direction you go. There are many steps and challenging rocky sections from Baegunbongammun Gate (백운봉암문) to the top of Bukhansan, Baegundae (백운대). So it is strongly recommended to...

  9. #9 - Dobongsan Sinseondae - Madangbawi Rock

    4.8(134)
    •Hard
    •4.2 mi
    Dobongsan Sinseondae - Madangbawi Rock (도봉산 신선대 - 마당바위) The trail starts at the Dobongsan Visitor Center (도봉산 탐방 지원센터) and climbs to the summit of Dobongsan Mountain, Sinseondae (신선대). On the way up this trail, you will encounter two temples, Gwangnyunsa Temple (광륜사) and Cheonchuksa Temple (천축사). The trail is well-marked and has many stone and wooden steps up to Madangbawi Rock (마당바위). After this, there are steep, rocky sections with handrails. The last part of the climb to the summit is...

  10. #10 - Bukhansan Ui Station - Bukhansan Mountain Loop

    4.8(87)
    •Hard
    •6.5 mi
    •Est. 5–5.5 hr
    This trail takes hikers on a tour of the park's eastern ridges, following long, beautiful sections of the Bukhansanseong Fortress. This massive stone wall, which hikers will walk alongside, was built in 1711 during the Joseon Dynasty to protect the capital. Visitors will be hiking through a stunning forest of native Korean pine and maple trees. The final ascent is to Baegundae Peak. Hikers will need to scramble up the steep granite rock face.
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Bukhansan National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Bukhansan National Park is Bukhansan Main Route, which has a 4.8 star rating from 1,093 reviews. This trail is 4.7 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,496 ft.

What is the longest trail in Bukhansan National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bukhansan National Park is Bukhansan Dullegill Loop. This trail is estimated to be 39.7 mi long.

How many trails are in Bukhansan National Park?

There are 145 trails in Bukhansan National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 6,593 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Bukhansan National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Bukhansan National Park has you covered. Bukhansan Dullegill Loop boasts the most elevation gain with 8,756 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Bukhansan - Dobongsan - Sapaesan, which will get you 6,525 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Bukhansan National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 4 camping trails in Bukhansan National Park and the most popular is Bukhansan Dulle-gil Trail Section: 8 to 15 with an average 5.0 star rating from 1 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Bukhansan National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 6 running trails in Bukhansan National Park and the most popular is Bukhansan Dulle-gil: Section 4 - Solsaem-gil with an average 4.6 star rating from 4 community reviews.

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Bukhansan National Park?

Yes, there are 114 trails with scenic mountain peak views in Bukhansan National Park, including Bukhansan Main Route, Bukhansan Ui - Insuam - Baegundae Peak, Bukhansanseong Fortress Entrance - Bukhansan Summit, Baegunbongammun, and Baegundae - Yeongbong.

Are there any trails with historical monuments in Bukhansan National Park?

Are there any trails with castles in Bukhansan National Park?

Are there any trails with archaeological sites in Bukhansan National Park?

Are there any trails with springs in Bukhansan National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Bukhansan National Park?

Are there any trails with cliffs in Bukhansan National Park?

Are there any trails with caves in Bukhansan National Park?

Yes, there are 4 trails with caves in Bukhansan National Park, including Sapaesan - Dobongsan, Dobongsan Sinseondae - Sapaesan Summit, Jik-dong Park - Sapaesan Summit, and Angol - Sapaesan Loop.

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