Bukhansan National Park (북한산국립공원) is the peninsula’s most popular park for a reason. Granite rocks tower dramatically over the city: a study in contrasts. Tidy Buddhist temples lie tucked away in the folded landscape. The remains of an ancient fortress on top of the mountain recalls Korea’s past. Shady forest trails lead up to windswept platforms on rocky cliffs. Best of all, this park’s proximity to Seoul makes it easy to get out on a quick getaway!
There’s a lot to love about this park: stunning scenery that changes from season to season and the wealth of trails, to name just a few features.
Want vert? Human mountain goats (and other hikers) will enjoy climbing to Baegundae – Bukhansan’s highest peak.
For a longer run or trek, take on the Bukhansan Dullegil: an undulating trail that winds all the way around the park in the foothills.
Length and vert? Try the Seoul100k race in the fall, in which Bukhansan trails feature prominently!
If you’re short on time, no worries, head to Jokduribong, a minor but prominent peak!
If you’d like to get off the beaten trail or explore more of this park, set your sights on Dobongsan. Dobongsan is the highest peak in the park’s northern section and features tough climbs to outstanding views!
Choose your adventure below, or read on to learn how best to to enjoy Bukhansan National Park!
Beautiful Bukhansan adventures
Tips and tricks for enjoying Bukhansan National Park
When to go
You can hike in Bukhansan National Park in any season. There are two annual closure periods that affects many of Korea’s big mountains. For Bukhansan, the fall closure is usually early November to mid-December. This is followed by a spring closure, typically from early March to mid-May. Closures protect the ecosystem of the park during sensitive times and hikers from possibly dangerous conditions. But the closures typically only affect peaks and ridges: the dullegil and valley trails are usually still accessible. Check the official Korea National Park Service website for more information on annual closures, and look out for trails marked in red on Naver Maps before you go.
There are restrictions on hiking the park at night, but hikers are permitted into the park two hours before dawn. I would highly recommend an early start here! You can enjoy the sunrise and not have to elbow your way through the crowds for a photograph of it! Alternatively, if you’re confident about your hiking speed – head out in the late afternoon (with a headlamp, just in case). You’ll be heading up while everyone else is coming down: perfect for a a peaceful peak experience!
The popularity of this park is well-publicized, but don’t let that put you off going, even if you must go during peak times (weekends and holidays, midday). Bukhansan’s beauty is renowned, and its fame well-deserved. Explore away!
Oh, and if you want to play hard on Bukhansan? Consider running the Seoul100k! The first part of the race is on trails in the national park!
Where to stay
There are no shelters within the park, and camping is prohibited. So enjoy this park on a day trip – or a series of them!
If you’re coming from out of town, this is a great opportunity to enjoy Seoul, as well! But for the best experience in the park – stay nearby! There are plenty of motels in the area near Bulgwang Station. From there, you can take the first bus (or a taxi) to the park in the early hours of the morning and have a trail to yourself. Or, start right from the station and head up Jokduribong for a quick summit or as a unique starting point for a much longer hike!
Hiking & Running
Hiking and running options are covered in detail in the articles above, so what follows are just some general recommendations.
I would highly recommend a visit to Baegundae on one of your Bukhansan outings. The shortest way to Baegundae is about 4 kilometers up from the main entrance to the park on the west side. This trailhead is a short bus or taxi ride away from Gupabal Station on the orange line (line #3). Baegundae is the highest peak in the park and is on both 100 summits challenges: find it on Black Yak’s list here and the Korea Forest Service list here.
But an ascent of Baegundae is the easy option – and the most popular for all of the 5 million plus visitors the park receives every year. Definitely consider getting away from the crowds on one of the park’s many other great trails. Take the long way round on the Bukhansan Dullegil – or the very long way in the Seoul100k race! Another option is to climb Dobongsan and friends in the quieter – but equally thrilling – northern part of the park!
Not sure exactly what you want to do? Head over to the park and see where the trails lead you. You never know who you might meet or where you’ll end up! Get inspired in Bukhansan National Park!
Happy hiking!