This might be one of the nicest and handiest trails in South Korea. The Bukhansan Dullegil (북한산 둘레길) is a footpath that wraps around the base of Seoul’s famous national park. With a total length of just over 70 kilometers, this trail makes an amazing single-day challenge for runners! Divided into 21 unique sections, this is an accessible and fun adventure for hikers as well.
The Bukhansan Dullegil was originally constructed to ease the heavy foot traffic in Bukhansan National Park (북한산국립공원) – by some metrics, the most-visited national park in the world! It offers an alternative to the stiff climbs and exposed rocky peaks within the park. The dullegil trails are mild: great for running at a steady pace or for casual outings with family or friends. These trails don’t get as busy as the routes to the summits, providing a quieter national park experience. There are many great reasons to take a hike on the dullegil.
In sections numbered 1 – 20, the trail is an undulating footpath through the forests below Baegundae and Dobongsan. Perfectly suited for both running and walking, the trail is wide and well-maintained. The terrain varies between wooden walkway, dirt path and routes over rocks. Each section presents different views: some looking down on the city, many running through the forest, and a few winding through fields of tall grass. Alongside the trail, there are benches for picnics and resting. At several places, the trail descends to neighborhoods where you can gather food and fluids.
The loop of the dullegil is connected in the middle by Uiryeong-gil: an old road over a high pass between Bukhansan and Dobongsan. This is the only part of the dullegil that has restricted access. If you want to tread this road, you’ll need to make a reservation first. The reservation process is simple: just call ahead (more information here) and present ID when you arrive in Uiryeong-gil.
Uiryeong-gil is a uniquely scenic and historic route with its own merits, and it also divides the route neatly in two. The northern section encircles Dobongsan, while the southern section loops around Bukhansan. This offers hikers and runners the chance to complete the circuit in two parts, perhaps over a weekend.
Want to tackle the dullegil one scenic section at a time? That works too! Bukhansan National Park’s great location is key to accessibility for journeys long and short. Public transportation is available from the start and end points of each section (just the northwest corner is a little tricky, being farther afield).
Explore the Bukhansan Dullegil
A visual overview of the Bukhansan Dullegil
