TOP 10 HIKING TRAILS IN GYEONGGI DO
Hiking in South Korea is a favourite activity of most locals and tourists alike. It is a great way to unwind and have a good time away from the city. Most of the land in the country is mountainous so it explains why hiking is fun for a lot of people.
Gyeonggi-do is the most populated province in Korea because it surrounds Seoul. The area is blessed with numerous mountains and trails, which explains why there is always a crowd in these places. Gyeonggi-do has several hiking trails ranging from easy to average to hard climbing levels. We will take a look at 10 popular ones among them:
- Yeonjudae
- Bukhansan
- Buraksan Hiking Preserve
- Soyosan Trail
- YumYeongsan Mountain
- Ungilsan
- Surisan
- The Hwaseong Fortress Trail
- Maansan Trail
- Obong Course
OK! Let’s dig in already!
1. Yeonjudae
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A 12.3km route located at Yeonjudae hike starts from Seoul National University.
The view from the trail is magical. The serenity of the forestry and mountains is something to look forward to. One gets to admire Yeonjudae temple, a little monastery situated on top of a rock. You can make a quick detour and visit the temple.
At the peak, you get a breathtaking view of the great city of Seoul.
It is ideal to hike in Yeonjudae between March to September when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
Be sure to be fit and well-equipped before embarking on a hike up Yeonjudae
2. Bukhansan
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Located in Bukhansan National Park, this is a great location if you want to appreciate the beauty of nature and stay away from the noise of the city. Due to its proximity to the city and how accessible it is, the area is always filled with people. You have a variety of trails to choose from.
There are two mountains present in the park and each has several trails to its name. Visitors enjoy observing the environment while climbing to the top of the mountain. As is common with most mountains, there are cultural sites and temples on it.
Other trails in Bukhansan National Park include:
Dobongsan Trail
Billabong Peak Loop
Daeseong Mun
Baegunbongammun
Mount Baegundae and Yeonbong
Bukhansan, Dobongsan, Mount Sunapee Summit
Baegundae Tour, etc.
3. Buraksan Hiking Preserve
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Located near Pyeongtaek-si Gyeonggi-do, the Buraksan trail is properly managed and is available for all age groups. It has a total distance of about 13.4km. Everyone can have a great time hiking here. You will find many standpoints on your way up the trail. It is a fun feature.
Kids are not left out of all the fun because there is equipment for them to use. You will also find different workout equipment that you can use. This makes this trail a very catchy location. If you love taking pictures then you are just in luck because you will find so many photo spots on the trail. The trail has incredible towers from where you can have a glimpse of the entire area.
You can use any route of your choice but there is also a main trail that begins at one point and ends at another, covering a distance of over 7 miles. It is a bit challenging to hike this route so it takes about 4 hours to complete this activity.
You can visit at any time of the year as the place is always open. You can bring your dog as well but ensure that it is leashed.
4. Soyosan Trail
Photo Credit: https://alltrails.com
This mountain trail is popular for having its incredible view and it is equally well-managed. You will be able to see forests, flowers, and other natural elements. The air is also cool and fresh. It doesn’t matter if you’re hiking for the first time because there are different trail courses for every level (beginner, intermediate, and expert).
You can drive to the location as there is a large parking space but you have to pay for that. After hiking, you can have a meal at any of the restaurants at the entrance. Convenient right?
Soyosan trail is located at 406-65, Pyeonghwa-ro 2910beon-gil, Dongducheon, Gyeonggi-do 11307 South Korea.
5. YumYeongsan Mountain
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This is yet another popular mountain trail where you can have a blast. The trail begins from Yangpyeong. There are three hiking courses available for you to choose from.
The slopes along the mountain are open and it’s easy to run on them. Beautiful and evergreen trees are scattered throughout the area. There is also a river.
Restrooms and parking facilities are available for use. The address of the mountain is Okcheon-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, and Seorak-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do.
6. Ungilsan
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Hiking this mountain trail can be nice and strenuous at the same time. It is located near the city of Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do in South Korea. Ungilsan is about 2002 ft tall. The ambiance of the mountain makes all the trouble worth it.
The location is 186, Bukhangang-ro 433beon-gil, Joan-myeon, Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do 12280 South Korea.
7. Surisan
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Surisan is a mountain located in Gyeonggi province. An amazing place to go hiking, it is a 3.8-mile trail. At Surisan station, there is a map to help you plan the route you will take.
The route has a few steep areas, so it is considered moderately challenging. However, the view at the peak is worth it. There are four peaks on the mountain, the highest being the Taeulbong peak.
The scenery at Surisan gives a calming sensation. The old trees growing there make a good picture.
Surisan is open to visitors of all ages and admission is completely free.
8.The Hwaseong Fortress Trail
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If you visit the famous Hwaseong Fortress, you will find a magnificent palace in the centre. You can have an incredible time exploring the palace area and finally go hiking on the mountain trail.
The trail covers a distance of 4.5 miles and is about 129 m high. Hiking here has been rated as easy so you’re in for an easy activity. It will take you about 2 to 3 hours to complete your hike.
The entrance fee into the fortress is KRW 1,500.
The location is in 320-2 Yeonghwa-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
9. Maansan Trail
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This is a very easy mountain to climb. It was a height of just over 100 metres and even kids are welcome to hike. It is a great spot to enjoy the gift of nature. From the peak of the mountain, you can see wild squirrels jumping from tree to tree. The environment is serene and is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
You will find amazing cafes and restaurants at the entrance of the mountain where you can indulge your taste buds. The honey ice cream sold there is simply delicious and is one of a kind.
The address is 17 Daean-ri, Hyeon Deok-hyeon, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
10. Obong Course
Photo Credit: https://alltrails.com
This trail has a loop route type and covers about 7.6 km. Hiking this trail is generally challenging and needs you to be very careful. It will take you about 3 hours or more to complete your hike.
Obong course is an ideal location for walking, hiking, and relaxation during less noisy hours of the day.
There are beautiful natural attractions that make the Obong course a great place – a waterfall, forest, river, etc. The view from the trail is great and is worth trying out.
Take note of the following when hiking in mountains in Gyeonggi-do:
~ Learn about your hiking route before embarking on the activity. Be ready to make changes if the need arises.
~ Ensure that your shoes are comfortable enough. There are special shoes for hiking during winter. You can get them from any of the hiking shops at the entrance of the parks or trails.
~ You might get thirsty or hungry during your hike so bring snacks and bottles of water along.
~ If you come across any native sign that you can’t pronounce, use the Google translate app to translate it for you or you could ask a local to help you out.
~ If need be, you can use Kakao or Maver Map to locate the closest bus or subway station.
Hiking is a great way to unwind so you should enjoy every bit of the activity. You can hike alone, with family or friends.
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