A hiking blog with pretty pictures.
Korean mountain & valley scenery at its very best on this challenging circuit along Dinosaur Ridge and down Cheonbuldong Valley, in Seoraksan National Park.
Our first time in Seoraksan National Park was one of our enduring hiking highlights. This time we did what is supposedly the best and hardest walk in the park—Dinosaur Ridge 공룡능선—so named for the jagged peaks along its spine (looking like a Stegosaurus I guess). It was bound to be a classic walk with stupendous scenery lifted right out of a Daoist painting, especially in Autumn / Fall, whatever the conditions…
Continue reading “Dinosaur Ridge 공룡능선 Circuit, Seoraksan 설악산, South Korea”
Climb up a pleasant valley & along ridges to the high point of Jirisan National Park-Cheonwangbong 1915m-for expansive wilderness views.
Jirisan National Park in southern South Korea is the closest thing to wilderness in the country, and is home of the mainland’s tallest peak, Cheonwangbong (1915m). The wide open views are pretty grand, although not as spectacular as some of the more rocky mountain ranges. Our ascent from Baekmudong was up a very pleasant valley. Unseasonable snow overnight added to the aesthetics as we gained the higher elevations. Continue reading “Cheonwangbong 천왕봉 from Baekmudong 백무동, Jirisan 지리산 National Park, South Korea”
Good variety on this traverse of Gwanaksan (632m) on the southern edge of Seoul, with a temple building on top providing the money shot.
Gwanaksan (632m) is a mountain on the southern border of Seoul, and the northern border of Gyeonggido. There’s the usual granite outcrops, pleasant forest, a temple near the start (Gwaneumsa) and one almost on top (Yeonjudae), and of course city views for miles. It’s not as spectacular as Bukhansan to the north, but the finish along a rocky river bed was very pleasant, and added good variety. One of the Yeonjudae Temple buildings is perched on the very edge of the mountain and makes for an impressive photo – scroll down for that. Continue reading “Gwanaksan 관악산 Traverse, Seoul, Korea”
Your reward for the shortish walk up Sorae-san (299m) are excellent views of Incheon, Gyeonggido and Seoul, including a distant Bukhansan.
Sorae-san is a decent sized hill (299m) on the border of Incheon and Gyeonggido. The walk up is like any other forested hill in Korea, but views from the summit are surprisingly good. On a clear day you can see all the way to Bukhansan in the north, over Incheon to the coast, and east towards Gwanaksan. Continue reading “Sorae-san 소래산 from Incheon Grand Park, South Korea”
Dobongsan (740m) via Podae Ridge in Bukhansan National Park is one of Seoul’s classic walks to granite strewn peaks with city views for miles.
Dobongsan (740m) is a peak at the northern end of Bukhansan National Park, and is an alternative climb to the park’s highest peak, Baegundae. The scenery is similar – which is to say excellent – although slightly less spectacular. It’s probably quieter though, and I enjoyed the partial circuit via Podae Ridge. There are the usual granite outcrops, attractive forest (in the right season), and a couple of temples to visit along the way. Continue reading “Dobongsan 도봉산 via Podae Ridge 포대능선, Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, Korea”
A short but steep hike to exceptional views of Chungju-ho Lake from Ageobong / Crocodile Peak (442m). Take your camera.
My brother in law recommended this short but steep walk to Ageobong / Crocodile Peak for on our drive back from a day out in Woraksan National Park. It was totally worth the hour or so walking (return) for the spectacular views of Chungju-ho (Lake), and the various peninsulas that jut out, looking like crocodiles in the water and giving the peak its name. Continue reading “Ageobong 악어봉 / Crocodile Peak, Woraksan 월악산, South Korea”
Just moderate effort will get you up Jebibong Peak, with spectacular views of Chungju-ho Lake, mountains, cliffs & forest along the way.
This walk up Jebibong Peak in Woraksan National Park was a plan B for us, but unded up being a real gem. For just moderate effort in less than half a day you get spectacular views of Chungju-ho Lake, the largest in South Korea, surrounded by mountains, cliffs and lush forest. Continue reading “Jebibong Peak 제비봉, Woraksan 월악산 National Park, South Korea”
Top class scenery in Seoul’s Bukhansan National Park, on the best circuit in the park climbing Baegundae Peak (836m) via Uisangbong Peak.
Bukhansan National Park sits on the northern edge of Seoul, and offers some of South Korea’s most dramatic scenery, all accessible by public transport. The route to the spectacular high point of Baegundae Peak (836m) over Uisangbong Peak (502m) is probably the best in the park. Returning through Oryudong Valley adds variety, including a couple of temples and various traditional buildings. Expect granite cliffs, beautiful valleys, fortress gates and Buddhist temples. Continue reading “Uisangbong 의상봉 & Baegundae 백운대 Circuit, Bukhansan National Park 북한산국립공원, Seoul, South Korea”
The circuit around the walls of Namhansanseong Fortress 남한산성 is a great combination of natural scenery, history & cityscapes all in one walk.
The walk around the fortress city of Namhansanseong 남한산성 is a very nice combination of natural scenery and historic architecture. The complex was built on a mountain (approx 480m high) south of Seoul in the 1600s as an emergency capital. The view of Seoul from the West Gate is excellent, and if you time it like we did, then you can watch the sun set behind the city. The 555m Lotte World Tower is an obvious highlight of that sprawling cityscape.
Continue reading “Namhansanseong Fortress 남한산성 Circuit, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea”Really spectacular hiking in Seoraksan National Park, traversing the highest point Daecheongbong, and descending into Cheonbuldong Valley.
Seoraksan National Park is reputed to be the most beautiful part of South Korea, and with good reason. I was lucky to time my first trip to the park with peak Autumn colours, so I got the full experience. Despite having walked for hours already, the scenery in the latter third of the walk was so fantastic that I bounded down the mountain like a manic mountain goat, feeling no tiredness due to the scenery-fuelled adrenaline in my system. Keep wading through my many photos to see this section, and also a few photos at the end of the Buddhist temple Sinheungsa. Continue reading “Daecheongbong Peak traverse, Seoraksan, South Korea”
