10 Best Mountains to Hike in South Korea: A Local's Guide for First-Time Visitors
After living in Seoul for more than 30 years, one thing that always surprises my friends from overseas is Korea's incredible hiking culture.
Many people imagine Korea as a country of modern cities, K-pop, and amazing food. But what they don't expect is that nearly 70% of the country is covered by mountains.
Even if you're staying in Seoul, you can reach beautiful mountains like Bukhansan, Gwanaksan, and Dobongsan in less than an hour. Venture a little farther, and you'll discover some of the most spectacular national parks in Asia.
I enjoy hiking almost every weekend, and after exploring mountains all over Korea with friends, I've come to understand why so many locals call this country a hiker's paradise.
If you're planning a trip to Korea and want to experience its natural beauty beyond the cities, here are the 10 mountains I recommend most.
Why You Should Experience Hiking in Korea
One of the things I love most about hiking in Korea is how easy it is to combine nature, history, temples, and incredible scenery in a single day.
What makes Korean mountains special?
- Beautiful national parks
- Well-maintained hiking trails
- Scenic mountain temples
- Four distinct seasons
- Excellent public transportation
- Amazing local food after your hike
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hiker, there's a trail for every level.
1. Hallasan (Jeju Island)
Height: 1,947 m (6,388 ft)
Hallasan is the highest mountain in South Korea and the centerpiece of Jeju Island.
The scenery changes dramatically with each season, making it worth visiting year-round.
Recommended trails
- Seongpanak Trail
- Gwaneumsa Trail
How to get there from Seoul
- Fly from Gimpo Airport to Jeju Airport (about 1 hour)
- Take an airport bus or rent a car
- About 50 minutes to the Seongpanak Trailhead
Best seasons: Spring and autumn
2. Jirisan National Park
Height: 1,915 m (6,283 ft)
Jirisan is one of Korea's most iconic national parks.
Watching the sunrise from Cheonwangbong Peak is a bucket-list experience for many Korean hikers.
Recommended trails
- Nogodan Trail
- Jungsan-ri Trail
How to get there
- KTX from Seoul Station to Gurye-Gu Station
- Continue by local bus or taxi
Best seasons: Spring and autumn
3. Seoraksan National Park
Height: 1,708 m (5,604 ft)
If there's one mountain that's especially popular with international visitors, it's Seoraksan.
Its colorful autumn foliage is considered some of the most beautiful in Korea.
Recommended trails
- Ulsanbawi Rock
- Gwongeumseong Cable Car
- Daecheongbong Peak
Getting there
- Express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho (about 2.5 hours)
- Local bus to the national park entrance
4. Bukhansan National Park
Located right in Seoul, Bukhansan is one of the city's favorite hiking destinations.
Recommended trails
- Baegundae Peak
- Bibong Peak
- Ui Ridge Trail
How to get there
- Subway Line 3 to Gupabal Station
- Or Ui LRT Line to Bukhansan Ui Station
Why I recommend it
If you're visiting Seoul for only a few days, this is the easiest mountain to experience without leaving the city.
5. Odaesan National Park
Located in Pyeongchang, Odaesan is known for peaceful forest trails and beautiful Buddhist temples.
Highlights
- Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest Path
- Sangwonsa Temple
Getting there
- KTX from Seoul Station to Jinbu Station
- Local bus to the park
6. Taebaeksan National Park
Taebaeksan is especially famous for its magical snow-covered scenery during winter.
Unlike many Korean mountains, the summit is relatively accessible, making it suitable for beginners.
Best time to visit
December through February
Transportation
- Train from Cheongnyangni Station to Taebaek Station
- Bus or taxi to the national park
7. Chiaksan National Park
Located near Wonju, Chiaksan is one of Korea's best destinations for autumn hiking.
Recommended trail
- Guryongsa Temple Course
Getting there
- KTX from Seoul to Wonju
- Bus to Guryongsa Temple
8. Songnisan National Park
Songnisan combines impressive mountain scenery with Korean history.
Recommended highlights
- Munjangdae Peak
- Beop ju sa Temple
Getting there
- Bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal
- Walk from Songnisan Bus Terminal
This is an excellent destination if you want to combine hiking with temple sightseeing.
9. Deogyusan National Park
Deogyusan is famous for its breathtaking winter frost-covered trees.
Recommended route
- Gondola
- Hyangjeokbong Peak
Transportation
- Bus from Central City Terminal to Muju
- Taxi or shuttle to Deogyusan Resort
Best season: Winter
10. Wolchulsan National Park
Often called the 'Geumgangsan of the Honam Region,' Wolchulsan is known for its dramatic granite peaks.
Recommended trail
- Cloud Bridge
- Cheonhwangbong Peak
Getting there
- KTX from Seoul to Mokpo
- Bus to Yeongam
- Continue to the trailhead
If you enjoy dramatic mountain landscapes, this is one of Korea's most unforgettable hikes.
Best Mountains for Beginners
If this is your first time hiking in Korea, I recommend starting with:
Beginner
- Bukhansan Scenic Trails
- Odaesan
- Taebaeksan
Intermediate
- Seoraksan (Ulsanbawi)
- Chiaksan
- Songnisan
Advanced
- Hallasan
- Jirisan
- Winter hiking in Deogyusan
- Wolchulsan
Estimated Hiking Trip Budget
Day Trip from Seoul
Transportation: ₩10,000–30,000
Meals: ₩10,000–20,000
Estimated total: ₩30,000–50,000
Overnight Trip to Regional Mountains
Transportation: ₩50,000–150,000
Accommodation: ₩80,000–200,000
Meals: ₩30,000–60,000
Estimated total: ₩150,000–400,000 per person
Hiking Essentials
Before heading into the mountains, I always pack:
- Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes
- Lightweight windbreaker
- 1–2 liters of water
- Energy snacks
- Portable battery pack
- Hat
- Rain jacket
For winter hikes, I strongly recommend bringing crampons and insulated gloves, as trails can become icy.
Final Thoughts
After hiking all over Korea for many years, I've realized that Korean mountains are much more than places to reach a summit. They're one of the best ways to experience the country's natural beauty, peaceful temples, and changing seasons.
If your trip to Korea only includes cities like Seoul or Busan, you'll miss an entirely different side of the country.
If you're new to hiking in Korea, I'd personally recommend starting with Bukhansan and Seoraksan. They're easy to access, offer unforgettable scenery, and perfectly showcase why hiking is such an important part of Korean culture.
Trust me—once you stand on a mountain peak overlooking Korea's forests, cities, and coastlines, you'll understand why so many locals spend their weekends on the trails.
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