Bukhansan – 북한산 is one of Seoul’s most climbed and popular mountains. There are several mountainous reliefs that surround the capital of South Korea, visible in the distance from the city center, creating a beautiful panorama, especially appreciated during sunsets.
The mountains of Seoul are all easily accessible by public transport in a short time, a truly remarkable feature: the hectic concrete city, busy streets, windows and neon signs of restaurants and shops leave space, in a matter of minutes, to the serene green of the nature of these areas which represent an excellent opportunity for a day climb.
Bukhansan – 북한산 some information
Bukhansan – 북한산 is a mountain north of Seoul, hence the name given to it which means “Mountain (산) north (북) of the Han (한) river”. Originally known as Samgaksan which from Korean can be translated as “mountain of the three horns”, a name derived from its profile characterized by the 3 major granite peaks that stand out from the vegetation: the Mangyeongdae (787 meters), the Insubong (810 meters) and the Baegundae which with its 836 meters is the highest one.
Perfect as an adventure and as a day trip from the capital of South Korea, Bukhansan – 북한산 has various routes, each one of several kilometers and of different difficulties, from the easiest to the most demanding that will require specialized climbing equipment … and experience! You will also be able to walk some of the sections of the trails along the walls of the ancient fortress, built on the crests of the Seoul mountain.
Routes that will take you to different areas and that will help you reach the peaks from which you can enjoy the beautiful panorama, which is part of the Bukhansan National Park. Park surrounded by vegetation with woods of trees that silently protect the various paths, some streams, rocky gorges, and some beautiful Buddhist temples that you can visit.
Bukhansan – 북한산 and the Baegundae peak:
There are several routes that will allow you to explore up and down the national park and that will lead you to one of the numerous peaks of Bukhansan – 북한산, all of several kilometers and with varying levels of difficulty.
What I tried is to reach the 836 meters of Baegundae, the highest peak.
The reasons for choosing this destination and this access route to the summit are different: the starting point is easily accessible by public transport, from the city center you can easily reach the Seoul mountain (metro + bus), moreover, it is relatively easy to climb if you are in good physical condition, but you don’t have to be an iron man! The route is well traced and stretches along a fascinating and refreshing, for body and mind, surrounding nature: between rocks that emerge from the green vegetation, trees, short streams, small waterfalls and with really excellent views (when the sky it is not covered by clouds or smog), especially once you reach the top.
It is quite a popular route for mountain enthusiasts, so try to avoid weekends which are particularly busy with local people and some tourists.
Don’t forget to prepare something to eat for when you reach the top hungry and some water for when you are walking along the way, especially in summer it is easy to get dehydrated! Locals usually carry the famous and delicious gimbap, a stuffed roll made with rice wrapped in dried seaweed – light to carry and great for filling your stomach after climbing. Often when Koreans have a picnic they eat it accompanied with good makgeolli, an alcoholic drink made from the fermentation of rice, or soju, but since the heights require certain prudence it is forbidden to drink alcohol here, as indicated by the different signs you will find at the top of the Baegundae.
You can start climbing Bukhansan – 북한산 to Baegundae Peak from Bukhansanseong Center, easily accessible by subway and bus from central Seoul and in no time:
Get off at the Gupabal – 구파발 역 stop (on line number 3, the orange one) and from exit 1 of the station you will find the bus stop behind you, a few meters away. Get on the #704 or #34 and after about ten minutes you will reach the Bukhansan National Park stop, you will probably notice other hikers getting off here, if you have problems ask the driver. You have to walk a few meters and turn right, you will find the signs for the park, then just go straight following the uphill road.
At the entrance to the Bukhansan National Park, there are numerous restaurants, cafes and food stalls where you can eat local delicacies. If you have forgotten something in your backpack, don’t worry, on the slopes of the mountain there is a whole area of shops selling trekking equipment and clothes.
The route is easy to find, there are several signs and maps of the area that will help you not to get lost and decide which way to take to reach your destination.
The climb gradually begins to make itself felt: after orienting yourself and taking a few steps, the path to the top of the Seoul mountain welcomes those interested in an adventurous visit to the area with its first leg challenges. But the fascinating and relaxing surrounding nature and the sight of the destination, to be reached as the goal of the day, will give you the courage and energy needed to move forward without noticing too much of the physical effort.
The route is both on the beaten ground and on rocks, sometimes there are stairs to go up, it is preferable to have good hiking shoes.
As you are marching you can see the peak of Insubong (810 meters), the most challenging to reach as it involves climbing on a granite rock, so if you are interested in the adventure you have to prepare all the equipment to take with you and it is better to go there with a guide or someone expert.
The path becomes even steeper in its last part before the Baegundae peak, you walk on the granite rock, which at times requires the use of a handrail made of simple but reliable ropes well hooked to the boulder to ensure the undamaged arrival at the top.
Going up the panorama becomes more and more exciting and once you reach the top of Bukhansan – 북한산 the 360-degree view of the immense city of Seoul and the surrounding green area will be impressed in your heart leaving you with great memories!
When you reach the peak of the Seoul mountain there are often wild cats waiting for some climber to come and share with them a few bites of the food that you usually carry around to refresh and recover the energy of fatigue. Take some time to enjoy the summit and don’t miss the chance to take a nice souvenir photo in front of the Korean flag at the top of the climb!
The path to the Baegundae is about 4km and will keep your legs busy for more or less 4 or 5 hours, depending on your physical preparation, in which you can reach the top and return to the valley.
Bukhansan – 북한산 when to go
Bukhansan – 북한산, is one of the most fascinating mountains in Seoul, it is accessible in all seasons of the year, each of which presents a particular beauty, especially in springs where everything is in bloom and in autumn with the fantastic vivid colors of the time. In summer it is quite hot and muggy while in winter the temperatures can be freezing and the path icy or snowy.
A destination that will give you different emotions every day of the year!
