In Seoul, the mountains are the quickest escape from the city. A short walk from the subway can put you on a ridge, and in an instant the urban landscape feels completely different. From Bukhansan’s rocky arêtes to Inwangsan’s fortress trails, I captured the distinct impressions each Seoul mountain leaves. I hope this piece nudges you to plan your next hike sooner.
① Bukhansan: Seoul’s central mountain — the scale of granite ridgelines
Calling Bukhansan simply “Seoul’s mountain” doesn’t do it justice. It stretches across Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi area and meets the city’s edge, yet the granite ridgelines around Baegundae and Insubong have a scale and grandeur that rival any famous peak. With easy access and sweeping natural scenery, the views on the same trail change dramatically with the seasons and the weather—so there’s always a reason to come back.
My top picks are the Hidden Wall course and the Uisang Ridge.
The Hidden Wall ridge between Baegundae and Insubong lays Bukhansan’s wild side bare. In this section you’ll rely on your hands more than on a typical walk, and the difficulty ramps up fast. Starting from Bamgol and heading to Baegundae, the round trip takes about five hours. Because you’ll be negotiating rough rock ridges, sturdy hiking boots and gloves are essential. As you climb, you’ll feel the rock’s coarse texture and steep angles underfoot, and when the ridge opens up the dramatic cliffs and city views deliver a powerful, unforgettable finish.
The Uisang Ridge begins at the Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center and forces you up and down a series of sharp summits—Uisangbong, Yongchulbong, Yonghyeolbong, and Jeungchwibong among them. The one-way distance is roughly 4–5 km, and the route—nicknamed the “Dinosaur Ridge”—is full of sections where you’ll be using steel cables and every limb to scramble through.
The route’s appeal lies in the crisp connections between peaks. With each summit you pass, the city drops away and the mountain’s structure becomes clearer. That shifting view gives the hike a perfect rhythm of tension and release.
▶ [Walking Seoul’s Skeleton, Its Muscles] ① Bukhansan, Seoul’s central mountain
▶ Mizuno ran a Runners’ Hub at the Seoul International Marathon... about 1,500 visitors
▶ Naju Yeongsan River half-duathlon held
