Seoul City Walls and Bukhansan Hiking

Walk the Hanyang City Walls across the Naksan, Inwangsan, Bugaksan and Namsan sections, then climb Baegunbong Peak on Bukhansan.

Based in Jongno-Anguk, you'll use the subway and buses to reach each trailhead over five days. Start with an easy warm-up on Naksan. Inwangsan's fortress walls offer views of Gyeongbokgung and a descent into Seochon. Bugaksan Sky Road's Palgakjeong Pavilion and Eunpyeong Hanok Village offer distant views of Bukhansan. Then spend a full day climbing Baegunbong on Bukhansan, and finish with the Namsan section up to N Seoul Tower before departure. Seoul's mountains sit right against its urban districts, making this a good choice for fit repeat visitors who want a different way to see the city.

Autumn foliage is at its best. Summer is hot and humid, so set out early in the morning. In winter, icy trails require crampons.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival: Naksan Fortress Wall Section

Seoul（Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun Gate)、Ihwa Mural Village & Naksan Park）

Take AREX and transfer to the subway, about 1.5 hours to Jongno. In the afternoon, take Line 1 to Dongdaemun Station, then walk from Heunginjimun Gate up Naksan along the city wall, about 1.5 hours.

The Naksan section has gentle slopes. The best time to see the city walls is in the evening, when the wall lights come on.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 2 · Inwangsan Fortress Wall and Seochon

Seoul（Inwangsan & Seoul City Wall、Seochon & Tongin Market）

Take subway Line 5 to Seodaemun Station, Exit 4. Pass the Donuimun site and climb to the summit of Inwangsan, then walk to Changuimun Gate. The hike is about 2.5 hours and 4 km. Then walk down the mountain to Seochon.

There are no toilets on the mountain, so bring plenty of water. Rocky sections are slippery after rain.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 3 · Bugaksan Sky Road and Eunpyeong Hanok Village

Seoul（Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong、Eunpyeong Hanok Village & Jingwansa）

From Jongno, take a bus for about 30 minutes to the Palgakjeong Pavilion on Bugaksan Sky Road. Follow the Bugaksan trail for panoramic views of northern Seoul. Then take a taxi for about 20 minutes to Eunpyeong Hanok Village and Jingwansa Temple. Take a bus back to Jongno in the evening.

As a light day before climbing Bukhansan, Eunpyeong Hanok Village offers views of Bukhansan's peaks.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 4 · Baegunbong Peak on Bukhansan

Seoul（Bukhansan National Park）

Take the subway, transferring to the Ui-Sinseol Line, to Bukhansan Ui Station, Exit 2, about 1 hour. The round trip to Baegunbong takes about 5–6.5 hours. After descending, take the subway back to Jongno.

The summit section has steep slopes with iron chains, so bring hiking boots and gloves. Weekends are crowded, so set out before 8 a.m.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 5 · Namsan Fortress Wall Section and Departure

Seoul（Namsangol Hanok Village、N Seoul Tower）

Take subway Line 3 or 4 to Chungmuro Station. Walk through Namsangol Hanok Village and follow the wall trail up Namsan, about 1 hour. After descending, go to Seoul Station and take AREX to the airport.

You can store your luggage at Seoul Station, so you can climb with a light pack.

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