Hiking to Baegundae Peak Alone: My Bukhansan Adventure

One of my goals while studying abroad in South Korea is to push myself outside of my comfort zone and become more independent. Hiking to Baegundae Peak in Bukhansan National Park by myself definitely did that.

Deciding to Go Alone

I had wanted to hike Bukhansan for a while, especially Baegundae, the highest peak in the park. I couldn't find anyone to go with me that day, so instead of changing my plans, I decided to go alone.

I left from Yonsei in the morning and made my way to Bukhansan using public transportation. By now, I've learned that NAVER Map is basically essential for all of my adventures in Korea!

The Hike to Baegundae

At first, the hike was pretty manageable, but it definitely became harder as I got closer to the top. The final part of the trail was much steeper and rockier than I expected, and there were moments when I questioned why I decided to do this alone.

I also saw so many experienced Korean hikers passing me while I was stopping to catch my breath, which was both impressive and slightly humbling.

But every time I got tired, I reminded myself how close I was and kept going.

Reaching the Peak

Finally reaching Baegundae Peak made all the effort worth it.

Standing at the top and looking out over Seoul and the surrounding mountains was incredible. After spending most of my days surrounded by buildings, subway stations, and busy streets, seeing the city from above felt completely different.

It was also a proud moment for me because I had figured out how to get there, completed the hike, and reached the highest point in Bukhansan all by myself.

A Little More Independent

This hike reminded me of one of the biggest reasons I wanted to study abroad. I wanted to challenge myself and become more comfortable doing things independently.

Studying abroad isn't only about classes or visiting famous tourist attractions. Sometimes it's about realizing that you are capable of doing things that once seemed intimidating.

My legs were definitely exhausted afterward, but reaching Baegundae Peak alone is an experience I'll remember for a long time.

And I think this is only the beginning of my solo adventures in Korea.