A Seoul Escape to Bukhansan

Rise and shine, and follow along on my trek to Bukhansan.

Are you ready? Your day will start promptly at 5:30 am. 

5:30a: Wake up, dress in layers, fill water bottles, grab some snacks from e-Mart, and head to the bus stop.

6a: Get on the bus to Bukhansan Ui.

7:15a: Arrive at Bukhansan Ui, then walk 2km towards the Bukhansan National Park Ui Ranger Station to find the trailhead. 

7:45a: Start your ascent. 

There are multiple routes to take when hiking Bukhansan, and three major peaks. I chose the trail to Baegundae Peak, the highest and most popular peak of Bukhansan. The hike to the peak will take about 2 hours, with stops for water, pictures, and shoe tying. If you start ANY LATER than 9a (on the weekends), it will be a crowded hike, so I recommend starting as early as possible. 

9:45a: Summit Bukhansan!!

A quick disclaimer. This hike is not easy. The entire ascent is a mix of climbing up rocks and flights of stairs, and once you reach the summit, the last 0.5km of the hike, you essentially hold onto the railing and walk nearly vertical up the side of the mountain. Wear sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes as the rock can be slick. 

10a: Eat, take pictures, and enjoy the view.

We got gifted some fruit from a family sitting near us on the peak!

10:45a: Begin the descent. 

The descent took us half the time the ascent took

12p: Reach the parking lot.

12:01p: Route NAVER to the nearest coffee shop to begin your recovery.

1p: Head to Kwangjang Market for a feast of local Korean foods. 

2p: Arrive at Kwangjang Market and order Mandu, Tteokbokki, Hotteok, and Twisted Donuts

3:30p: Crawl to the nearest bus stop to head home to shower, rehydrate, lie in bed, and then prepare for the best sleep of your life. 

I would HIGHLY recommend this hike to anyone. It was one of my favorite things I have done in Seoul thus far, and the views at the summit make the trek so worth it. I did this hike in mid-November, and the fall colors were beautiful. It was a perfect day with a mix of nature and good food. 

If you have any questions about this hike, there are a million blogs, Reddit threads, and general information about it, offering tips and tricks.

I hope you give this hike a try when you're in Seoul!

All the best,
Abby S.