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Each of the 37 mountains in Seoul has a unique
beauty all its own. At 837 meters high, Mt. Bukhansan is the highest
in Seoul, and attracts a large number of hikers from all over the
nation. Apart from Mt. Bukhansan, there are seven mountains including
Dobongsan and Suraksan that are over 600 meters high. In addition
to these steep mountains, there are also some with trails that make
climbing as easy as a downtown stroll.
This feature presents
a number of easy-to-climb mountains as well as mountain parks. Anyone
can visit them to view the natural scenery or to get some exercise,
and it doesn’t require any equipment. Follow KTO to the best spots
nature has to offer –all right in the heart of Seoul. |
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※ Mt. Umyeonsan
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A 10-minute walk from Nambu Express Bus Terminal station on Subway
Line 3 will take you to Seoul Arts Center. The overpass in front
of the center leads directly to a hiking trail for Mt. Umyeonsan.
Named for its shape, which resembles a sleeping cow, 293 meter-high
Umyeonsan lies between Seocho-gu in Seoul and Gwacheon in Gyeonggi-do.
For this reason, it is one of the most popular hiking trails in
Gangnam, together with Mt. Cheonggyesan and Gwanaksan.
For
a refreshing one-hour hike, climb up until you come to Daeseongsa
Temple and to a spring, and then come down to Seoul Arts Center
to relax. A visit to the performance halls in the center, the Hangaram
Art Museum, and the Korean Calligraphy Museum are also worthwhile
places to see.
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| How
to Get There: Take Subway Line 3 to Nambu Express Bus Terminal
(Exit 5) → Walk ahead and turn right at the intersection → Walk
ahead and go up the overpass to go to the hiking trail |
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♣ Mt. Umyeonsan Natural Ecological Park
This park, which covers a 318,644㎡ area and is 1,320m in length,
is relatively unknown. A 10-minute ride on bus No. 3217 from Yangjae
Station (Subway Line 3) will take you to a beautiful rural residential
town. Located on the outskirts is an ecological park, which has
14 sections including a butterfly observatory, and insect and flower
observatories. It takes approximately one hour to look around.
Another good alternative is to take a leisurely walk along the path,
relax on one of the many benches along the way, and listen to birds
or insects while enjoying some time in meditation. While the park
does not offer a view of Seoul, it has a picturesque reservoir that
welcomes visitors.
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How
to Get There: Take Subway Line 3 to Yangjae Station (Exit 7)
→ Take green bus No. 3412 → Get off at the last stop → Walk ahead
and turn left at the three-way intersection → Walk ahead and take
the unpaved road on the left for another 100 meters.
Reservation:
+82-2-570-6379 (Korean, English)
Korea Travel Phone:
+82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Hours:
10:00~17:00 (Every hour, a maximum of 40 visitors with reservations
are admitted with a maximum of 360 visitors per day) / Closed on
Mondays
* Even if you don’t have a reservation,
there may still be availability on weekdays. Call ahead and check
it out. |
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※ Mt. Yongmasan
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Mt. Yongmasan, at 348 meters high, has stationary exercise equipment
along the hiking trail and an octagonal pavilion halfway up the
mountain. At the summit, there is a marker showing the mountain’s
height above sea level and a large steel radio tower. As you walk
down towards Mt. Achasan from the summit, you will find the ruins
of a small fort of the Goguryeo era (BC37~AD668) built at a strategic
point overlooking the area of Jungnangcheon Stream.
On the way
up, you will find numerous observation platforms from which one
can see a great view of some of the landmarks of Seoul such as the
Hangang Bridge, Mt. Namsan, 63 City building, and Gangnam COEX.
In general, people start their hike from Mt. Yongmasan and go down
to Mt. Achasan, or vice versa. Either trail takes about two hours.
Some areas are steep, so it is important to wear hiking boots or
trekking shoes.
When going up the mountain from Yongmasan Station,
make sure to stop by Yongmasan’s Waterfall Park. The largest man-made
waterfall in Asia, where the central falls are 51 meters high, while
those on each side are 21 meters. At regular intervals, the water
volume increases making a stronger flow.
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How
to Get There: Take Subway Line 7 to Yongmasan Station (Exit
2) → Walk into the entrance of Hanshin Apartments, and walk ahead
→ Go up the stairs next to the pavilion and take a right past the
playground to an exercise facility → Next to the facility, go up
the stairs behind the wired fence.
Time: From the summit
of Mt. Yongmasan to Mt. Achasan, it takes about 2 hours to 2 and
a half hours. |
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※ Mt. Achasan
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At 287 meters high, Mt. Achasan is an easy 30-minute hike, which
is perfect for beginners. In fact, many people walk up the mountain
wearing casual clothing. It offers hikers a bird’s-eye-view of
the Hangang River and the downtown area. At the halfway observation
deck and the summit, you’ll get a view of the upper stream of the
Hangang River, and the cities of Guri and Hanam. This is the closest
vantage point for viewing the Hangang River from above.
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How
to Get There: Take Subway Line 5 to Achasan Station (Exit 2)
→ Turn left at the first intersection → Walk ahead and turn right
at the dead-end three-way intersection → Walk for about 200 meters
→ Walk by Hwayangsa Temple and you will see the Daeseongam Entrance,
which leads to the mountain.
Required time: It takes
about one hour to go up and down the summit of Mt. Achasan. If you
plan to start at Mt. Achasan and climb down Mt. Yongmasan, it will
take about 2 to 2 and a half hours. |
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※ Mt. Namsan
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Located in the heart of Seoul, Mt. Namsan is easily accessible by
the yellow loop bus or cable car, which goes straight to N Tower.
If you want to see more of this mountain, put on some comfortable
running shoes and take a leisurely stroll. Mt. Namsan is more for
walking than hiking.
Another point of interest, there are a
number of film locations on this mountain for movies and dramas.
The stairway leading to the fountain is the backdrop for the final
scene of “My
Lovely Sam-soon”, while the fountain itself was a scene in
the film “Lovers
in Paris”. You can also take a cable car or loop bus up to
N Seoul Tower and then walk down. This is a great trail for those
who want to enjoy a carefree walk and do some sightseeing.
→
Link to Mt. Namsan
→
Link to N Seoul Tower
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| ♣ Map of Mt. Namsan Walks |
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How
to Get There: Take Subway Line 4 to Chungmuro Station (Exit
2) or take Subway Line 3 to Dongguk University Station (Exit 6)
→ Take the Namsan loop bus → Get off at the National Theater →
Walk ahead and turn right → The trail starts on the left where
there is traffic control.
Required time: It depends because
there are many available trails in Namsan. If you are pressed for
time, you can always come down halfway along the trails. |
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[
Tourist Information ]
Korea Travel Phone: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) |
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