Marvel of Nature: Hiking in Bukhansan Mountain National Park

Bukhansan National Park is a rare urban nature park globally and is the 15th national park in South Korea. It boasts 36 imposing peaks, making it the largest mountain in Seoul, and it was once referred to as Samgaksan(three peaks mountain) in the past because the three highest peaks are clustered together. The current name Bukhansan originates from its location north of Hanyang, the old name for Seoul. The tallest among the three peaks is Baegundae (835.6m), and a round-trip hike from the starting point to the summit takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.

From the summit of Baegundae, hikers can marvel at the beautiful and majestic scenery of Bukhansan, as well as the cityscape of Seoul and the northeastern part of Gyeonggi Province. Additionally, during the ascent to Baegundae, you can explore Buddhist hermitage and some historical sites such as the ancient Bukhansanseong fortress, built during the Joseon Dynasty.

While taking a brief rest at the top of Baegundae, you can enjoy a simple mountain snack, such as Gimbap, a favorite among Korean hikers. On the descent route, you can visit Dosonsa, one of the representative Buddhist temples in Seoul. Finally, as a traditional way for Korean hiking enthusiasts to conclude the hike, you can also finish your journey by savoring pajeon (green onion pancakes) and makgeolli (rice wine).