In Seoul, they are many mountains what allow us to have some funs in the week-end ( and to do some exercise ). Gwanaksan is one of the most famous and have a beautiful view of Seoul.

They’re different paths to go to the top of Gwanaksan but I will explain you the one I really appreciate. To go down, you can take the same path but I advise you to go down in direction of Seoul University.
Please note that Gwanaksan is not an easy hiking, with at least 600m of vertical drop and many stairs. You will needs around 2 or 3 hours to go to the top ( according to your level ).

I think, the best season to enjoy it is springs and mostly in autumn to enjoy the beautiful colors. In summer, the weather can be very hot and the path is sunny.
Like every popular hiking in Korea, you will see many colorful grand pa and grand ma !

The Hiking

It start in Sadang Station ( Line 2 and 4 ), where you can buy a kimbap, the “traditional hiking meal”. Just after the subway, take the road on the right. After 300m, you will start the hiking and you follow the 관악산 direction. The path is quite easy and you will have many stairs when it’s too steep.

Start of the hiking with some stairs, many stairs !

Don’t forget to look at your back when you going up, the view of Seoul is wonderful !

View of Seoul
View of Seoul
View of Seoul
View of Seoul

Enjoy the time to look at Seoul, but the top is still far !

The top is still far …

At the end, you have a slightly aerial path for few meters but nothing very dangerous even for child. The top is very big and you can take some pictures with the 연주대 rock.

Top of Gwanaksan mountain
Eating Kimbap at the top of Gwanaksan !

At the top, just before going down, you should take a look to the Yeonjuam temple (연주암), it’s very beautiful !

Yeonjuam temple
Yeonjuam temple in summer
Yeonjuam temple
Yeonjuam temple in autumn

To go back, you can reuse the same path, but we usually going back via Seoul University. It’s quite fast ( between 1 and 2 hours ), then you can take a bus at Construction Environment Research Institute 건설환경종합연구소 to exit the Seoul University.

The autumn’s colors

The Hiking’s Track