K-hiking: Korea’s urban mountains become must-visit tourist destinations

Foreign tourists hike on a trail at Mount Bugak in Seoul, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Park Jin-hai

By Park Jin-hai

• Published Jun 4, 2025 1:58 PM KST
• Updated Jun 6, 2025 2:25 PM KST

Wearing hanbok (Korean traditional attire) and walking around Gyeongbok Palace, eating street food and shopping for K-pop merchandise and cosmetics used to top to-do lists for people traveling to Korea.

Now, a new experience is climbing in popularity — literally. Hiking Korea’s urban mountains, often dubbed “K-hiking,” has quickly become one of the most unexpected yet popular activities among international tourists.

Searching hashtags like #seoulhiking, #hikingtourism or #hikinginseoul on Instagram now turns up over 10,000 posts. No matter which mountain in downtown Seoul, it is now common to see foreign tourists exploring mountain paths or taking photos at the summits.

Urban hiking, Korean style

The unique joy of hiking that Koreans have long known — slurping ramyeon (instant noodles) and eating gimbap (Korean seaweed rice rolls) at the peak and cooling down with makgeolli (Korean rice wine) after a trek — is now catching on among foreigners as well.

One key reason behind its growing popularity is the ease and spontaneity it offers — tourists can enjoy a scenic hike surrounded by nature without leaving the city or preparing much at all. The idea of urban hiking, where hikers can reach a mountain just by taking a bus or subway, feels fresh and novel to visitors from abroad.

Catalina, from Romania, who participated Sunday in the "Seoul Hiking Tour Program" with some 30 foreigners for a three-hour hike on Mount Bugak, said the accessibility is the most surprising factor for mountains in Seoul and Korea more broadly.

"In Korea, it's so easy to go climb mountains. In my country we have very high mountains, but we don't have infrastructure. So in order to go there you actually have to take a car and then hiking is going to take you at least one weekend. You cannot just wake up one morning, decide that you want to go hiking, take a subway and hike," she said.

As a big fan of gugak (traditional Korean music) since 2012 through the Korean drama "Heartstrings," Catalina now frequently visits Korea, calling Seoul the only city where she "feels home."

Another traveler, Luca from Argentina, who chose to hike with his friends, also said the most interesting part of K-hiking is its convenience.

"We had such a beautiful hike with great scenery, great views starting from a very cute little neighborhood in Seoul (Samcheong-dong) and the hiking trail still very much within the city," he said.

Indeed, mountains are seen from almost anywhere in the city and once people climb those mountains, they can enjoy panoramic views of Seoul and the surrounding area. There are easy trekking courses perfect for a light walk and people can also experience traditional culture at mountainside temples.

The Seoul Hiking Tour Program participants, who gathered at the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center in central Seoul, rented their hiking clothes, boots, sticks and other safety equipment before setting off.

They walked through the city streets and headed to Mount Bugak, covering the route from the entrance of Samcheong Park to Palgakjeong Pavilion and Malbawi Observatory, taking a little over three hours. After a refreshing workout on the trail, the group paused the pavilion, where they cooked store-bought ramyeon and shared it with gimbap, enjoying a quintessential Korean hiking meal together.

Maria Jose from Mexico noted that sharing instant noodles and gimbap at the summit made the experience uniquely Korean.

"I would never have thought it was something you would eat on a hike. So for me, just to go up and then at the top you have ramyeon was a unique experience," she said, adding what she expects the most from her trip to Korea is food, including Korean barbecue, fried chicken and seafood in Jeju.

Luca mentioned the air dust blower installed at the entrance of the mountain as very clever and added that he was impressed at how well-maintained the steps and pathways were along the whole trail.

"They are extremely well taken care of and you can't just be climbing rocks or misstepping because of faulty ground," he said.

Hiking made easy

The number of foreigners visiting Korea’s mountains is rapidly increasing.

The Seoul Hiking Tourism Center first opened its Bukhansan Branch in 2022, its Bugaksan Branch the following year and most recently its Gwanaksan Branch this year, now operating three centers in total. As of Tuesday, over 95,000 people have used the centers — more than 26,000 of them foreign nationals.

While the Gwanaksan Center primarily serves Korean hikers, the Bugaksan Center now sees foreign visitors making up nearly 50 percent of its total foot traffic. At the Bukhansan Branch, that figure is even higher, at close to 70 percent.

“When the Bukhansan center first opened three years ago, we thought it was remarkable if the ratio of foreigners to locals was even 50:50. But now, foreigners overwhelmingly outnumber locals at the Bukhansan Center. More than two-thirds of our visitors are foreigners," said Lee Chan-ho, an official of Seoul Tourism Organization.

"Considering Mount Bukhan is relatively less accessible, it’s clear that these aren’t just people dropping by, but foreign tourists who are genuinely interested in hiking Korean mountains, coming specifically to rent equipment or get information. The numbers clearly show this increase."

These centers serve as both information hubs and rest stops for those seeking out Seoul’s urban mountains. In addition to multilingual services in English, Japanese and more, they offer affordable rental of hiking equipment such as boots, clothing and walking sticks, with fees ranging from 2,000 won to 5,000 won.

The centers are also equipped with lockers, visitor lounges and showers. Thanks to these amenities, the barrier to K-hiking has been significantly lowered, allowing foreigners without hiking gear or travel information to comfortably enjoy the activity in Korea.

According to the global booking platform Klook, sales of hiking and trekking packages to Korea’s famous mountains increased by more than 120 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, with travelers from the Americas, Singapore and the Philippines making up the main customer base.

Putting aside the accessibility and Wi-Fi connection even at the mountain peaks, Lee of the tourism organization counts the variety of trail choices and safety as strengths of Seoul’s mountains.

“With just a little effort, anyone can find a wide variety of hiking courses in Seoul to suit their preferences — whether they like valleys, ridgelines or city views. There are easy walking trails with great cityscapes, as well as more adventurous and even extreme courses for thrill-seekers,” he said.

"Since these mountains are close to the city, there are always people around, which makes hiking safer, even if you go alone. In other countries, extreme trails can feel dangerous because they are so isolated, but in Seoul, you always feel a certain level of safety thanks to the presence of other hikers and proximity to downtown."

For those who try K-hiking, Lee noted the top three mountains are Mount Bukhan, Mount Bugak and Mount Gwanak. He also recommended Mount Acha to the east and Mount Cheonggye to the south for its easy accessibility and great city view.

K-hiking isn’t just about climbing.

After the trekking, the participants to the hiking tour program headed to a restaurant near the center to try makgeolli and jeon, a perfect end to their urban mountain experience.

Anastasia from Russia, who is studying international relations in Korea, said she loves hiking Korean mountains with her Korean boyfriend, noting that the most fascinating thing for her was seeing vendors selling makgeolli at the top of the mountains.

“Every time I see it, I’m amazed at how they carry big backpacks full of makgeolli all the way up to the summit and then sell it there,” she said.

Top 3 urban mountains for K-hiking

The Seoul Tourism Organization operates three Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers near the most popular inner-city mountains. Urban proximity and natural beauty makes them highly popular hiking destinations for both local residents and international visitors.

1. Mount Bukhan

Mount Bukhan, with its highest peak at 836 meters, is a highly accessible yet rugged mountain located conveniently near Bukhansan Ui Station on the Ui LRT.

It's a particularly popular destination for hikers due to its accessibility and the variety of courses it offers. While some trails provide gentle walks with excellent city views, others cater to those seeking a more adventurous or even extreme hiking experience. The mountain also boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, with numerous temples, fortresses and ancient sites nestled within its slopes.

2. Mount Bugak

Mount Bugak (342 meters), located near Anguk Station and Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Metro Line 3, can be a great starter for casual visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and historical ambiance within the heart of a bustling metropolis.

As the main guardian mountain of Seoul's inner four mountains during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, it offers a unique opportunity to hike along sections of the ancient Seoul City Wall, providing a tangible link to Korea's past. Hikers are rewarded with stunning vistas of downtown Seoul, encompassing iconic landmarks like Gyeongbok Palace, Cheong Wa Dae (the former presidential compound) and N Seoul Tower.

3. Mount Gwanak

Mount Gwanak (629 meters), near Gwanaksan Station on the Sillim Line, boasts of its rugged beauty, forming part of the Korean capital's southern border with Gyeonggi Province.

Unlike some of Seoul's gentler mountains, Mount Gwanak has diverse routes, from steep ascents to winding paths, and is renowned for its dramatic granite peaks and unique rock formations, which create picturesque scenery.

This mountain is home to several historic temples and hermitages, such as Yeonjuam Hermitage and Gwacheon Hyanggyo Confucian School, adding a cultural and spiritual dimension to the hiking experience.