Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Outdoor boom: Seoul Hiking Week sees sevenfold jump in foreign visitors
A group of 36 foreign participants take part in a sunrise hike at Mount Bukhan during this year's Seoul Hiking Week, Nov. 8. Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization
By Lee Hae-rin
A growing number of international tourists are flocking to Seoul’s mountain trails, where nature meets the city in what officials are calling “K-hiking.”
According to the Seoul Tourism Organization, foreign visitors to its hiking tourism center on Mount Bukhan surged 760 percent this year compared to the same period last year, signaling a sharp rise in the activity’s appeal.
The increase follows the success of this year’s Seoul Hiking Week, jointly organized by the tourism board and the outdoor Korean apparel brand Black Yak. The event featured sunrise hikes to Baegundae Peak on Mount Bukhan and trail-running programs through Uiryeong’s maple-lined paths, attracting more than a thousand participants.
Participants in a trail running program run along the Uiryeong's maple-lined trail in Mount Bukhan, Nov. 9. Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization
Officials say many visitors are drawn to Seoul’s unique geography — a metropolis where forested peaks stand alongside clusters of glass towers and centuries-old palaces. From the summit of Mount Bukhan, hikers can watch dawn spill over Gyeongbok Palace and the Han River, a view that captures the city’s dual identity as both ancient and modern.
The Seoul Hiking Tourism Center, established in 2022, provides rental gear, multilingual trail information, and guided experiences tailored to foreign guests. Building on the momentum, similar centers have opened near Mount Bukhan and Gwanak, introducing new routes that showcase seasonal changes and cultural landmarks.
Beyond hiking, the city’s program now includes indoor climbing and outdoor sports meetups, offering year-round accessibility.
"In just three years, Seoul’s mountains have become a key reason foreigners visit," said Gil Ki-yeon, president of the Seoul Tourism Organization. "K-hiking is no longer just outdoor recreation — it’s a cultural experience."
Officials plan to expand collaborations with private partners to create more creative, sustainable mountain tourism programs that highlight Seoul’s distinct city-meets-nature aesthetic.