Mount Acha moonlight trekking offers temporary escape from urban bustle

By Ko Dong-hwan

Breathing inside a metropolis of concrete, traffic and countless strangers can be unbearable to some Seoulites, especially during summer. However, beyond the maze of buildings and crowded streets, the city offers a respite ― a hidden oasis of mountains enveloped in lush greenery, filled with forests, streams, and serene wildlife habitats that promise soothing comfort.

These city mountains are more than just a refuge from urban life as they also offer great views of the country's capital that attract trekkers of all ages. With the Han River running through the heart of the city, few can resist the allure of the breathtaking panorama best seen from these local summits. At night, the landscape comes alive, painting a vivid picture of the city in motion that is unlike any other sight during the daytime.

For those looking to escape the ordinary urban experience and immerse themselves in the glittering city lights under the moonlit sky, the Seoul city government has launched a new trekking program on Mount Acha. Open to a limited number of participants, the program has chosen the mountain in eastern Seoul because of its well-known breathtaking view over the city and the river.

Mount Acha Moonlight Trekking takes participants up to a course part of the greater 157-kilometer-long trail that runs around Seoul. This exclusive event, limited to 50 participants at a time, was first held last Friday from 7-10 p.m. and is scheduled again for Friday, Aug. 25.

The city government said it selected the mountain because its popularity is rising especially among the country's MZ generation, those in their teens through to 30s. A female reporter who joined the program's first session said it was “fun talking to others who joined the program during the trekking and watching the awesome city view.”

The mountain is conveniently accessed via Mount Acha subway station on Line No. 5 at its foot in Gwangjin District and several bus routes that crisscross nearby.

Trekking on Mount Acha, however, isn't like a casual stroll through a park as some sections along the course are rocky and a safety hazard at night. The city authority advised hikers to wear hiking boots and bring flashlights.

Participants of the first hike walked in groups of eight or 10 and after hours of trekking reached the 295.7-meter-high summit where they took pictures of the city below and took a breather before commencing the descent. Then they walked down the same way they came up, now each with a commemorative handkerchief given to them by the city government.