Hikers sit on a rock at Baegundae Peak of Mount Bukhan in Seoul, Feb. 26. Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

Minutes after stepping off the subway, visitors in Seoul can find themselves climbing toward mountain vistas high above the capital. In few other capitals can hikers leave a downtown train and begin an ascent almost immediately — a convenience officials say has helped turn “K-hiking” into a travel essential alongside Korean food and K-pop.

The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) has spotlighted four trails on Mount Bukhan, Mount Gwanak, Mount Nam and Mount Acha as must-visit routes this spring, citing their easy access, gear rentals and scenery that layers granite peaks with skyscrapers, royal palaces and the Han River.

At the city-run Seoul Hiking Tourism Center sites near Mount Bukhan, Mount Bugak and Mount Gwanak, visitors can rent boots, clothing and trekking poles for a small fee, get trail information in four languages and store their belongings in lockers before setting out.

The Seoul Hiking Tourism Center near Mount Bukhan in Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

Mount Bukhan, home to the popular Baegundae Peak course, remains the centerpiece, offering a steep but manageable two-hour climb that rewards even novice hikers with sweeping views of northern Seoul, ringed by a chain of mountains and high-rise skylines.

Mount Gwanak, with its cliff-hugging Yeonju-dae hermitage and dramatic granite ridges rising from the city’s southwest, offers one of Seoul’s most thrilling summit views over the southern districts and the Han River.

Mount Nam in the city’s heart has become a pop culture landmark after it was featured in the hit Netflix animation “KPop Demon Hunters.” A newly opened barrier-free deck trail on the mountain allows wheelchairs and families with strollers to reach the summit and its 360-degree cityscape.

Mount Acha, with its lower elevation and gentler slopes, offers sunrise and sunset lookouts over the Han River and Lotte World Tower, attracting younger hikers and first-timers who come for short treks and photo-ready views.

A nighttime view from the Sunrise Observatory in Mount Acha, Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

Source: Korea Times News