Heading for easy, fun mountains… ‘K-hiking’ captivates foreign visitors - 경향신문

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‘Traveling like a local’ has solidified into a trend, and the mountains in central Seoul have begun to appear in earnest on the itineraries of foreign travelers. Provided by Seoul Tourism Organization

“There are intriguing exercise machines on mountains in Korea. (The side-to-side swaying) looks strange, but it is really fun. Aunts and uncles I have never met sometimes wave and say hello (laughs).”

This is part of ‘Hiking in Korea’, content that global creator Davis Robin posted on his social media. He said, “If you want to enjoy outdoor activities in Korea, there is nothing as good as hiking,” sharing the unique appeal of mountains in Korea with viewers around the world.

As ‘traveling like a local’ has become a trend, the mountains in central Seoul have started to appear in earnest on foreign travelers’ itineraries. They are enjoying Seoul’s mountains in a way different from existing sightseeing courses, through ‘short but intense experiences’.

Most mountains in Seoul nestle within daily life between residential and commercial areas, so you can reach the trailheads 1015 minutes after getting off the subway and slip straight back into the city’s routine after coming down. Provided by Seoul Tourism Organization

Sara Miller (29) of the United States, who visited Seoul last fall, picked her hike on Bukaksan as the most impressive moment of her trip. She recalled, “As I walked along the fortress wall path, the city suddenly unfolded before my eyes,” and, “It felt uncanny to be in nature yet inside the city. I could feel with my whole body the distinctive structure and rhythm of Seoul, spanning from past to present.”

The appeal goes beyond simply getting closer to nature. Most mountains in Seoul sit as nature within living spheres layered between residential and commercial districts, so you can reach a trailhead in 1015 minutes after getting off the subway, and return immediately to everyday city life after the descent. Thanks to this, Seoul’s mountains are not destinations that require clearing a whole day; they are perfectly viable for a morning itinerary. This naturally aligns with the current travel trend of the ‘micro-adventure (micro-adventure)’, a short exploration close at hand.

Seoul’s mountain trails are easy to reach by public transportation, and you do not need to make a full loop back to the starting point, so even beginners can try them with ease. Provided by Seoul Tourism Organization

Climbing Seoul’s mountains reveals another side of the city. Varied terrain and sweeping views are among their key attractions. Provided by Seoul Tourism Organization

French traveler Clement Dubois (31) said, “In Europe, you usually need to drive out of town to hike, and the travel time often eats up the day. In Seoul, though, public transport alone gets you to almost any trailhead. It is a distinctly different experience even compared with Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris.” He added, “Hiking for a couple of hours, then coming back down and moving on to a different cityscape was a perfect experience that filled the gaps between attractions. I could directly sense how the city and nature, people and spaces, coexist.”

The narrow alleys, old hanok, stairways, and fortress-wall paths you encounter on the way up offer something different. Mika Sato (28) of Japan said, “I took in a time and space where the city’s histories intersect. I also liked that you can come down midway according to your stamina,” adding, “The courses are clear, and people move in a steady flow, so the risk feels low. It is ideal for solo travelers in their 20s~30s.”

Seoul’s mountain appeal shows clearly on social media as well. Instagram Reels and TikTok are filled with hiking clips tagged #seoulhiking and #seoulhikingtourism, often with captions in English, French, and Southeast Asian languages.

Seoul’s mountain appeal shows clearly on social media as well. Instagram Reels and TikTok steadily feature hiking videos with hashtags like #seoulhiking and #seoulhikingtourism, accompanied by subtitles in English, French, and Southeast Asian languages. Gentle encounters with friendly Koreans on the trail, and small moments like tasting K-gimbap at the summit, are helping position Seoul’s mountains not as ‘a challenge’ but as ‘a space for experience’ that anyone can choose.

Seasonal changes and diverse scenery also add to their value. In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh light-green leaves color the forest; in summer, cool streams and shade accompany the paths. Autumn brings foliage and crisp views, while in winter, snowy landscapes and nighttime cityscapes change the mountain’s mood. The same mountain can reveal a completely different Seoul each season, naturally inviting return visits.

Culinar pleasures after the hike complete the appeal. Restaurants, cafes, and markets you reach immediately upon descent extend hiking from a single event into part of a day’s living flow. Many say that time spent at a neighborhood gukbap place or cafe after coming down lingers longer in memory than photos taken at the summit. This is why hiking is cited among the must-do experiences when visiting Seoul.

Launched at Bukhansan in 2022 and expanded to Bukaksan and Gwanaksan, the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center rents essential gear such as hiking boots, poles, crampons, and backpacks at reasonable cost, and runs free guided hikes. Provided by Seoul Tourism Organization

Well-organized services have played a major role in elevating satisfaction with Seoul’s mountains, where nature and city, culture and history intersect. Launched at Bukhansan in 2022 and expanded to Bukaksan and Gwanaksan, the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center rents basic equipment such as hiking boots, poles, crampons, and backpacks at reasonable cost, and offers free guided hiking programs. With guidance available in English and Japanese and detailed course explanations, foreign visitors can take on the trails with minimal burden from language or gear issues.

In 2025, of the 101,290 domestic and foreign visitors to the center, 18.5% were foreigners, and 98.31% of them said they were very satisfied. Beyond simple convenience, a ‘structure that lets you try it’ has enabled active participation and immersive experiences for travelers. James Lee (34) of Australia said, “I ended up hiking unexpectedly during my trip, but getting the right shoes rented and having the course difficulty explained in detail eased the burden. It felt like I briefly borrowed a day in the life of a Seoul local.”

Daniele, a travel influencer who favors Korean mountains, recommended the ‘Seoul Dulle-gil 2.0’ course. It is convenient because you can split it into sections and walk over several days, and fun features like a stamp book increase satisfaction.

Seoul plans to use these services not merely as conveniences but as core resources in its urban tourism strategy. A Seoul Tourism Organization official said, “Based on four years of operational data, we plan to provide hiking guidance tailored to tourists,” adding, “Beyond well-known routes such as Bukhansan·Inwangsan, we will gradually turn less-known neighborhood mountains into tourism resources.” The official continued, “Through themed programs such as sunrise hikes and night hikes, we are preparing to let visitors experience Seoul’s unique sense of time and atmosphere beyond simple hiking.”