🗓️ Best Time to Hike in Korea — Season by Season

Korea has four very different hiking seasons. Spring and autumn are the most popular; summer is hot and humid with a rainy season, and winter brings snow and rime ice on the high peaks.

🌸 Spring (March–May)

Azaleas cover the ridges from late March in the south to late April in Seoul; royal azaleas follow in May. Mornings are cold on the summits.

Gwanak-gu, Seoul · 632 mGwanaksan 관악산royal azaleas early–mid May

Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do · 700 mDuryunsan 두륜산cherry blossoms early–mid April

Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do · 1,252 mMyeongjisan 명지산azaleas late April – mid May

Gangbuk-gu, Seoul · 836 mBukhansan 북한산azaleas mid April – early May

Dalseong-gun, Daegu · 1,083 mBiseulsan 비슬산azaleas mid–late April · royal azaleas early–late May

Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do · 1,440 mSobaeksan 소백산royal azaleas late May – early June

Jungnang-gu, Seoul · 357 mYongmasan 용마산azaleas early–mid April

Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do · 1,915 mJirisan 지리산royal azaleas late May – early June

💧 Summer (June–August)

Hot and humid; the monsoon rains (jangma) come from late June to late July. Start early and choose valley trails with streams.

Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do · 1,433 mGayasan 가야산

Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do · 1,241 mGajisan 가지산

Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do · 675 mGamaksan 감악산

Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do · 847 mGyeryongsan 계룡산

Gwanak-gu, Seoul · 632 mGwanaksan 관악산

Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do · 977 mGeumosan 금오산

Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do · 764 mNaejangsan 내장산

Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do · 879 mDaedunsan 대둔산

🍁 Autumn (September–November)

The best season: clear skies, cool air and fall colors from late September (Seoraksan) to mid-November (south). Weekends are very busy.

Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do · 1,241 mGajisan 가지산silver grass early–mid October

Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do · 847 mGyeryongsan 계룡산autumn foliage late October – early November

Geumjeong-gu, Busan · 801 mGeumjeongsan 금정산silver grass mid–late October

Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do · 764 mNaejangsan 내장산autumn foliage late October – mid November

Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do · 700 mDuryunsan 두륜산autumn foliage early–mid November · silver grass mid–late October

Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do · 687 mMaisan 마이산autumn foliage late October – mid November

Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do · 1,252 mMyeongjisan 명지산autumn foliage mid–late October

Jongno-gu, Seoul · 342 mBugaksan 북악산autumn foliage late October – early November

❄️ Winter (December–February)

Snow and rime ice on peaks over 1,000 m. Microspikes (crampons) are essential — many trails are icy even when there is no snow in the city.

Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do · 847 mGyeryongsan 계룡산

Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do · 705 mGeumsan 금산

Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do · 1,252 mMyeongjisan 명지산

1,565 m

Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon · 1,565 mOdaesan 오대산

Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do · 1,915 mJirisan 지리산

Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do · 810 mCheonmasan 천마산

Wonju-si, Gangwon · 1,282 mChiaksan 치악산

Taebaek-si, Gangwon · 1,567 mTaebaeksan 태백산