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Bukhansan Hiking Guide 북한산

Bukhansan (북한산) is an 836 m mountain in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of Korea’s 100 Famous Mountains chosen by the Korea Forest Service. Best known for azaleas, valleys and waterfalls, rocky ridges.

Bukhansan mountain, Korea — Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1 (attribution)

836 mHeight

ModerateDifficulty (approx.)

4 h 20 minShortest trail

−5.0°CSummit vs. base

🧭 Seoul Hiking Tourism Center: Seoul runs a center for foreign hikers near the Bukhansan trailhead — hiking gear and clothing rental, lockers, changing rooms and trail information in English. Check the opening hours before you go.

🚇 Getting there by subway

Bukhansan Ui Station (북한산우이역) — about 1.7 km to the summit (straight line)
Solbat Park Station (솔밭공원역) — about 1.8 km to the summit (straight line)
Suyu Station (수유역) — about 3.8 km to the summit (straight line) · mentioned in the official access guide
Gireum Station (길음역) — about 7.0 km to the summit (straight line) · mentioned in the official access guide

Distances are straight-line from the station to the summit; the walk to the trailhead is longer. Search the station name plus the mountain name in Naver Map or KakaoMap for walking directions — they work much better than Google Maps in Korea.

🥾 Bukhansan hiking trails

Gugidong (구기동) → Ibuk5docheong (이북5도청) → Geumseonsa (금선사) → Hyangnobong (향로봉) → Bibong (비봉) → Seunggabong (승가봉) → Munsubong (문수봉) → Daenammun (대남문) → Gugidong (구기동) 4 h 20 min
Uidong (우이동) → Doseonsa (도선사) → Harujae (하루재) → Baegunsanjang (백운산장) → Wimun (위문) → Baegundae (백운대) → Wimun (위문) → Yongammun (용암문) → Taegosa (태고사) → Daeseomun (대서문) → Bukhan Fortress Ticket Office (북한산성 매표소) 4 h 30 min
Bukhan Fortress Ticket Office (북한산성 매표소) → Wimun (위문) → Yongammun (용암문) → Daedongmun (대동문) → Daeseongmun (대성문) → Daenammun (대남문) → Gasadangammun (가사당암문) → Bukhan Fortress Ticket Office (북한산성 매표소) 7 h

Times are from the Korea Forest Service and include short breaks. If you are new to hiking, plan for 1.3–1.5× longer. Korean names are in brackets so you can match them to trail signs.

🗓️ Best time to visit Bukhansan

What	Usual peak (estimate)
🌸 Azaleas	mid April – early May

Estimated from Korea Meteorological Administration long-term averages, adjusted for the mountain’s latitude and height. Actual dates can shift 1–2 weeks each year.

🌅 Sunrise & sunset by month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sunrise	07:46	07:23	06:45	05:58	05:23	05:10	05:22	05:47	06:13	06:39	07:11	07:40
Sunset	17:35	18:10	18:38	19:06	19:33	19:55	19:54	19:27	18:42	17:56	17:22	17:15

Around the 15th of each month, Korea Standard Time. Be off the mountain at least an hour before sunset.

🗺️ Maps

Naver Map · KakaoMap · Google Maps

⛰️ Other mountains nearby

Nowon-gu, Seoul · 641 mSuraksan 수락산

Gwanak-gu, Seoul · 632 mGwanaksan 관악산

Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 293 mDaemosan 대모산

Jongno-gu, Seoul · 342 mBugaksan 북악산

Nowon-gu, Seoul · 510 mBuramsan 불암산

554 m

Gwanak-gu, Seoul · 554 mSamseongsan 삼성산

🙇 Hiking etiquette in Korea

Greet other hikers with a short “annyeonghaseyo” — it’s common on the trail.
Keep to the marked trail; many areas are closed for nature protection (fines apply in national parks).
Cooking, smoking and drinking are banned in national parks. Take your trash home.
Read more: Hiking etiquette in Korea

🇰🇷 한국어로 보기 (북한산 등산코스)

Data: Korea Forest Service (data.go.kr) · 100 Famous Mountains: Korea Forest Service · Locations: © OpenStreetMap contributors