The 5 Best Treks in South Korea

```html

South Korea is a country that has made trekking a national sport. National parks scattered throughout the country, together with thousands of kilometres of coastline, ensure you're never more than a few dozen kilometres from a trail into nature – not bad at all! The parks are exceptionally well-managed and plenty of information is available online to help you plan your hike perfectly. Every type of walker will find trails suited to their needs, especially when it comes to day walks.

While trekking is hugely popular among Koreans, international walkers remain relatively few and far between: this is perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to choose to explore South Korea on foot, and it will certainly make your journey all the more unique.

Trail signage is exceptionally well done: the various route options and elevation profiles for each section are clearly illustrated. Language is no obstacle: signs are typically in English as well!

It's possible to visit South Korea and walk its parks year-round, though during the height of summer, temperatures – especially at lower elevations – can be extremely high and humidity can be oppressive. In winter, you may have the good fortune to encounter snow, which is quite magical, though in this case proper technical clothing is essential. The Koreans' passion for trekking ensures you can easily find appropriate accessories and clothing locally.

South Korea will soon be hosting the Winter Olympics. With this major event in view, public transport has been greatly improved, particularly railway lines, which will now provide better access to mountain areas that were previously on the periphery.

The larger parks are equipped with mountain shelters and often also have camping areas. The shelters are well-organised: they have heating and provide sheets and blankets for those without their own sleeping bag. For food, however, each walker must fend for themselves: shelters stock instant ramen, boiled rice and snacks, but for everything else you need to bring from home, including a portable stove and gas canister (if needed). Water is available on-site, along with electricity and Wi-Fi. For safety, it's wise to book shelters in advance online.

It's highly inadvisable to try your luck and show up in person, especially during peak season.

Here, then, is a selection of the five best treks in South Korea.

Jeju Olle Trail – Coastal trekking around Jeju Island

The quintessential Korean walking route follows the coastline of Jeju Island, south of the Korean peninsula. It's by far one of the best treks in South Korea: being the most well-known route, it attracts hundreds of walkers each year who choose to complete it in whole or in part. A "passport" available locally lets you keep track of your progress. Those who complete the entire route even receive a prize! Despite its length, the route is not difficult and involves no major elevation changes. The island is famous for its numerous extinct volcanic calderas and stunning coastal vistas.

This is a roughly 400 km circular route. It doesn't have a true starting point, though it's quite natural to begin from Jeju City Airport in the north of the island. A pedestrian path connecting the airport to the main trail (about 3 km) has recently been opened, allowing walkers to rely entirely on their own two feet!

A well-designed website and local association provide invaluable information for planning, especially regarding food and accommodation. The route is clearly marked in both directions.

The Jeju Olle Trail also includes some branch sections inland (to reach extinct craters, for example) and separate sections on small islands off the coast of Jeju. Completing the entire main route (excluding island sections) takes approximately 14 days. If you also want to complete the island sections, allow extra time as boat transfers can be time-consuming.

Not included in the Jeju Olle Trail, but definitely worth considering for a 1-2 day excursion, is Hallasan National Park, named after the peak of the same name (1,950 m, South Korea's highest mountain) that dominates the centre of the island.

➜ All about the Jeju Olle Trail

Seoul Trail – Trekking around Seoul

Koreans are so passionate about trekking that they've created one virtually on the capital's doorstep, accessible even by metro.

The Seoul Trail is a 157 km route that winds through forests and hills surrounding Seoul. Forget urban sprawl: 85 km of the trail is immersed in forest and another 32 km runs along watercourses. Opened in November 2014 and promoted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as both a circular loop and a series of standalone routes, its eight sections are greatly appreciated by locals as day-walk options.

The trail passes Bukhansan (836 m) to the north – the highest peak in the Seoul area – and Dobongsan (739 m). Both peaks are part of Bukhansan National Park, one of the most beloved parks for its wealth of routes and sweeping views over the city below.

The Seoul Trail offers the chance to appreciate Korea's natural beauty while also delving into many cultural and historical aspects: the route reaches numerous sites of great significance including temples, royal tombs and archaeological finds, and it's partly for this reason that the Seoul Trail ranks among South Korea's most interesting treks.

Combining the Seoul Trail (or a portion of it) with a city visit may be the best way to get to know Seoul and learn more from the Korean people!

The trail is well-marked with descriptive signboards, maps, ribbons and directional arrows. Being close to the city, refreshment points and rest stops are easily accessible. Like the Jeju Olle Trail, a stamp system has been introduced at 28 points along the route to be stamped in a special "Seoul Trail Book". Those who complete the entire route can request a certificate (strictly in Korean!).

The Seoul Trail is accessible by metro (Hwarangdae and Gwangnaru stations) and by bus.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government website offers a detailed description of the route.

➜ All about the Seoul Trail

Jirisan Ridge Hike (Jirisan National Park)

The ridge walk leading to Mount Jiri (Jirisan in Korean) is one of the most prized by Korean walkers; few foreign trekkers venture to this part of the country. Jirisan National Park is accessible by bus or car. It's about 4 hours from Seoul.

The goal of the trek is to watch the sunrise from Cheonwangbong (1,915 m, South Korea's second-highest mountain). The entire journey also carries spiritual significance: ancestors believed that Jirisan embodied feminine energy, a sort of Mother Nature, expressed in its rounded, sinuous forms.

Jirisan National Park, the first to be designated a national park in 1967, offers numerous trails within its boundaries for all levels of difficulty. The most interesting trail combination is the Jirisan Ridge Hike, among South Korea's most panoramic treks. It cuts across the park horizontally and allows you to reach Cheonwangbong and from there witness the sunrise.

The route traditionally begins at Hwaumsa Temple and ends, after 59 km, at Daewonsa Temple. As a ridge walk, it involves considerable ups and downs across 16 peaks, all above 1,500 m elevation. For this reason, the trek is quite demanding and represents a sort of "test" even for Koreans.

The Jirisan Ridge Hike is completed in 4 days and 3 nights and offers, in addition to the spectacular sunrise on the morning of the fourth day, so-called "seas of clouds" and a rich variety of local flora. The entire route is dotted with small waterfalls and wonderfully scenic vistas.

The park is equipped with shelters for overnight stays and also has camping spaces. The Jangteomok Shelter on Cheonwangbong Peak is the only one from which you can see the sunrise and therefore often fills up, especially in summer and autumn.

Note: Jirisan National Park is an Asian black bear reintroduction zone. For this reason, it's important to stay on the trail and act with good judgment. Animals rarely approach humans unless provoked.

➜ Official Jirisan National Park website

Daecheongbong Peak Course (Seoraksan National Park)

Seoraksan National Park is a natural park highly frequented by Korean trekkers. Located on the eastern coast of the peninsula to the north, it's accessible by bus from Seoul in about 3 hours. It's famous for autumn colours, a passion across Asia.

Its highest point, Daecheongbong Peak, reaches 1,708 m elevation and is considered one of Korea's most beautiful mountains for its variety of flowers and watercourses. In winter, snow provides a stunning spectacle. Being a relatively high area, it's also pleasant to visit in summer when city humidity becomes unbearable.

The park is traversed by a wide variety of trails allowing multi-day walks supported by marked shelters. Routes are colour-coded according to difficulty level, allowing you to design an itinerary suited to your needs. The most challenging and demanding section is the detour from Biseondae to Madeungryeong Samgeon that returns via Huiungak Shelter: it's called Dinosaur Ridge (just over 8 km in more than 7 hours of walking) and demands considerable care.

Like Jirisan, the Daecheongbong Peak Course aims to catch the sunrise from the park's highest peak and can be completed in 2 days.

The trek begins at the park entrance (Seoraksan Information Center). The first day involves reaching Juncheong Shelter, about 10.5 km from the start (approximately 6 hours' walk) and 500 m from the summit. The route is of moderate difficulty, especially initially, though the final section is more rugged. The second day begins with sunrise from Daecheongbong, a truly spectacular experience: with perfect weather conditions, you can even glimpse the ocean in the distance!

From here, you have two options: descend to Namseorak Information Center to the south along a moderately difficult route (5 km in 4 hours) or take a simpler path (except for a short section after Socheong Shelter) that's longer and leads to Baekdam Visitor Center to the west (13.5 km in 6h30').

➜ Official Seoraksan National Park website

Hyangjeokbong Hike (Deogyusan National Park)

Deogyusan National Park is located in the south-western quadrant of the South Korean peninsula. Established in 1975, it encompasses five peaks over 1,330 m. It's an area rich in temples and therefore of considerable cultural importance. The most significant site is Mujuguchon-dong, a valley between Najetong Gate and Baekryeonsa Temple. The park also has ski lifts and a resort that's very busy during the ski season.

Many visit the park in spring and autumn for the blooming of azaleas and daylilies respectively. The park is accessible year-round, with particular crowds in winter. The nearest train station is Yeongdong, 3 hours from Busan. From Seoul, it's reachable by bus in approximately 4 hours.

Two shelters within the park enable multi-day excursions to be organised. As with other Korean shelters, advance booking is necessary.

The Hyangjeokbong Hike is undoubtedly one of South Korea's most beautiful treks for its landscapes. Lasting 2 days, it aims to catch the sunrise from Hyangjeokbong Peak (1,614 m) over a total distance of 27 km.

The first day begins at Deogyusan National Park Office; after passing Baekryeonsa Temple, the section's goal is Hyangjeokbong Shelter. The shelter is just a hundred metres from the summit, a feature that makes it perfect for enjoying the sunrise on the morning of the second day.

The second day involves descending via minor peaks and arriving, after 15 km, at Youngkak Park Ranger Post to the south of the park. Those wishing to stay longer can plan a second night at Satgatgoljae Shelter (the second section thus divides into two stages of 8.4 km and 6.6 km respectively).

➜ Official Deogyusan National Park website

```