Why NOW picked itA fit if you want to hike Seoul's autumn mountains with a guide. Foreign visitors are reported to borrow gear free at the centers, so bring shoes; sign-ups open week by week on the Linktree, so check there first.
Seoul's autumn Hiking Week runs for three weeks from Oct. 26, moving from Mount Gwanak to Mount Bukhan to Mount Bugak with a different set of guided hikes each week. International visitors can borrow hiking gear free of charge at the Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers, according to the Korea Times.
Week 1: Gwanaksan, plus a Halloween hike on Namsan
Oct. 26 to Nov. 1 is based on Mount Gwanak: a pine-forest trek on Mount Hoam, a healing hike to Sammak Temple and an advanced climb to Yeonjudae Peak.
On Oct. 31 there is a costumed Halloween hike around Mount Nam. Bring your own costume, or pick up temporary tattoos, glow bracelets and hats at the booths on site.
Week 2: Bukhansan, with yoga after a temple stop
Nov. 2 to 8 moves to Mount Bukhan. The line-up includes an east-to-west traverse, a climb to Baegundae Peak, a visit to Wontong Temple followed by yoga, and a sunrise hike on Mount Dobong.
Week 3: Bugaksan and a lantern-lit night hike on the City Wall
Nov. 9 to 15 centres on Mount Bugak. There is a trail walk from Seoul Forest to Mount Nam, meditation on Mount An and a hike up Mount Inwang. The finale is a night hike along the Seoul City Wall with traditional lanterns.
Programmes are grouped under four themes: Extreme, Wellness, Signature and Night.
Signing up and borrowing gear
Sign-up goes through the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center Linktree (linktr.ee/seoulhikingcenter), which links separate forms for the Gwanaksan and Bukhansan weeks. As of Oct. 20, Week 1 was open and later weeks open in sequence. Programme fees are not stated.
Visitors from abroad can rent gear free of charge at any of the three centers, per the Korea Times: Bukhansan (Gangbuk-gu), Bugaksan (Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu) and Gwanaksan (inside Gwanaksan Station). They open 09:00-18:00 and close on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively. The centers say mountain guides are available in English, Japanese and other languages.
A granite summit seen from Baegundae Peak in Bukhansan National Park (January 2017, winter; not a photo of the event). Lcarrion88 / CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons
