Baegaksan’s new 1.32 km southwestern trail opens October 17

Ceremony Oct 16, opening Oct 17

The Korea Heritage Service announced the additional opening on October 14. The public can walk the new section from 09:00 on Saturday, October 17. A ceremony takes place around Changuimun at 15:30 the day before.

The 1.32 km section

The route starts at Dolgorae Rest Area, the first rest stop on the climb from Changuimun toward the summit, and follows the southwestern slope via Manse Dongbang spring to the January 21 Incident Pine. The 1.32 km figure excludes the approach from Changuimun and existing trails.

Four new viewpoint rest areas look toward Inwangsan, Namsan, Cheong Wa Dae and Gyeongbokgung. The official map shows the new path in red and earlier routes in yellow and orange.

A phased opening

Access to Baegaksan was restricted after the January 21, 1968 incident. A 2.2 km northern Seoul City Wall trail opened in 2020, followed by 3.0 km of southeastern woodland in 2022. The southwestern section now links the main trails.

Free entry and trail rules

Baegaksan’s Seoul City Wall trails are free to enter. The Korea Heritage Agency says gate opening and closing controls ended on January 1, 2023.

The trails are unlit, and the operator asks visitors to avoid night use, keep to its seasonal recommended hours and stay away in heavy rain, heavy snow or typhoons. Visitors must stay on designated paths and rest at the rest areas. Smoking, carrying flammable materials and drinking alcohol are prohibited, and photography is allowed only in designated areas.

Getting there

For the Changuimun approach, take Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3, then bus 1020 or 7022 to the Jahamun Pass (자하문고개) stop. The gate’s address is 118 Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

There is no dedicated parking, and the operator recommends public transport. The climb to the entrance and any walking on existing trails add time beyond the new section.

Cheongun Literature Library

Cheongun Literature Library is near Changuimun. Its hanok reading room and pavilion open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00, and close on Mondays, January 1 and the Seollal and Chuseok holidays. The hanok spaces close at 18:00, earlier than the main library.