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KoreaClear · Seoul · Seongbuk-gu · Jongno-gu · Seoul Trail

Seoul Trail Route 19: Bukhansan Mountain (Seongbuk)

A medium route from the Hyeongjebong Peak entrance through forest on the east side of Bukhansan, past the White Cloud Observatory, to the Hwagyesa Temple entrance. Its theme is “a quiet forest path for reflection”; it is mostly forest, with temples along the way for a rest.

Hwagyesa Temple
Hwagyesa Temple · 2007 · Martin Röll · 2007 · CC BY-SA 2.0

Difficulty · Official Seoul Trail rating

Medium

Official Seoul Trail rating: level 2 of 3

Rating systems differ between pages. An official grade follows the operator’s own scale, so an “easy” route can still take over three hours. Compare routes by walking time and distance as well. Getting to and from stations is described separately in each route.

1. Bukhansan Mountain (Seongbuk) route

From Hyeongjebong Peak Entrance to Hwagyesa Temple Entrance: 6 km past 6 stops.

Difficulty
Medium
Walking time
About 2 hr 50 min
Distance
6 km
Area
Seongbuk-gu · Jongno-gu
Official route page (Korean) ↗

Official Seoul Trail information · from the start of the route to its end

Route order

On smaller screens, scroll sideways

  1. 1Hyeongjebong Peak Entrance

    형제봉 입구

    Start
  2. 2Bukhansan National Park Jeongneung Visitor Center

    북한산 정릉탐방지원센터

  3. 3Seongbuk Eco Experience Center

    성북생태체험관

  4. 4Ppallaegol Valley

    빨래골

  5. 5Huingureum (White Cloud) Observatory

    흰구름전망대

  6. 6Hwagyesa Temple Entrance

    화계사 입구

    Finish

Getting to the start

From Gireum Station (Line 4) Exit 3, take a bus to the start of the route (Hyeongjebong Peak Entrance) (official information). Check the bus route on the official route page or a map app.

NAVER Map ↗

Getting back

The route ends at Hwagyesa Temple Entrance. The official finishing station is Hwagye Station (Ui-Sinseol Line) Exit 1. Route 20 (Bukhansan Mountain (Gangbuk)) continues from this station.

Good to know

  • Stamp boxes: the Hyeongjebong Peak entrance and the Hwagyesa Iljumun Gate. They are outdoors and the ink can dry out, so bring your own ink pad (official advice).
  • As a medium route it includes mountain paths. Wear shoes with good grip and carry water (KoreaClear advice).
  • The route passes Bukhansan Dulle-gil Sections 5 (Myeongsang-gil), 4 (Solsaem-gil) and 3 (Huingureum-gil) (official information).
  • From the three-storey White Cloud Observatory you can see Bukhansan, Dobongsan, Suraksan, Buramsan and other mountains in northeast Seoul (official information).
  • There is no subway station at the start, so take a bus from Gireum Station (Line 4).

About the Seoul Trail

  • The Seoul Trail is a walking trail around Seoul: 21 routes, 156.5 km in total.
  • Parts of a route are sometimes detoured for events or construction. Check the official notices before you go.
  • Stamp books are handed out at Seoul Trail Information Centers and a few other places. They may run out, so call ahead (official advice).
  • Enquiries: Seoul Trail Information Center, +82-2-779-7902 to 7904
Seoul Trail notices (detours, Korean) ↗