[Editor’s Note: Welcome back to our “Destination Dirt” series! In this article, guest contributor Kyle Fulmer offers an introduction to trail running in Seoul, South Korea. If you live anywhere in the world with good trail running and would like to write a “Destination Dirt” article about it, we’d love to hear from you!]
Seoul, South Korea, with a population of nearly 9.6 million people, may not seem like a place that is home to high-quality trail running, but that would be an incorrect assumption. When I was teaching in South Korea for 16 months in 2006 and 2007, while not a runner — or a serious hiker for that matter — I was struck by the proximity of rugged mountain terrain close to the urban density of Seoul. Korea itself is quite mountainous and hilly, with only 30% of the land area actually flat. Buildings and city streets are often built steeply into the hillsides.
Over the past few trips in 2018, 2023, and 2025 — now as a runner — I have had some incredible experiences on the country’s trails. I wanted to share a little bit of what I have found in hopes that others visiting the area might have a primer and potentially encourage others to visit this culturally rich nation.
The author, Kyle Fulmer, pleased to arrive at Munsubong summit. All photos courtesy of Kyle Fulmer.
Eating and drinking are major components of South Korea’s social fabric. It is not uncommon to see elaborate picnic setups on the side of the trail as groups take breaks, or to see full restaurants just past the exit of any trail system full of hikers reveling in their accomplishments of the day. That being said, trails on the weekends will be crowded, while they tend to be relatively empty during the week.
This Foreigner’s Incomplete Guide to Running in Seoul, South Korea is not meant to be a comprehensive guide or a complete overview of running in Seoul, but rather a summary of some of the best trails, paths, mountain retreats, and urban courses I’ve found over the past 20 years of visiting South Korea’s capital city.
Bukhansan National Park
Bukhansan National Park, which borders Seoul to the north, is easily accessible via subway, bus, or taxi for daily excursions. Overnight trips are not especially common in Korea, and most trail sections can be done in a single day. However, be warned, due to the very technical nature of the South Korean trails, running and hiking speeds in this area will be slow. Most trails head straight up the mountain, nary a switchback to be found, and often are supported with hundreds of manmade stairs or rock steps. Traversing up, down, or across sheer granite slabs and domes is not uncommon. Although the summit elevations might not be considered high in absolute terms, their prominence from sea level is formidable, and oftentimes, they rise up in a very short distance!
Baegundae and Insubong
- Distance: Variable
- Trailhead Option: Section 2 of Bukhansan Dullegil, take Village Bus #1 from Suyu Subway Station
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: Baegundae is the most prominent peak visible when looking north into Bukhansan National Park while in Seoul. While Insubong is a neighboring granite dome, and extremely popular with trad and sport climbers in the area, you can’t actually summit it without proper climbing gear. Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, established climbs on Insubong when he visited the country in the early 1960s. While not being able to summit Insubong as a trail runner, traversing next to the granite dome is still a thrill! The summit push to Baegundae is top-notch and offers expansive views of Seoul.
Granite domes abound in Bukhansan National Park north of the city.
Jokduribong and Hyangnobong
- Distance: Jokduribong is three-quarters of a mile straight up from the Bulgwangsa Temple trailhead, with 800 feet of climbing. Hyangnobong is in very close proximity, with a few hundred feet more climbing, and some excellent ridge running in between.
- Trailhead Option: Bulgwangsa Temple
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: One of the coolest things about being in Seoul is that when looking to the north of the city, there are several prominent granite domes sticking out above the skyline on the horizon. While not the most prominent peak on the west side of Bukhansan National Park, Jokduribong stands out as a must-bag high point. The final scramble up to Jokduribong is on a steep granite slab with some steps cut into the rock for added security. Make sure to have some shoes with decent tread and sticky rubber. The first time I went up was in road shoes during a rainstorm. Not a good idea.
View from the Jokduribong summit. Many routes go straight up from the city.
Bibong and Munsubong
- Distance: Plan for an eight- to 10-mile day, with constant checks of the map or GPS
- Trailhead Option: Bulgwangsa Temple or Gugi-Dong Trailhead
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: Get ready for some climbing and scrambling in this area! The trail to the summit of Bibong gains about 1,600 feet in two miles from the Bulgwangsa Temple trailhead. Munsubong is another 700 feet of climbing in a couple more miles; however, most of the climbing comes in the last third of a mile to the peak on a 30% to 40% slope all the way up! The old Gate of Seoul is found at the top of the climb. One of the unique features of this route can be found by heading down via the Gugi-Dong trailhead. On the way down, you will pass a trail sign for Inwangsa Temple. The trip up to the temple is well worth the additional 700 feet of climbing. Once there, you will find a temple first built in 1100, with one of the temple halls built literally into the mountainside.
View of Jokduribong Peak from Munsubong Peak.
Urban Options
Yeouido
- Distance: Yeouido Island’s circumference and route around it are about five miles.
- Trailhead Options: Yeouido Hangang Park. I ran over from the Mapo-gu subway station across the bridge. There is also a Yeouido subway station.
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: This is an urban running and cycling path. If running through the alleys and side streets of Seoul isn’t for you, then the general tranquility of the endless Han River bike paths may be. Yeouido is a small island on the Gangnam side of the Han River. The path around the island is particularly inviting, as the entire route is car-free and lined with waterways. It is frequented by herons and other bird species. We were lucky enough to be there during cherry blossom season in early April, and the path was stunning and peaceful.
Achasan
- Distance: Depending on the route, it’s about two miles to Achasan summit from the subway, and there are numerous ways to get back down.
- Trailhead Option: Achasan subway station
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: This is a fun one, and very close to central Seoul! Also, the famous Goodrunner running store is pretty close by. The Achasan summit is about a 900-foot climb from the subway exit. The route features great vistas and offers ample opportunities to hit the many outdoor circuit training gyms of Seoul. The routes on the peak feature quite a few stairs and stretches of bare granite.
Very little of the land surrounding Seoul is flat.
Seoul Tower on Namsan
- Distance: One mile, with various options to extend the run.
- Trailhead: Namsan Trailhead
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: There are several trails around Namsan Mountain, which is the home of the Seoul Tower, a communications tower that creates a stunning silhouette against the sky. Run up there, get a coffee at the gift shop, take a picture of the tower, and take one of the choose-your-own-adventure trails back into the heart of the city!
Running Clubs
The Lowest Mountain Running Club
- Instagram: @the_lowest_mountain
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: The Lowest Mountain Running Club is hosted by the up-and-coming Korean trail running brand, Cayl. This group runs a 5.7-mile route with roughly 1,500 feet of gain. They usually meet every few weeks. Runs are posted to their Instagram page, and the pace is swift! Expect to work hard, then regroup at the Cayl store for some Coca-Cola and other refreshments. Bring a headlamp as this run can end well after dark.
Lowest Mountain Running Club regroups during a night run.
Private Trail Running Club
- Instagram: @privatetrail
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: Private Trail is the trail division of the popular Private Road Running Club in Seoul. They host a weekly run starting from a different location in Seoul each week. The pace is welcoming, and so is the group. Expect lots of encouragement and friendly faces along the way. Bring a headlamp for runs that end after dark.
The Private Trail Run Club is an offshoot of the popular Private Road Running Club.
Off the Mainland
Hallasan on Jeju Island
- Distance: 5.5 miles to the top, with almost 4,500 feet of climbing!
- Trailhead Option: Main trailhead off of Sallokbuk-Ro Road
- Sample Strava Route
- Description: Simply put, Hallasan is a must-do for any trail runner lucky enough to visit Jeju Island. Jeju, often referred to as Korea’s Hawaii, is truly a paradise and ecological wonder. An island featuring volcanic rock, tangerine farms, tropical forests, waterfalls, and tuff cones, its beauty is tough to match. The climb to the top of Hallasan, which is the highest peak in South Korea, is challenging, but the payoff is well worth it! Along the way, you are treated to views of granite cliffs and domes, as well as big views into the valleys surrounding the mountain. At the top, the summit view is spectacular with a seasonal lake in the crater.
A view of the summit crater lake of Hallasan on Jeju Island.
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit South Korea if trail running is on your itinerary, with April and May being the prime months. By this time, the winter thaw is done and spring is in the air! If you get lucky in early April, you might even catch the cherry blossoms blooming, but they don’t last long! Equal in beauty is the fall season in October and November. The moderate temperatures and crisp mornings are enhanced by the turning leaves of the trees lining the streets of Seoul, and pockets of crimson and gold highlight the surrounding mountainsides.
Summer tends to be very hot and stiflingly humid, and the monsoon season of late summer can bring powerful storms and a lot of moisture
Best Coffee in Town
With four locations in Seoul and one on Jeju Island, Fritz Coffee is a must-visit for any runner visiting the Seoul metropolitan area. Featuring a motto of “For Running, Bread and Coffee,” Fritz Coffee sells tech tees, socks, and caps — all branded with Fritz’s famous running seals. The coffee and house-made breads and pastries are exceptional, as well! They specialize in pour-over coffee drinks, and bread is brought out fresh throughout the day. Check out the positive vibes they are pouring on their Instagram page.
What’s Next?
I climbed the 5,604-foot Seoraksan Mountain in flip-flops back in 2007, well before I owned running shoes or cared about my feet or safety. I’d like to go back and give the mountain a proper push, as it is very near Gangneung, a lovely seaside town on the east side of the Korean peninsula. I’d also love to tour Jirisan, the tallest mountain in mainland South Korea, second only to Hallasan on Jeju Island. Jirisan is in the southern part of the country and features many multi-day adventures and treks, one of the most famous being the Hwadae Traverse, a 42-kilometer trail from Hwaeomsa Temple to Daewonsa Temple.
Having family in South Korea guarantees a return trip, and I have already requested a week in the vicinity of Jirisan on our next trip to the country. Thanks for reading. I hope you get to enjoy the unique beauty and challenge of running the trails of South Korea!
Night running in Seoul, with the city lights below.
Call for Comments
- Have you had a chance to run in South Korea?
- Have you found spectacular running in any other seemingly unlikely places?
