My friend Niall (Seoul City Outdoors) introduced me on a new route over Bukhansan called Haegobawi rock. This post is a solo trip I did about a year later, but I’ve included photos from other trips I’ve done with Niall and Ryan.

To get here, you take the blue 704 bus from Bulgwang Station in Seoul to Hyoja 2-dong bus stop on the west side of Bukhansan national park. From there, head east following my AllTrails recording. On the way I saw a novel way of placing stones on rocks; balanced on the sides of a larger rock and some on top. I don’t know why people do this but it looks interesting.

At the start of the main peak there were a few people eating and three or four inquisitive cats.

There are great views from this point, but the best part is further up where the mountain just sort of soars up suddenly, like a knife. It looks quite daunting thinking you have to go up it, but once you’re on it, it feels safe enough; just be careful!

There are lots of interesting rock formations and nice selection of options to go up and along the ridge before you head down. The route can be a bit challenging if you go one way rather than another. I’ve tried a few ways; one goes right on the right-hand edge on a cliff. Just watch your step! Getting down can be tricky; it’s very steep and will require you to hold on tightly to the handrails if you’re a nervous with hights like me! You descend into a narrow valley and to a three-way intersection. Here you can go back west through a valley; pleasant in the autumn. The other route takes you directly up towards the entrance to Baegundae. This hike up is quite hard going but not technically difficult.

I opted not to go to Baegundae peak, and instead followed a new trail south. The route starts west, then south from the Baegundae intersection and stone gate. At the Baegundae intersection, I went west, through a gate, then down and then went south at a fork almost immediately after.

The rest of the hike was easy going and relaxing. Looking back at Baegundae is always fun; sometimes there are rock climbers clinging to the rocks. You can always see hikers walking along the wall section that leads to the peak. For photos of this though, you’d need some decent lenses.

It’s a good, moderate to challenging route that you can easily extend or cut to a shortish loop. It’s also relatively less trafficked especially during the week. I thoroughly recommend it.

AllTrials route recording: Hyoja 2-dong, Haegolbawi rock, Baegundae intersection, Yongambong, Sanyeongru Pavilion, Bukhansanseong. entrance: