Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kynan]

I just arrived in Seoul a week ago. Our school's summer vacation begins July 28. I have 9 days and I'd like to get out of the city and do some hiking and camping in one of the beautiful places that I won't be able to explore the rest of the year.

Suggestions please!

Also would be glad to have a partner if you're interested. I'm a nice guy and love the outdoors.
Also looking for a tent if you have one to lend or sell.

Thanks everyone,
Kynan

[sojourner1]

I understand places such as Soraksen in Gangwando province east of Seoul are good for hiking and camping which is where I am looking to go on vacation in a week as well. http://npa.or.kr/sorak/eng/main.htm

I am in the southern part of the country near Busan and planning on going to Seoul first for a few days and then out to Gangwando for a few days. I have never gone out to Gangwando, but have some information on all of Koreas parks in English.

http://english.knps.or.kr/

[ella]

Considering the congestion on many of trails that time of year, you might want to consider doing some night hiking.

[jlb]

Jirisan. You can do a 4 day backpacking adventure along the ridge, staying at the huts. Good times!

[Tony_Balony]

The wilderness areas in Korea are gone. Go to Russia on the ferry. $500 fare includes visa fees. Plenty of everything in Siberia and Mongolia.

If you want to stay in korea, now is a bad time. I can recommend the Chiaksan(Wonju) and the mountins near Sokcho.

[crash bang]

I've been hiking in Wolchul-san near Mokpo and Mudeung-san near Gwangju. I'm fairly new here, but plan to go hiking most weekends. I don't have any camping gear here, but one of these days I'll get around to having it sent to me. If you're interested in getting together for a hike, my email is [email protected]

[crash bang]

anyone know if the jiri-san huts are open in the winter? i'd like to do some hut-hopping during the new year thingy

[jlb]

They might be. Try phoning (area code for province) + 1330 and they can point you in the right direction.

[crash bang]

i'll do that when i get desperate. the tourist info line hasnt been much help to me lately

[Stormy]

I'm not in Korea yet but when I do get there, want to do some hiking & camping. Is camping equipment relatively easy to buy there?
I'm trying to decide whether to bring a hiking tent with me or not. If I can replace it there I'll use the room in my bag for something else.

[huffdaddy]

[jlb]

Yes, you can camp in Korea. However, it's more the drive-in car-camping variety in a big group. You won't really find any backpacking into camp sites as such. All the backpacking you can do is to huts that are mandatory to stay at.

I brought my tent but have really only used it in other countries...like camping on the Great Wall and whatever.

I'd say don't bother with the tent...you can always pick up something on the cheap at Lotte Mart if need be.

[VanIslander]

If you wanna take a 3-day hike through Jiri-san National Park then the nearby city of Jinju has tons of stores downtown for all your hiking and camping needs. They even have an XLarge North Face clothing store! Just head downtown and there will be a couple dozen stores of gear.

In general, it's easy to find hiking and camping gear in Korea because it is one hobby that many Koreans like to do and like to do right: all the bells and whistles and complete equipment, no cutting corners. When Koreans do something, they go to extreme, all suited up.

[Stormy]

Fabulous....I will definitely leave the tent at home then & bring other goodies in its place! Thanks very much for the info, deciding what to pack is proving pretty bloody difficult and every bit of info helps.

[huffdaddy]