Korean Job Discussion Forums

War Eagle · Joined: 15 Feb 2009

I am looking for some advice on a couple of good hiking/camping spots/trails not too far from Seoul.

I have 2 trips planned. One with my buddy where we want to go for 3 days/2 nights, good hiking, tent camping in the wilderness, really roughing it type of stuff. Willing to travel 2-3 hours max by bus/train.

The other will be with my girlfirend who only wants to go on a 2 day/1 night trip, easy hiking, still camp in a tent, but with "facilities" near by. I would prefer this one to be a little closer to Seoul since it is a short trip.

Any advice? Links to maps or detailed information is greatly appreciated. I am new to hiking in Korea.

Old Gil · Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Location: Got out! olleh!

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

Wilderness and Korea in the same sentence just doesn't look right.

Chiaksan is OK, but if you're fit, walking over the peak and over to the other side is only half a day.

The wildest place I've come across would have to be Jirisan, there is a good trail right through the entire park, but no wild camping. They love giving out big fines for illegal camping.

Cop this for a great website

http://koreaclimbs.blogspot.com/

McGenghis · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Gangneung

I recommend Odaesan for the bigger hike. It's like Seoraksan's smaller brother, with correspondingly smaller crowds. Mods eat it, I even saw a deer there once.

Take the East Seoul bus to Gangneung, and from there take the 304 or 303 (northbound) to the mountain entrance. Say 'so-geum-gang' if you are confused, or if you want to sound like an old salty pro. Sogeumgang is the Eastern entrance to Odaesan park, and is a hoppin' little place replete with dong dong ju, pajeon, and bibimbap goodness. It's a mild 6 km hike to the base of Noinbong, and then another 2km to the peak that rises about 1340 meters above the East Sea of Sticky Naming Issues. It's going to take you about 4 hours (at a long-legged Canuck's pace) to get to the top, where there is a decent shelter. From there, you can connect to the rest of the park.

It's a fine park, and one that I recommend before Seoraksan if only because of its relative obscurity.

Trinidad · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Location: Seoul

You could try circumnavigating Deokjeokdo off the coast of Incheon.
That would take at least 2-3 days and it is RUGGED and SECLUDED.

I have done a few beach to beach hikes on the island. I would
recommend bringing a small dingy for the more impassable obstacles.

Warning: Unless you know what you are doing, I would stick to
something easier. But it is incredible beautiful. BEACH CAMPING!

War Eagle · Joined: 15 Feb 2009

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

All the camping I found in the mountains was near the huts. There are some campsites on the flats but I don't think that is what you're after.

If anyone knows a good wildernessish spot, please let us know! (but I seriously doubt that).

Gotta face facts, there are 50 odd million people living here and things have got to be regulated. I found the same thing hiking in Japan, many don't do's. Speaking of Japan, if you ever head over, take a tent! man the huts over there are like at least 100,000 Won a night with dinner and brekky thrown.

There's some wild camping on some of the islands off the coast near Mokpo, but that's more of a summer thing.

I highly recommend Songnisan. There's a good day walk around the tops, and a great minbak in the forest where you can feast on samgyeopsal and soju after a decent day in the mountains. Sorry, no camping though.

War Eagle · Joined: 15 Feb 2009