Tips · South Korea

Bukhansan's Baegundae Hike: Routes, Transit and Gear

Bukhansan's rocky ridge rising above slopes of red and orange autumn leaves. — Bukhansan · Photo: Ingu Kang / CC BY-SA 4.0

Two routes up Baegundae, Bukhansan's top peak (1.9 or 3.4 km one way), by subway and bus, plus seasonal weather, clothing, plans and a checklist.

Published Oct 14, 2026

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The short answer: two routes, reached by subway and bus

Bukhansan National Park covers about 76.922 km² across Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Uiryeong Pass splits it into the Bukhansan area to the south and the Dobongsan area to the north, and its highest peak is Baegundae.

The guide gives two routes up Baegundae: 1.9 km one way (about 1 hr 30 min) from the Baegundae Visitor Support Center, or 3.4 km one way (about 2 hr 40 min) from the Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center via Daeseomun Gate. For both, you take the Seoul subway and then change to a bus.

Below Baegundae the trail turns steep and rocky. Wear hiking boots and use poles, plan around sunset, and check the Korea National Park Service's set entry hours and trail closures before you set out.

For the shorter climb: Baegundae Visitor Support Center route (1.9 km one way, about 1 hr 30 min)
To go via Daeseomun Gate: Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center route (3.4 km one way, about 2 hr 40 min)
Getting there: bus 120 from near Suyu Station (Line 4) / bus 704 from Gupabal Station (Line 3)
For both: hiking boots and poles, plus crampons in winter

Baegundae Visitor Support Center route: 1.9 km, about 1 hr 30 min

The shorter of the two routes starts at the Baegundae Visitor Support Center. It is 1.9 km one way to Baegundae, about 1 hr 30 min.

Here is how to get there. Take bus 120 from the Gangbuk-gu Office stop near Suyu Station (Line 4) and get off at the Ui-dong terminus. From the terminus you walk over 2 km of paved road to the trailhead, so your total walk is longer than the 1.9 km of trail. Check bus timetables and travel times in official information before you go.

The time given is for the climb, one way. If you come down the same way, set aside separate time for the descent and for the paved road back to the Ui-dong terminus.

Subway: Suyu Station (Line 4)
Bus: 120 from the Gangbuk-gu Office stop, get off at the Ui-dong terminus
Walk: over 2 km of paved road from the terminus to the trailhead
Trail: Baegundae Visitor Support Center to Baegundae, 1.9 km one way, about 1 hr 30 min

Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center route: 3.4 km via Daeseomun Gate

The other route climbs from the Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center through Daeseomun Gate to Baegundae. At 3.4 km one way, about 2 hr 40 min, it is longer than the Baegundae Visitor Support Center route.

Here is how to get there. Take bus 704 from Gupabal Station (Line 3) and get off at the Bukhansanseong entrance stop. Check bus timetables and travel times in official information before you go.

The climb alone takes about 2 hr 40 min, so keep the whole day free once you add the way down. On weekends crowds can slow you down.

Subway: Gupabal Station (Line 3)
Bus: 704, get off at the Bukhansanseong entrance stop
Trail: Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center, Daeseomun Gate, then Baegundae, 3.4 km one way, about 2 hr 40 min

Weather and clothing by season: the summit is not the city

The figures below are Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Seoul station. They come from a station in the city, not from the summit of Baegundae. Up on the mountain it can be colder and the weather can differ, so don't dress by the city temperature alone, and check that day's forecast on the day you hike.

The guide picks April–May and September–November for mild weather and clear skies. July–August is hot, humid and rainy (monsoon), and July has the most rain of the year (414 mm). December–February is cold and often below freezing, so dress warmly.

Whatever the season, hiking boots and poles are the basics. In winter many sections are icy and crampons are needed.

Spring: April high 18°C, low 8°C, 73 mm; May high 24°C, low 14°C, 104 mm
Summer: July high 29°C, low 22°C, 414 mm; August high 30°C, low 23°C, 348 mm
Autumn: September high 26°C, low 18°C, 142 mm; October high 20°C, low 11°C, 52 mm; November high 12°C, low 4°C, 51 mm
Winter: December high 4°C, low -3°C, 23 mm; January high 2°C, low -6°C, 17 mm; February high 5°C, low -3°C, 28 mm
All figures are for the Seoul city station. The summit of Baegundae can be colder and different.

Sample half-day and full-day plans

For a half day, the shorter Baegundae Visitor Support Center route fits. Ride bus 120 from near Suyu Station (Line 4) to the Ui-dong terminus and walk the paved road to the trailhead. Climb to Baegundae in about 1 hr 30 min, come down the same way, then take the bus and subway back into the city.

For a full day, take the Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center route. Ride bus 704 from Gupabal Station (Line 3) to the Bukhansanseong entrance stop, then climb through Daeseomun Gate to Baegundae in about 2 hr 40 min. Allow plenty of time for the descent and keep that evening light.

Either way, start early and plan around sunset. On weekends crowds can slow the climb. Use a T-money card on the subway and buses so transfer discounts apply automatically; on buses, tap your card both when boarding and when getting off to get the transfer discount.

Half day: near Suyu Station, bus 120, Ui-dong terminus, paved road, Baegundae Visitor Support Center, Baegundae, back the same way
Full day: Gupabal Station, bus 704, Bukhansanseong entrance stop, Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center, Daeseomun Gate, Baegundae, then down
Both: plan around sunset, and allow extra time on weekends

Checklist before you go

Below Baegundae the trail turns steep and rocky. Stay out of closed areas, and check the Korea National Park Service's set entry hours and trail closures before you set out.

Check bus timetables and visitor support center information in official information before you go. On the day you hike, dress by that day's forecast, not by Seoul's city normals.

For autumn leaves, winter in Seoul as a whole, or an indoor plan for a rainy day, see the articles below.

Hiking boots and poles
Winter (December–February): crampons and warm clothing
Check sunset time, and allow extra time on weekends
Korea National Park Service: set entry hours and trail closures
Stay out of closed areas
T-money card (on buses, tap when boarding and getting off)
That day's forecast (the summit can differ from the city)

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FAQ

Which is the shortest route to Baegundae?

Of the two routes, the Baegundae Visitor Support Center route is shorter at 1.9 km one way (about 1 hr 30 min). But first you walk over 2 km of paved road from the Ui-dong bus terminus to the trailhead.

Can I get there by public transport?

Yes. For the Baegundae Visitor Support Center route, take bus 120 from the Gangbuk-gu Office stop near Suyu Station (Line 4) to the Ui-dong terminus. For the Bukhansanseong Visitor Support Center route, take bus 704 from Gupabal Station (Line 3) to the Bukhansanseong entrance stop.

Can I climb Baegundae in winter?

In winter many sections are icy and crampons are needed. Wear hiking boots, use poles, and check the Korea National Park Service's set entry hours and trail closures before you set out.

Do Seoul's climate normals tell me the temperature on Baegundae?

No. Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals are for the Seoul city station. The summit of Baegundae can be colder and the weather different, so check that day's forecast.