Seoul Mountain Hike: Temples, Folklore & Traditional Meal
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore Korea’s iconic mountains on this guided hike, where history, culture, and natural beauty converge. Begin at Gupabal Station before trekking serene pine forests, crossing scenic mountain passes, and discovering hidden Buddhist temples steeped in history and shamanic traditions. Hear captivating tales of monks, spirits, and folklore, including ghostly legends said to haunt these mystical peaks.
End your adventure with hasanju—Korea’s beloved hiking tradition—at a local mountainside restaurant. Enjoy a hearty chicken stew with mountain roots and fresh vegetables, or a vegetarian bibimbap, paired with makgeolli (traditional rice ale), beer, or non-alcoholic options.
Highlights:
Hike Seoul’s beautiful mountain trails with stunning views.
Discover hidden temples and shamanic sites.
Hear captivating stories of Korea’s history and folklore.
Enjoy a traditional post-hike meal with drinks.
✅ Small group | ✅ Moderate difficulty | ✅ Expert guides
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Minimum age is 18 years
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The hike itself is generally 4-5 hours. It's medium-grade, and the guide can adjust the trail to various skill levels. There is one long steep ascent near the beginning, but no special equipment like ropes and harnesses are necessary. • Meet the tour guide at Gupabal Subway Station, gate 1. Then board a brief bus ride to the trail head. Bus fare is included. • Stretch with the guide before walking. • The hike starts with a steep ascent, but no special equipment is necessary. • Go up an afforested valley. • Cross a path with spectacular views. • Descend towards and visit Buddhist temples nestled in rugged mountain nooks. • The guide relates stories of legends, history, and folklore related to Korea's age-old mountain heritage. • Finish at a local restaurant catering to hikers with unique mountain food and drinks. Food and drinks are included in the price. Guide Phone Number/WhatsApp: +82 10-5595-6099
Sample Menu
main
Traditional post-hike lunch
One of the joys of hiking is the food and drinks to rejuvenate.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunch
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Seoul Mountain Hike: Temples, Folklore & Traditional Meal
Reviews
56 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just keep climbing
josefc2018,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hiking with Shawn was one of the best experiences of our trip to Korea. His knowledge of the folk tales combined with love for hiking makes the trail easier (psychologically at least). 10/10 meal after the hike even for vegetarians
Wonderful hiking experience through mountains full of stories
Louise CD,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This hike will be one of the experiences we'll most remember from our trip to South Korea for sure! After a week in Seoul, a day in nature was just what we needed, and the trail was challenging enough to be fun but still easy enough to be highly enjoyable even for inexperienced hikers. Apart from being a great storyteller with deep knowledge of Korean folklore, Shawn was a great guide who really took care to keep the right pace and make sure everyone in the group was safe and comfortable. We would never have found this trail away from the crowds ourselves, and even if we did, it would have been less fun and we would have missed out on so much context to understand it better! Finishing with a delicious dinner completed the experience.
A day well-spent
livial738,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a memorable time hiking Bukhansan with Shawn. The route was just challenging enough for a non-hiker while still being very doable. Heed the advice and wear good shoes since the trail is rugged! The views are worth it though, and the people you pass by on the trail are so kind. Shawn is great company and very knowledgeable. Overall it was a day well-spent and it made me want to try more hikes in the future!
Very knowledgable guide.
erdmoebel,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well curated hiking trip with a very knowledgable guide (shawn). Loved it and highly recommend it to everyone who visits Seoul for dome days.
Genuinely had so much...
Lara P,Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Genuinely had so much fun! By chance it ended up just being me on the hike this day and Shawn tailored both the difficulty and sites we stopped at to my interests with an emphasis on art, temples, and my beginner hiking abilities. Was such a blast and his storytelling was a highlight of the hike, he was always willing to elaborate on my questions which really helped with my understanding both of the sites we were visiting and the history and stories behind them. Felt super safe as well and the restaurant at the end was the perfect cherry on top. Would recommend this to everyone of all ability types!
Amazing Tour
edbrucia,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour! Bukhansan was so beautiful, especially with the autumn foliage. Shawn was an incredible guide- so knowledgable and had lots of interesting info to share. His knowledge of folklore was very educational. The dinner afterwards was delicious and really special! Everything was great.
Awaresome hiking experience. Highly recommend 👌
Martina B,Jul 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing hiking experience. Our guide Shawn was so knowledgeable about the history and places along the trail. We visited the following places. Guknyeong-sa (temple), Yongchul-bong (“Dragon Ascending Peak”) , Muryeong-sa Seonbong-sa (2nd temple) this was all in the bukhansan National Park. A dinner was also included and visited a family owned restaurant. They made an amazing homemade noodles with vegetables and hot broth plus some Korean pancake. Highly recommend this tour if your interested in doing a hike in Seoul 😀
Great hike and excellent views!
gregtJ21SQ,Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Took a few extra days for sightseeing after a work trip in Seoul. Shawn did an excellent job pacing the hike and telling us the history and folklore as we went. Great views throughout! Lots of pictures. Bring water if it’s hot (as Shawn will remind you) but well worth it. The food and drinks at the end were a great way to finish. Highly recommend it!
Amazing trek!
Trip20652703419,Jul 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing trek, filled with Korea and Seoul trivia. Shawn is a knowledgeable guide with an in-depth understanding of cultures. Highly recommend!
Uisangbong and Wonhyobong valley hike
768brandenc,Jun 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Scenic, beautiful, and informative hike through the mountains. I felt more connected to the land after learning about the local mythology and stories regarding the mountains and monuments. Hike provided great views of multiple prominent mountains in the Bukhansan area and we stopped at various manmade sites like the old seoul wall and Gungyeongsa temple.
From US$155.93
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