A WORD TO KNOW
단풍 danpung
Autumn colour, and the maple
The same word means the turning leaves and the maple tree itself. The guide’s maple tunnels: 108 trees to Naejangsa, and a tunnel of maples on Geumsusan.
AUTUMN IN KOREA · FROM IPCHU TO IPDONG
The mountains catch fire.
Each autumn, colour runs down Korea’s mountains from the summits, maples turn whole valleys red and silver grass lights the high ridges. Here is what to look for, when it comes and where to go, some of it by subway.
Photo: ⓒ한국관광콘텐츠랩-하남기01 / WORDS AND TIMING
Learn the words. Catch the colour.
A WORD TO KNOW
애기단풍 aegi danpung
Baby maples
Small-leaved maples in deep reds. The guide finds them in seven kinds of red on Gangcheonsan and against pale rock on Baegamsan.
A WORD TO KNOW
억새 eoksae
Silver grass
Tall grass whose plumes turn silver and gold on high, open ridges: Myeongseongsan, Minjujisan, Mudeungsan and Bangjangsan’s Eoksaebong.
02 / NO CAR NEEDED
Colour, by subway.
Four city mountains with trails from subway and metro stations, in the Forest Service guide’s own words.
Seoul · 835.6 m
Bukhansan
Baegundae in colour
Bukhansan (835.6 m), Seoul: granite domes around Baegundae in a national park inside the capital, reached by subway and bus.
Seoul · 740.2 m
Dobongsan
Seoninbong and Jaunbong in colour from the Darak ridge
Dobongsan (740.2 m), Seoul: granite peaks and clear valleys in Bukhansan National Park, reached straight from the subway.
Seoul · 632.2 m
Gwanaksan
Autumn colour seen from the cliffs
Gwanaksan (632.2 m): Seoul’s rocky weekend mountain, with the cliff hermitage Yeonjudae on top, reached from subway stations.
Busan · 800.8 m
Geumjeongsan
Maples along the fortress wall
Geumjeongsan (800.8 m), Busan: a crescent ridge with a Joseon fortress, the temple Beomeosa and trails from metro stations.
03 / WHERE THE GUIDE SEES COLOUR
37 mountains in colour.
Each line is the Korea Forest Service’s autumn note for one of its 100 famous mountains. Heights are summit altitudes, not climbs.
Seoul
Busan
Daegu
Gwangju
Gyeonggi
Gangwon
North Chungcheong
South Chungcheong
North Jeolla
- Gangcheonsan585.8 mTiny baby maples in seven kinds of red
- Naejangsan763.5 mThe 108-maple tunnel to Naejangsa
- Deogyusan1,614.2 mBaengnyeonsa in red
- Maisan687.4 mHorse’s ears in autumn colour
- Moaksan795.2 mColour toward Daewonsa
- Bangjangsan743 mAsters and silver grass on Eoksaebong
- Baegamsan741.2 mBaby maples against Baekhakbong’s pale rock
- Byeonsan508 mThe Naesosa firs in colour
South Jeolla
North Gyeongsang
South Gyeongsang
04 / NATIONAL PARKS IN AUTUMN
Red mountains, old names.
Sources
- Korea Forest Service, 꼭 한번 가 볼 우리 100대 명산: autumn notes and summit heights, linked from each mountain page.
- Korea Meteorological Administration, foliage guide (8 October 2026): definitions and average peak dates; Seoraksan first colour, 28 September 2026.
- Korea Forest Service, foliage peak search service.
- Korea National Park Service: park introductions and the trail closure list.