WINTER IN KOREA · FROM IPDONG TO IPCHUN
Winter hiking in Korea: choose your snow outing
Never walked on snow? Korea’s mountains turn white each winter, and some of them start at a subway station. Here is what to expect, what to carry and where to go.
Choose your winter walk Photo: Lcarrion88CHOOSE THE OUTING FIRST
Start with the kind of day you want: a mountain reached from Seoul, frosted ridges in Odaesan or Taebaeksan’s winter scenery. Then choose the trail and the journey home.
FROM SEOUL · ROCKY SUMMIT
Choose Baegundae when you want a summit outing with rocky ground, steps and a steep final ascent. The 1.9 km outward trail starts at Baegun Visitor Center; the walk from Bukhansan Ui Station and the return take additional time.
Baegundae trail and transportGANGWON · FROSTED RIDGES
Choose Odaesan when winter mountain scenery is the reason for your trip. The park includes separate Odaesan, Sogeumgangsan and Gyebangsan districts, so select the district and trail entrance before planning transport.
Explore Odaesan National Park
GANGWON · YEWS & HIGH PEAKS
Choose Taebaeksan for the snow-covered yew forests described by the national park and the mountain around Cheonjedan. Decide which trail entrance and summit you want before arranging the onward trip from town.
Explore Taebaeksan National Park01 / YOUR FIRST SNOW HIKE
Winter trails have many icy stretches. The Korea National Park Service asks winter walkers to carry crampons and gaiters and to stay on marked trails. Outdoor shops in Korea call them 아이젠 aijen and 스패츠 seupacheu.
The park service advises several thin layers to keep your body warm, and a spare phone battery. Numbness or shivering are signs of hypothermia: ask for help straight away. Korea’s emergency number is 119.
The park service’s advice is to head down at once, or to the nearest shelter. Heavy snow can close trails, so check the park’s closure notices before you set out.
The park service runs its winter disaster season from 15 November to 15 March and says postponing is the safest choice when the weather turns. On Seoraksan, temperatures have fallen to −25 °C.
02 / NO CAR NEEDED
Three snowy mountains whose trails begin from city transport, in the Forest Service guide’s own words.
Seoul · 835.6 m
Rime ice on the peaks
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
Snow on the Podae ridge rocks
Dobongsan (740.2 m), Seoul: granite peaks and clear valleys in Bukhansan National Park, reached straight from the subway.
Busan · 800.8 m
Busan under snow, like an ink painting
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 SNOW
Each line is the Korea Forest Service’s winter note for one of its 100 famous mountains. Heights are summit altitudes, not climbs.
04 / NATIONAL PARKS IN WINTER
05 / WALK ON A FROZEN RIVER
16 Jan – 14 Feb · Cheorwon, Gangwon
Explore the Hantangang gorge from the Mulwitgil’s riverside paths and floating walkways. Check which sections are open for your visit.
Winter festivals of another kind: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival and Daegwallyeong Snow Festival, on Tours in Korea.
