Hiking around Bukhansan National Park

On Friday we got a leave from work and went to the Bukhansan National Park. As our boss recommended us to avoid weekends for hiking around the park. There are several entrances, but as we wanted to hike up to Baegundae Peak, we headed for the one at Doseonsa (Temple).

The easiest way from Itaewon was to take the underground #4 to Suyu Station, go out of Exit 3 and take one of the blue buses #120 or #153 which start from the middle of the street (following the advice of the Tourism Office at Itaewon Station). At the last stop of the bus you can already see the outdoor shops and a transfer bus on the other side of the street. Just follow the Korean hikers. You can pay 500 Won for this bus up to the parking lot when you get to the Doseonsa, there should be a wooden box outside of the bus. If you are lucky as we were, some old ladies will introduce you to that practice tooth and nail.

Crossing the street you can find the entrance of the Baegundae Trail. We made a round trip, from the Doseonsa Temple to the Baegundae Shelter up to the peak and back through the Jongamun Gate. The weather was great for our hike, sunny and mild, but for our sports program the trail got steeper as we thought. In the end there was even some fixed rope routes. If you are not afraid of heights you can make it, as there is no part without ropes, but do not underestimate the challenge. At the end a breathtaking view and our high spirits made totally up the effort. Even if it was a little bit hazy (as almost every day) we enjoyed part of the never ending city, the bare rocks and trees.

And coming here on a weekday was in fact perfect, as the peak was well visited but not to full. Thinking about the many Koreans we saw thoroughly dressed in hiking equipment the other weekend and about the narrow climb up, you will have to bring a lot of patience for a trip on the weekend. 

For the evening we just enjoyed our neighborhood. Just after the buzzing streets of Itaewon and right behind our Hotel the relaxed area of Noksapyeong is great for an evening stroll. With more locals and nice little cafes and restaurants mixed with residential areas you can find a lot of Korean food as well. No wonder that we had fried vegetables, spicy rice cake and dumpling soup for dinner. On top of the hill right behind the Buddhist Shrine of Itaewon we stopped for a nightly view over the city including the (broadcasting) N Seoul Tower.