In Korea hiking is popular. The hikers have the latest equipment, the right clothes and they look very professional. Question is how good the hiking is in this country that is not really known for their impressive mountains. Last weekend I decided to find out in the local National Park, Bukhansan, just north of Seoul which is very popular and crowded during the weekends.
I had read on the internet where to go and took the subway to one of the stations close to the park. I did not find the bus I was looking for but a nice enough Korean pointed out another one that would take me in the right direction. On the bus I found two men with all the fancy gear for a day of hiking. I asked if they were going to the same place as me and with their not very impressive english vocabulary they made me understand that they would show me the way.
They started off in a fast pace. I tried to stop at the ranger station to find a map but the guys were stressing me on like I was a race horse. But I figured that I would not get lost if I followed these guys so I did not bother about the map. I kept up with the first guy and realized after a few minutes that we had left the other guy behind us. I asked Mr Fast Guy and he just pointed at his watch and said time, so I guess they had no plan of walking together.
After half an hour or so we reached the first gate of an old fortress that is situated on the ridge in the park. You walk along the wall which was restored after the Korean war. The gates are popular places for picknicks and many seem to have come there mainly for eating and not necessariliy for hiking.
Mr Fast Guy took me almost all the way to Baegundae Peak which is the highest point in the park. This was my goal but not his so we parted just below the peak. The hiking in this national park is more technical than I thought, it is often very steep and in some places it is even easier Via Ferrata hiking. The last bit up to Baegundae Peak is the steepest and hardest part. This however does not scare the Koreans and the path up to the peak is full of people. At the top you have a lovely view of Seoul and the Bukhansan National Park. On the top of Baegundae I met Nina from Switzerland. We had a rest and enjoyed the view before we started walking back together. It’s always fun to be one Swiss and one Swede, very confusing for everyone. I am still amazed how Swiss people always are accused of being Swedish and the other way around. Where is the logic in that?
If you ever get the chance I can really recommend to go hiking in Bukhansan National Park. It is easy to get there from the city and it offers great hiking and wonderful views.