Mountain Fall Foliage Sites for Autumn Hiking
If you have been outside in the past week or two. Then you will already know Summer has pasted rather tamely and Autumn has snuck its chilly breeze into our daily lives. So soon are the shorts packed away again and the long pants are back out protecting us from the cold chill. Yes it is refreshing and all, but soon enough you will be begging for Summer to come back. So for the meantime, you might as well make the most of Autumn by doing some of these awesome hikes. All these mountains are famous with Locals and people in the know simply cause they offer the best photographs of foliage every year without fail. If you want those picturesque photos too then you will need to get yourself on a bus and go check them out.
Seoraksan Mountain (설악산) in Inje, Gangwon-do:
When it comes to autumn destinations, the first mountain that comes to mind for most is Seoraksan Mountain. A feast for the eyes throughout the year, rich colours make Seoraksan a main attraction in autumn. There are plenty of hiking trails along the mountain side. When planning your hiking route, take into account that the best places to view leaves are Cheonbuldong Valley (천불동계곡), Osaek Mineral Spring (오색약수터),Osaek Jujeongol (주전골), and Baekdam Valley (백담계곡).
Info
Seoraksan National Park (NaeSeorak)
Seoraksan National Park (OeSeorak)
Transportation
• Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울종합버스터미널) → Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal (속초시외버스터미널)
(Bus schedule: First bus 06:05, Last bus 23:00 / Travel time: 2-3 hours / Fare: 17,300 won)
• From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus 7 or 7-1 → Get off at the last bus stop (Seoraksan Sogongwon Stop)
(Bus schedule: 20-30 minute intervals / Travel time: approx. 30 minutes / Fare: 1,100 won)
• Ticket office is about a 5-minute walk from the last bus stop.
Nearby Attractions
Seorak Waterpia, Naksan Beach, Gangneung Gyeongpodae Pavilion, etc.
Korea National Park: http://www.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Odaesan Mountain (오대산) in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do:
Odaesan Mountain’s vibrant fall foliage puts it on the map as an autumn destination that can’t be missed. A popular vacation site year round, the mountain bustles with campers and guests at natural recreation forest lodges, especially during peak foliage season around mid-October. During busier times, the road from Myeonggae-ri, located to the north of Woljeongsa Temple (월정사), often offers more convenient access to Odaesan.
Info
Odaesan National Park
Transportation
• Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울종합버스터미널) → Pyeongchang-gun Jinbu Bus Terminal (진부공용버스터미널)
(Bus schedule: First bus 6:22, Last bus 20:05 / Travel time: 2 hours 15 minutes / Fare: 1,310 won)
• Jinbu Intercity Bus Terminal (진부시외버스터미널) → Take a bus bound for Odaesan Mountain (Destination: Woljeongsa (월정사) or Sangwonsa (상원사) temples)
(Bus schedule: approx. 1-hour intervals / First bus 06:30, Last bus 19:40 / Travel time: 20-40 minutes / Fare: 1,750 won (Woljeongsa), 2,800 won (Sangwonsa)
• Get off at Woljeongsa or Sangwonsa temples (Admission fee: 3,000 won)
Korea National Park: http://www.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Nearby Attractions
Sangwonsa Temple (Odaesan), Woljeongsa Temple (Odaesan), Daegwallyeong Museum, etc.
Jirisan Mountain (지리산) in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do:
Beloved by all in Korea, Jirisan Mountain is rugged in form and impressive in scale. During peak foliage season around late October, the slopes are ablaze with brilliant colors dominating the rocky landscape, while Piagol Valley (피아골) and Baemsagol Valley (뱀사골) offer great hiking trails to those looking to journey around the mountain. Jirisan also extends across three provinces (Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do), and many choose to go on overnight trekking trips to fully appreciate the mountain in all its glory.
Info
Jirisan National Park
Transportation
1. To Jeollanam-do
• Yongsan Station → Guryegu Station (구례구역)
(Train schedule: First train 05:22, Last train 22:45)
– KTX (Travel time: 3 hours / Fare: 37,600 won)
– Saemaeulho Line (Travel time: 4 hours / Fare: 33,400 won)
– Mugunghwaho Line (Travel time: 4 hours 15-30 minutes / Fare: 22,500 won)
• Guryegu Station → Gurye Bus Terminal (구례공용버스터미널)
* At Gurye Station, intercity buses bound for Gurye Bus Terminal operate in time for the arrival of the trains.
(Fare: 1,100 won)
• Gurye Bus Terminal → Take a bus bound for Nogodan (노고단) → Get off at Seongsamjae (성삼재)
* Buses do not operate from late November to mid April.
(Bus schedule: approx. 2-hour intervals / First bus 03:50, Last bus 17:40 / Travel time: approx. 30 minutes / Fare: 4,000 won)
2. To Gyeongsangnam-do
• Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal (서울남부종합버스터미널) → Jinju Intercity Bus Terminal (진주시외버스터미널)
(Bus schedule: First bus 06:00, Last bus 24:00 / Travel time: approx. 3 hours 40 minutes / Fare: 20,300 won or 22,300 won for night-time buses)
• Jinju Intercity Bus Terminal → Take a bus bound for Jungsan-ri (중산리행) → Get off at the last bus stop
(Bus schedule: First bus 06:10, Last bus 21:10 / approx. 1-hour intervals / Fare: 5,900 won)
3. To Jeollabuk-do
• Central City Terminal (Honam Line) (서울호남고속버스터미널) → Namwon Express Bus Terminal (남원고속버스터미널)
(Bus schedule: First bus 06:00, Last bus 22:20 / Travel time: 3 hours / Fare: 15,800 won – 25,600 won)
• Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울종합버스터미널) → Namwon Bus Terminal (남원공용버스터미널)
(Bus schedule: 09:00, 10:00, 15:20 / Travel time: 4 hours / Fare: 16,000 won)
• Namwon Bus Terminal → Take an intercity bus bound for Baemsagol (뱀사골)
(Bus schedule: approx. 2-hour intervals / First bus 06:00, Last bus 19:20 / Travel time: approx. 50 minutes / Fare: 5,300 won)
Korea National Park: http://www.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Nearby Attractions
Ten Scenic Views of Jirisan, Hwaeomsa Temple, Cheoneunsa Temple, etc.
Related Column: Jirisan Forest Trails
Naejangsan Mountain (내장산) in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do:
Second only to Seoraksan Mountain, Naejangsan National Park boasts a high volume of visitors from far and wide every single year. The most remarkable feature of this mountain during autumn is the tunnel of multi-coloured maple trees that begins at the ticket office. As you can see from the photo above, it does look rather special. Wouldn’t you love to have your own photo like this and share it out on your social media?
Info
Naejangsan National Park
Transportation
• Central City Terminal (Honam Line) (서울호남고속버스터미널) → Jeongeup Bus Terminal (정읍공용버스터미널)
(Bus schedule: First bus 06:30, Last bus 22:55 / Travel time: 3 hours / Fare: 14,600 won – 23,600 won)
• Jeongeup Bus Terminal → Take Bus 171 or 171-1 → Get off at Naejangsan Terminal
(Bus schedule: approx. 30-minute intervals / Travel time: approx. 30 minutes / Fare: 1,100 won)
Korea National Park: http://www.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Nearby Attractions
Naejangsa Temple, Geumseon Valley, etc.
Juwangsan Mountain (주왕산) in Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do:
Juwangsan National Park is characterized by its rocky peaks, deep valleys and elegant waterfalls. Its main hiking trail, which runs through the Sangui Parking Lot (상의주차장), Kaldeunggogae Ridge (칼등고개), Hurimegi (후리메기), Waterfall No.1, and back to the parking lot, takes approximately four hours to get from start to finish. Moreover, the blanket of fog that appears at dawn at the nearby Juwangji Reservoir, as well as the fall foliage reflection on the lake surface continue to attract many visitors, especially photographers and photo aficionados, to this mountain year in, year out.
Info
Juwangsan National Park
Transportation
• Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울종합버스터미널) → Juwangsan Intercity Bus Terminal (주왕산시외버스터미널)
(Bus schedule: 06:30, 08:40, 10:20, 12:00, 15:10, 16:40 / Travel time: 4 hours 30 minutes / Fare: 24,700 won)
Korea National Park: http://www.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Nearby Attractions
Jusanji Pond, Cheongsong Folk Museum, etc.
These are the top mountain sites around the whole of South Korea to enjoy a great Autumn hike. There is obviously local mountains near your home that will be great for a afternoon walk but these will offer you a truly majestic time that can’t be forgotten the moment you arrive home or go back to work. Don’t skip out on a fine Autumn’s day this year and instead take yourself and maybe your partner or friends. There is memories to be made, just gather up some courage and go out and deal with the chill head on. You won’t regret it, not even in the least bit.
