Seoul City Wall Hike - Baegak Mountain Trail & Bugaksan Mountain

(Changuimun Gate ➜ Sukjeongmun Gate 석정문 ➜ Hyehwamun Gate 혜화문)

🧸 Please wear comfortable shoes and bring bottled water for the hike.

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History of Seoul City Wall

Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall, 18.6km) was originally built in 1396 on the mountain ridges of Seoul (Mt. Baegaksan, Mt. Naksan, Mt. Namsan and Mt. Inwangsan).

Changuimun Gate, located in Buamdong was one of the gates to Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
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Seoul City Wall - Baegak Mountain Trail

The Baegak Mountain Trail (4.7km, 3 hrs hike) runs from Changuimun to Sukjeongmun to Hyehwamun. It crosses Mt. Baegak (Bugaksan Mountain), the highest of the 4 inner mountains of Seoul.

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Public access to this area was limited for about 40 years after a unit of North Korean Special Forces infiltrated the Blue House (Presidential Office & Residence) in 1968.

It was finally re-opened to the public in 2007.
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Hiking from Changuimun Gate

The path from Changuimun Gate begins on long steep climb (30-60 mins) all the way to the summit of Baegak (Bugaksan) Mountain.

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You can exit the hike at Sukjeongmun Information Center after Sukjeongmun Gate (& get a taxi), Malbawi Information Center or continue on to Hyehwamun Gate with more transport options.

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💡If you do not wish to begin your hike on a long steep climb, it is recommended to start the hike from Hyehwamun Gate, Malbawi Information Center or Sukjeongmun Information Center instead. After the hike, you can also explore the many cafes near Changuimun Gate at Buamdong as well.​

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Summit of Bugaksan Mountain (Altitude of 342m)

After the long ascending hike, you will reach the highest point of the Seoul City Wall (Baegangmaru) and the Peak of Bugaksan Mountain at 342m.

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It is a worthy hike with beautiful views of the Seoul City (incl. N Seoul Tower), Seoul City Wall and mountains.

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View of Bukhansan Mountain from Seoul City Wall

View of Namsan Mountain & N Seoul Tower from Seoul City Wall

Picturesque Mountain Range & Seoul City Wall

Old Pine Tree with Bullet Holes (January 21 Incident Pine Tree)

Along the hiking path after Bugaksan Mountain's summit, look out for a 200+ years old pine tree that bears the traces of fifteen bullets made during the gun battle between the South Korean military and police with the North Korean Special Forces unit who came to attack Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) on 21 January 1968.

From then, this tree has been called January 21 Incident Pine Tree. From this spot, a wide panorama between Bukhansan Mountain and Baegak spreads out beyond the wall.

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Sukjeongmun Gate

Next, the trail will lead to Sukjeongmun Gate. You will be presented with another magnificent mountain view when walking through the gate.

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Other Start/End Points for the Trail:

1. Hyehwamun Gate 혜화문

    서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 185 | Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si

• Hansung Univ.  Station (line 4). Some sections of the City Wall near Hyehwamun Gate are no longer present and pass through residential area. Recommend to start/end near Seongbuk Elementary School instead. Note: Search for "Hanseong Univ." instead when using MetroidHD app.​

a) Exit 6: Take bus Seongbuk 03, 2112 or 1111 and get off at Seongbuk Elementary School Stop, 4 bus stops, 8 mins ride. Next cross the road to Hyehwa-ro with the City Wall just ahead. OR

b) Exit 5: Walk along Seongbuk-ro and turn left to Hyehwa-ro near Seongbuk Elementary School. 18 mins walk.

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2. Malbawi Information Center

• Anguk Station (line 3, exit 2). Take Jongno Town Bus No. 2. Get off at the Sungkyunkwan Univ. back gate OR take a taxi to Waryong Park, 6 mins ride. 20 min walk to Malbawi Information Center. 

Waryong Park 와룡공원​

서울특별시 종로구 와룡공원길 192 (명륜3가) | 192, Waryonggongwon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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• Gwanghwamun Station (line 5, exit 2). Take Jongno Town Bus No. 11. Get off at Samcheong Park. 20 mins walk.

Samcheong Park 삼청공원
서울특별시 종로구 와룡공원길 41 (삼청동) | 41, Waryonggongwon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul​

3. Sukjeongmun Information Center

• Hansung Univ. Station (line 4, exit 6). Take Green bus No. 1111 or 2112. Get off at Seoul Myungsu School. 20 mins walk.

       Note: Search for "Hanseong Univ." instead when using MetroidHD app.​​

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Exit from Sukjeongmun Information Center to main road

Map of Seoul City Wall - Baegak Mountain Trail

(Changuimun Gate ➜ Sukjeongmun Gate ➜ Hyehwamun Gate)

Map of Bus Route from Gyeongbokgung Station to Changuimun Gate

Map of Walking or Bus Route from Hansung Univ. Station to Seoul City Wall

Complete Map of Seoul City Wall & its Gates