Seoul Hiking Tourism Center: The Best Starting Point for Hiking in Seoul Without Gear

When first visiting Seoul, many foreigners feel overwhelmed by the tall buildings and busy streets.

But the true charm of Seoul lies in its unique landscape where city and nature coexist in perfect harmony.

Imagine starting your morning with coffee at a café in Bukchon,

And then climbing Bukhansan Mountain in the afternoon to overlook the entire Seoul cityscape.

What other city in the world offers such a diverse experience in a single day?

You can enjoy Seoul’s mountains without hiking boots, trekking poles, or even maps.

At the foot of Seoul’s famous mountains, including Bukhansan, there’s a starting point for foreign hikers:

The Seoul Hiking Tourism Center.

What is the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center?

Planning to hike in Korea but don’t have the gear?

Then Seoul’s Hiking Tourism Center offers the perfect solution.

Operated by the Seoul Tourism Foundation, this center is a complete ‘base camp’ for foreign hikers, offering gear rentals, hiking info, multilingual support, and more.

If you’re a foreign traveler who wants to enjoy Seoul’s nature lightly, safely, and like a local, start your hiking journey here!

Why is it perfect for foreign hikers?

• Multilingual support services: English, Chinese, Japanese
• Hiking course recommendations: By season and difficulty level
• Equipment rental service: Gear rental in your size (online pre-booking available)
• Rest facilities: Lounges, lockers, changing rooms, powder rooms, etc. (varies by center)
• Convenient locations near Seoul’s famous mountains: Bukhansan mountain, Bugaksan mountain, Inwangsan mountain, Gwanaksan mountain

■ Bukhansan Center

Located at the entrance of Bukhansan National Park, it provides optimal access to the main hiking trails of Bukhansan.

>>Basic Information

• Hiking tourism information: Provides specialized information about Bukhansan as well as various hiking courses throughout Seoul.
• Experience programs: Operates various programs for foreign hiking tourists, including climbing experiences and night hikes.
• Display zone and lounge: Create memories with friends, family, and acquaintances in the center’s display zone, and prepare for hiking or rest in the lounge before and after your hike.
• Hiking equipment rental: Rent essential gear such as hiking boots, clothes, poles, backpacks, and gloves at affordable prices.

You can prepare your desired equipment in advance through pre-booking.

※Bukhansan Center hiking equipment pre-booking site → Booking

• Other amenities: Lockers, changing rooms

>>How to Get There

• Address: 5th floor, Gwanglim Building, 52, Samyang-ro 173-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
• Public Transportation: Bukhansan Ui Station Exit 2 → 5-minute walk
• Operating hours: 09:00~18:00 (Closed on Mondays and national holidays)

>>Bukhansan mountain

Bukhansan National Park, embracing South Korea’s capital Seoul, is a rare urban nature park found in few places around the world.

If you want to experience lush forests and breathtaking views from the summit, head to Bukhansan mountain and Dobongsan mountain.

Especially after modern mountaineers pioneered rock climbing routes, Bukhansan’s Insubong Peak and Dobongsan’s Seoninbong Peak became essential courses for rock climbers. Various hiking paths and ridges have been developed for regular hikers, allowing you to choose appropriate hiking courses based on your physical condition and circumstances.

■ Bugaksan Center

Located in the cultural street of Samcheong-dong in central Seoul, it serves as a gateway to simultaneously enjoy Seoul’s urban landscape and nature.

>>Basic Information

• Hiking tourism information: Provides specialized information about Bugaksan as well as various hiking courses throughout Seoul.
• Experience programs: Operates various programs for foreign hiking tourists, including climbing experiences and night hikes.
• Display zone and Hanok lounge: Create memories with friends, family, and acquaintances in the center’s display zone, and prepare for hiking or rest in the traditional Korean Hanok lounge before and after your hike.
• Hiking equipment rental: Rent essential gear such as hiking boots, clothes, poles, backpacks, and gloves at affordable prices.

You can prepare your desired equipment in advance through pre-booking.

※Bugaksan Center hiking equipment pre-booking site → Booking

• Other amenities: Lockers, changing rooms

>>How to Get There

• Address: 1st floor, 88, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• Public Transportation:
  • Line 3 Anguk Station Exit 2 → 16-minute walk
  • Line 3 Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 4 → 24-minute walk
  • Line 5 Gwanghwamun Station Exit 2 → 26-minute walk
• Operating hours: 09:00~18:00 (Closed on Tuesdays and national holidays)

>>Bugaksan mountain

The path up Bugaksan brings peace to body and mind no matter which season you visit.

Take time to focus on yourself along the dignified natural landscape of Bugaksan, reminiscent of Ilwolohbongdo (a traditional painting depicting the sun, moon, and five peaks).

Bugaksan is a massive rocky mountain with steep slopes and exposed granite throughout.

Thanks to its rocky terrain and slopes, it’s nicknamed the ‘spicy mountain,’

But even if you don’t reach the summit, the Bugaksan Dulle-gil (circular trail) allows anyone to experience the mountain’s charm.

>>Inwangsan mountain

Inwangsan has gentle terrain, allowing visitors to admire Seoul’s downtown like a painting, and even beginners can easily reach the summit.

While most Korean mountains feature overlapping peaks, Inwangsan stands alone prominently, which is its distinctive characteristic.

It typically takes about 3 hours to complete the traverse, making it not too burdensome.

Climbing to Inwangsan’s summit on a sunny day with the blue sky as your companion, you can capture in one glance the true Seoul where natural and urban landscapes harmonize—from the Lotte World Tower, Seoul’s landmark, to Bukhansan across the way.

■ Gwanaksan Center

The Gwanaksan Center is located on the B1 floor of Gwanaksan Subway Station, providing Gwanaksan and nearby tourism information to hikers and subway users.

>>Basic Information

• Hiking tourism information: Provides specialized information about Gwanaksan as well as various hiking courses throughout Seoul.
• Experience programs: Operates various programs for foreign hiking tourists, including climbing experiences and night hikes.
• Lounge and photo zone: Take a rest and prepare for hiking in the center’s lounge, and create memories with friends, family, and acquaintances in the photo zone.
• Hiking equipment rental: Rent essential gear such as hiking boots, clothes, poles, backpacks, and gloves at affordable prices. You can prepare your desired equipment in advance through pre-booking.

※Gwanaksan Center hiking equipment pre-booking site → Booking

• Other amenities: Powder room, changing room, lockers

>>How to Get There

• Address: 23 Sillim-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (inside Gwanaksan Station on the Sillim Line)
• Public Transportation: Sillim Line Gwanaksan Station Exit 1
• Operating hours: 09:00~18:00 (Closed on Wednesdays and national holidays)

>>Gwanaksan mountain

Gwanaksan is a mountain that infuses you with powerful energy.

Climbing its rocky ridges, you can feel nature’s unbridled force, and at the summit, refresh your body and mind while taking in the expansive view.

Gwanaksan offers diverse hiking trails for everyone from beginners to experienced hikers.

The course starting from behind Seoul National University is especially popular, with well-maintained forest paths,

And passing through valleys and waterfalls halfway up the mountain allows you to enjoy refreshing nature, attracting many visitors throughout all four seasons.

There are also courses for rock climbing, making it beloved by those who enjoy challenging hikes.

Looking for other hiking options?

[Check out this guide to Easy Hiking in Korea with Free Rentals.]

Editor’s Note: Hike Like a Local

Starting from the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center, venture beyond the concrete jungle into real forests.

There, you’ll understand why Koreans love mountains so much,

And why they describe them as “living mountains.”

Don’t worry if you don’t have equipment or lack experience.

The center will help you with all preparations.

Create your own special memories in Seoul’s mountains.

And when you reach the summit, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and capture Seoul’s panoramic view in your heart.

“Like mountains meeting water, we support your beautiful encounter with Seoul.”

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