Nature & Landscape

Koreans love mountains—hiking is the number one national sport, and on weekends, millions flock to the 22 national parks. The hiking culture is impressive: you meet 70-year-olds in perfect outdoor gear who treat you to Makgeolli and Kimbap at the summit.

The Most Beautiful Mountains

• Seoraksan (1,708 m)—South Korea's most spectacular mountain with granite rocks, waterfalls, and the best autumn foliage in the country. → Chap. Regions
• Hallasan (1,950 m)—Jeju's volcanic peak with a crater lake. South Korea's highest point. → Chap. Regions
• Bukhansan (836 m)—The national park on the outskirts of Seoul. Reach the summit in 2 hours—with views over the entire 10-million city. One of the most visited national parks in the world (per area).
• Jirisan (1,915 m)—South Korea's oldest national park with multi-day hut hikes along the main ridge. For serious hikers.
• Naejangsan—Korea's most famous autumn foliage mountain: In November, maple trees form a tunnel of red, orange, and gold over the temple path.

South Korea's four seasons are dramatic and define life—each season completely transforms the country:

Spring: Cherry Blossoms (4월, April)

When the cherry blossoms (Beotkkot) arrive, all of Korea is in bloom fever. The bloom travels from Jeju (end of March) to Seoul (beginning of April) and lasts only 7–10 days per region. The best spots: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival (350,000 trees—the largest cherry blossom festival in the world), Yeouido in Seoul, Gyeongju.

Summer: Monsoon & Beaches (7–8월)

Hot, humid, and rainy—but also the time for Busan's beaches, Jeju vacations, and the famous Boryeong Mud Festival (mud festival on the west coast). Summer is Bingsu season (Korean shaved ice).

Autumn: Danpung—the Great Color Show (10–11월)

Korea's most beautiful season: The autumn foliage (Danpung) transforms the mountains into a fireworks display of red, orange, gold, and yellow. From mid-October to mid-November, the entire country is a painting. The best spots: Seoraksan, Naejangsan, Bukhansan, the ginkgo avenues in Seoul's streets.

Winter: Snow & Skiing (12–2월)

Cold and clear—perfect for skiing in Pyeongchang (Olympics 2018), winter palace visits in Seoul (especially Changdeokgung in the snow), Jjimjilbang culture, and the famous winter illuminations (light festivals in Seoul and Busan).

Jeju Island is geologically unique—a volcanic island that rose from the sea about 2 million years ago due to volcanic eruptions. The result: a surreal landscape of lava tubes, crater lakes, volcanic cones, and bizarre rock formations, declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage in 2007.

• Hallasan: The extinct shield volcano (1,950 m) with the Baengnokdam crater lake at the summit. Five vegetation zones from subtropical to alpine.
• Manjanggul Lava Tube: 7.4 km long, one of the longest in the world. 1 km walkable. Stalactites, lava columns, underground lakes.
• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak): A 182 m high volcanic crater right by the sea—like a natural fortress. The hike to the rim (30 min.) offers views over the crater and up to the offshore islands.
• Oreum (오름): Jeju has over 360 small volcanic cones—called "Oreum." Each is a short walk with panoramic views. The Darangshi Oreum and the Saebyeol Oreum are particularly beautiful.
• Jusangjeolli Cliffs: Hexagonal basalt columns standing like man-made structures on the coast—formed by slowly cooling lava.