Hiking in Korea’s National Parks: 3 Checks Before You Go
Before a national park hike in Korea, check three things: the exact route, today’s trail-control notice and the latest time you may enter. Then check the weather for that park, not only the weather near your home.
This guide is for a day hike. It does not tell you that one route is safe for everyone. Your fitness, equipment and conditions still matter.
1. Choose a route that fits you
Start with the park name and the exact course. The Korea National Park Service, or KNPS, lists routes and starting points on each park page. Its route grading system uses slope, distance, trail surface and expected time — not distance alone. See the official route grades and Bukhansan courses
The English grade words can be easy to misread:
Easy means a wide, very gentle section that may also suit a wheelchair or stroller.
Moderate is a relatively flat, mostly earth trail for a short walk. KNPS says sneakers may be suitable.
Intermediate is the lowest grade KNPS describes as a hiking course. It may take about two to four hours and needs light hiking clothing and footwear.
Advanced and Expert routes are for experienced hikers and can involve steep, rocky and much longer courses. If you are new to hiking in Korea, do not choose a route from a summit photo alone.
Our suggestion: agree on the route name and starting point with your partner before leaving home. Different entrances to the same park can lead to very different walks.
2. Check whether your trail is open today
Open the KNPS National Park Trail Control Information page on the day of your hike. The Korean status words are:
정상 — normal
부분통제 — partial closure
Click the park or office name to see the affected section, reason and reference time. “Partial closure” does not mean the whole park is closed. It also does not tell you that your planned trail is open until you read the details.
Why this matters: as checked on 3 October 2026, the Bukhansan office showed a partial closure for a 1.7 km section between Academy Park Guard Post in Gucheongyegok and below Daedongmun because of a landslide. The notice says the section remains closed until another announcement. This is an example, not a complete list of current closures. Read the Bukhansan notice
Conditions can change after heavy rain, strong wind, snow, construction or another safety issue. Recheck before you travel, even if you saved the route earlier.
3. Check the entry time and park weather
KNPS uses an entry-time system, called 입산시간지정제. The allowed entry and control times depend on the trail and season. The system is intended to reduce long, unsafe hikes after dark and protect the park from unplanned overnight stays. Check the official entry-time table
Treat the listed time as a route-specific control point, not one simple opening time for the whole park. Find the park, route direction and season in the table. Arrive earlier than the latest entry time and leave enough time to return in daylight.
Next, use the KNPS National Park Weather page. It provides park-based forecasts and observation data. Check the hours you will be outside, including your return. Temperature, rain chance, wind and the “feels like” value can be different from conditions in the city.
A simple plan to share
Before leaving, send your partner or friend:
• park and route name
• starting point and transport plan
• expected start and return time
• the day’s trail-control result
Carry a charged phone, water, suitable footwear and an extra layer for the conditions. Turn back if the weather, trail or your body is not matching the plan.
Information checked: 3 October 2026 (Korea time). Trail controls, entry times and weather can change. Check the official pages again on the day of your hike.
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