visitseoul.net

Put on your walking shoes and come join us on Sunday, Aug 24 for a leisurely stroll along Namsan Trail. Located in the heart of the city, Namsan Mountain—along with Hangang River—is one of the main tourist attractions in Seoul. Despite its low altitude of only 265m, Namsan is characterized by the geographical aesthetics typical of Korean mountains and holds within its folds an array of historical and cultural treasures.

Some of these historical sites include: Guksadang, where the people of the Joseon Dynasty paid their respects to their ancestors; Bongsuje, a traditional communication system that used fire signals to send urgent messages across the city in times of great distress; and castle-like walls that line the trail. At the peak of the mountain is the famous Namsan Seoul Tower from which walkers can take a break and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city. Namsan also features 3 main tunnels that allow traffic to bypass some of the more mountainous areas.

The 442nd Turtle Marathon held on August 24 will run under the theme “Namsan Trail Walk-A-Thon with Foreign Tourists”. Participants will start off by meeting at the National Theater of Korea and proceed along the north circular route towards Seonggwak-gil (a fortress wall along the road), giving walkers a panoramic view of the city. The August event not only gives tourists a chance to interact with the locals, but is also a more active approach to enjoying Seoul’s natural ambience, cultural heritage, and historical depth.

Once the trail walk is completed, there will be a sweepstakes event with Korea’s renowned celebrity emcee Lee Sang-Yong (nationally known as Popeye) as the main host.

Since there is no prior registration nor any fees required to attend this event, anyone interested in joining the event can simply show up in comfortable walking attire.