Favorite sunrise spot, Dobongsan–Sinseondae Trail

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Bukhansan National Park

Favorite sunrise spot, Dobongsan–Sinseondae Trail

Published Date : Dec 19, 2022 / Edited Date : Oct 11, 2023

Jaunbong Peak (740.2 meters) is the tallest peak of Dobongsan Mountain,
but access to the steep rock cliffs is restricted. Sinseondae Peak, standing
opposite Jaunbong, is considered the de facto summit of the mountain. This trail
is the shortest way up to Sinseondae, a favorite spot to see the sunrise among early morning hikers.

Hiking route

Dobong Visitor Center Dobongseowon Confucian Academy Dobong Shelter Madangbawi Rock Seoninbong Peak Side Road Sinseondae Peak Seoninbong Peak Side Road Mountain Rescue Team Dobong Shelter Dobongseowon Confucian Academy Dobong Visitor Center

Total travel distance 6.3km

Average travel time 2 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty average

COURSE MAP

Bukhansan National Park Course 6, Dobongsan Sinseondae Course A diagram showing the route of movement. The section from Dobong Exploration Support Center, the starting point, to Dobong Seowon is of easy difficulty, the section from Dobong Seowon to Dobong Shelter is of normal difficulty, the section from Dobong Shelter to Madangbawi Rock is of normal difficulty, the section from Madangbawi Rock to Seoninbong’s side road is difficult, Seoninbong’s side road The section from Seonseondae to Sinseondae is difficult, the section from Seonseondae to the side of Seoninbong is difficult, the section from the side of Seoninbong to the special mountain rescue team is normal, the section from the special mountain rescue team to Dobong Shelter is normal, and the section from Dobong Shelter to Dobong Seowon The difficulty level is easy, and the section difficulty from Dobong Seowon to the destination, the Dobong Visitor Support Center, is easy.

A graph showing the change in altitude between the routes of movement in Dobongsan Sinseondae Course, the 6th course of Bukhansan National Park. Total length 6.3 km. The starting point, the Dobong Exploration Center, is about 0 km away and the altitude is about 60 meters. Dobong Confucian Academy is about 1 km long and about 120 meters high. The Dobong Shelter is about 1.7 kilometers long and about 210 meters high. The distance to Madangbawi Rock is about 2.5 kilometers, and the altitude is about 410 meters. The distance on the side of Seoninbong Peak is about 3 kilometers, and the altitude is about 610 meters. The distance of Sinseondae is about 3.2 kilometers, and the altitude is about 700 meters. The distance on the side of Seoninbong Peak is about 3.4 kilometers, and the altitude is about 640 meters. The distance to the special mountain rescue team is about 4.1 kilometers, and the altitude is about 350 meters. The Dobong Shelter is about 4.6 kilometers long and about 240 meters high. Dobong Confucian Academy is about 5.2 kilometers long and about 160 meters high. The destination, the Dobong Exploration Center, is about 6.3 kilometers long and about 60 meters high.

INFORMATION

About the trail

The climb from Seonin Shelter to Sinseondae Peak is extremely steep. Elderly hikers and those with weak knees or ankles are advised to exercise caution on this course.
The line of hikers waiting to scale Sinseondae can be up to 50 meters long on weekends and public holidays. So going on a weekday is highly recommended.

Shelter and hiking tips

Take sufficient time to recover at Seonin Shelter before ascending Sinseondae Peak, as the crawl up the steep rock face can be exhausting.

Transportation

Take Exit 1 at Dobongsan Station, Seoul Metro Line 1 (Gyeongwonseon), and walk about 20 minutes toward the Dobongsan Station Intersection to reach Dobong Visitor Center.

SPOTS

Dobongseowon Confucian Academy

Dobongseowon, founded in 1573, is Seoul’s only seowon (Confucian academy). It honors the Joseon-era neo-Confucian scholar Jo Gwang-jo. Spirit tablets of Jo and philosopher and politician Song Si-yeol are enshrined here. The academy was razed in 1871 under a decree abolishing all seowon, but was restored in 1971.

Sinseondae Peak

Standing opposite Jaunbong, this peak at the top shows the scenery of Dobongsan Mountain meld with views of downtown Seoul. The climb up to Sinseondae is steep, so hikers are advised to use the installed handrails. Sinseondae is also popular spot to see the sunrise.

Seoninbong Peak

Standing 708 meters high, this granite peak has a sheer rock face of around 200 meters high and 500 meters wide. Seoninbong is one of the “three brother peaks” together with Jaunbong and Manjangbong. With a name meaning “a peak where Taoist hermits undergo spiritual training,” Seoninbong requires rock-climbing equipment to climb.

MORE INFO

The peaks of Dobongsan— Manjangbong, Seoninbong, Jubong, Obong, Uiam, and Jaunbong—attract numerous rock climbers.
One of the 35 mountain cabins built around Korea in the 1970s, Dobong Shelter used to be called the “Dobongsan Mountain Cabin.” Among the cabins built around the time, it is the only civilian-occupied cabin that accommodates hikers. The place is currently also used as a hiking school.

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