Hidden forest eco-paths, Bugak Haneul-gil Trails

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Bugaksan Mountain

Hidden forest eco-paths, Bugak Haneul-gil Trails

Published Date : Dec 22, 2022 / Edited Date : Oct 12, 2023

These trails link the foothills of Bugaksan Mountain with the ridges surrounding the
former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae, and connect to the hiking trails
in the depths of the mountain along the popular Bugak Skyway and trail. Decades
of no human contact have left the pristine natural ecosystems flawlessly preserved.
A tranquil and relaxed journey awaits with the magical energy of the deep forest.

Hiking route

Haneul Hanmadang Jeongneung Royal Tomb Damojeong Pavilion Haneulgyo Bridge Haneul Observatory Hogyeongam Rock Nammaru Gyegokmaru Seomaru Source of Seongbukcheon Stream Seongbuk Observatory Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion Bugaksan Access Gate 3 Café Sanmotungi Bugaksan Access Gate 1 Changuimun Gate

Total travel distance 9km

Average travel time 2 hours 50 minutes

Difficulty advanced

COURSE MAP

A diagram showing the route of the Bugak Sky Trail course, the 8th course of Mt. Bukak. The difficulty of the section from Haneulhanmadang, the starting point, to Jeongneung is easy, the section from Jeongneung to Damojeong is easy, the section from Damojeong to Haneulgyo is of normal difficulty, the section from Haneulgyo to Haneul Observatory is easy, the section from Sky Observatory to Hogyeongam The section difficulty is normal, the section difficulty from Hogyeongam to Nammaru is normal, the section difficulty from Nammaru to the valley ridge is difficult, the section difficulty from the valley ridge to West Maru is difficult, the section difficulty from West Maru to the Seongbuk Stream source is difficult, Seongbuk Stream The section from the origin to Seongbuk Observatory is difficult, the section from Seongbuk Observatory to Bugak Octagonal Pavilion is easy, the section from Bugak Octagonal Pavilion to Bugak Mountain Entrance 3 is difficult, the section from Bugaksan Mountain Entrance No. 3 to Cafe Mountain Corner is easy, Cafe San The section difficulty from the corner to Bukaksan Gate 1 is easy, and the section from Bukaksan Gate 1 to Changuimun, the destination, is easy.

A graph showing the change in altitude between the 8 courses of Mt. Bukak, the Bukak Sky Trail course. Total length 9 km. The starting point, Haneulhanmadang, is about 0 km away and about 140 meters high. The distance to Jeongneung is about 0.8 km, and the altitude is about 171 m. Damojeong is about 2.1 kilometers long and the altitude is about 225 meters. The sky bridge is about 3 kilometers long, and the altitude is about 280 meters. The distance to the Sky Observatory is about 3.1 kilometers, and the altitude is about 300 meters. The distance of Hogyeongam is about 3.3 kilometers, and the altitude is about 320 meters. The distance of Nammaru is about 3.7 kilometers, and the altitude is about 280 meters. The distance to the crest of the valley is about 3.9 kilometers, and the altitude is about 200 meters. The distance to Seomaru is about 4 kilometers, and the altitude is about 250 meters. The distance from the source of the Seongbuk Stream is about 4.4 km, and the altitude is about 160 m. Seongbuk Observatory is about 5 kilometers long and about 270 meters high. The distance of Bukak Octagonal Pavilion is about 5.7 kilometers, and the altitude is about 290 meters. The distance to the No. 3 entrance to Bugaksan Mountain is about 7.2 kilometers, and the altitude is about 210 meters. The distance to the mountain corner of the cafe is about 8 kilometers, and the altitude is about 170 meters. The distance to the No. 1 entrance to Bugaksan Mountain is about 7.2 kilometers, and the altitude is about 210 meters. The distance to Changuimun, the destination, is about 9 kilometers, and the altitude is about 110 meters.

INFORMATION

About the trail

The trail spans over 9 kilometers and is rather steep. Be extra careful when descending from Hogyeongam Rock to the source of Seongbukcheon Stream and up from there to Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion.

Shelter and hiking tips

Gyegokmaru Shelter has no noise, worries, and mobile phone coverage, making it a great place to clear the mind and soak in the sky above and hills below.

Transportation

Take the Seongbuk No. 1 bus at the bus stop Samseongyo Bridge and Seongbuk Cultural Center outside Exit 6 of Hansung University Station, Seoul Metro Line 4. Get off at the stop Seongbuk-gu Community Center and walk up the road for 268 meters to reach Haneul Hanmadang.

SPOTS

Source of Seongbukcheon Stream

Seongbukcheon Stream is a tributary of the Han River that flows down from Bugaksan Mountain and merges into Cheonggyecheon Stream. Its source is at the end of Bugak Haneul-gil Trail 2. The source of Seongbukcheon Stream, located under the "Crayfish Swimming Bridge," is a habitat for various waterside plants, birds, and insects, and is used as an experiential ecological learning center.

Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion

This octagonal structure that sports the traditional Hanok style 342 meters above sea level offers views of the Bukhansan Mountain peaks of Bohyeonbong, Munsubong, and Bibong to the north and those of Namsan Mountain and the Seoul metropolis to the south. The Bugaksan trails and observatories have limited opening hours, but Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion is open 24 hours.

Café Sanmotungi

This café on Bugaksan Mountain was the filming site of the popular K-drama Coffee Prince. The entrance is just short of Bugaksan Access Gate 1 on the way down from Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion to Changuimun Gate. Visit at night to see the illuminated fortress walls on Bugaksan.

MORE INFO

Once back at Changuimun Gate upon descent, continue to walk from Buam-dong to Inwangsan Dulle-gil to explore Inwangsan Course 2 around Seoul City Wall and Course 4 around Buam-dong.

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