Blogs from Seoul, South Korea, Asia - page 7

Gwanaksan is a popular hiking spot in Seoul. There are many trails and it is easily accessible from various subway stations. I started from Sadang station and came out of exit six. I took the same route I had done previously, when walking the Seoul Trail, and headed up through the streets of small apartment buildings to reach the start of the trail. Last time the steep driveway up to the temple was a killer, but this time it wasn't too bad. I headed past the temple and instead of heading around the base of the mountain headed upwards. The mountain is only 629 metres high, so the trails aren't too long. The trail we took up was quite steep and rocky. However, it wasn't too bad. There were some cool rocks that had a lot ... read more

Today's trail would take me 18 kilometres from Seoksu Station to Gupabal Station walking along Anyang Stream. The course is entirely flat and follows the direction of the stream as it flows into the Han River. It is estimated that the route will take four hours and thirty minutes. It is divided into two parts; Seoksu Station to Guil Station which is 7.8 kilometres and then Guil Station to Gupabal Station, which is 10.2 kilometres. I came out of Seoksu Station at exit two. The stamp box is located right next the station, so I got my first stamp of the day. I followed the trail right and came out near the stream. I was walking next to an old style villa neighbourhood on my right and the stream was down below on the left. It ... read more

Today's trail would take me around Daemosan and Umyeonsan mountains, both these mountains are pretty small, I think about 350 metres and 100 and odd metres respectively. I would be walking through Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu. The trail is 17.9 kilometres long and should take about eight hours. It is rated as a medium difficulty course. It is divided into two section Suseo Station to Yangjae Citizens' Forest, which is ten kilometres and then Yangjae Citizen' Forest to Sandang Station, which is 7.9 kilometres. I came out of Suseo Station at exit six. I followed walked a couple of paces and saw the first stamp box and the start of the trail to my right. I have hiked here a few times before so I knew exactly where I was. This trail starts with a step of ... read more

I exited Hwarangdae Station at exit one. I turned around and went straight in the opposite direction, you can see the red stamp box from across the road, set in a little park. I stamped my little booklet, it feels good to have another stamp, one step closer to completing this journey. Then I looked for the trail marker, which indicated that I should go to the right and then down some steps. I started walking around 8:45 am, a nice early start. This is the second course in the Seoul Trail or Dulle Gil stretching 12.6 kilometres from Hwarangdae Station to Gwangnaru Station. My stamp book and map said that it would take around 5 hours 10 minutes to complete the course and it was a medium level course. After coming down the steps, I ... read more

I left Denver at 12:10 on a Monday afternoon and landed in Seoul at 8:50 on a Tuesday night. There was no Tuesday for me. Due to my late arrival, I had to find a bus. After asking at the transportation desk and failing twice at the ATM before I succeeded, I managed to jump onto the bus as it was pulling away. Only to have it stop about 10 meters later. I got to the station and was able to hop on someone's hotspot long enough to order an Uber to take me to Brett's. Cab drivers in Korea don't speak English. My cab driver didn't follow his GPS, although it did seem to get us there faster. My favorite part of the cab ride was when we would get to a road where we ... read more