How K-hiking is reaching new heights as tourists flock to Seoul’s urban mountain trails

Eighteen international hikers from diverse backgrounds gather outside exit 1 of Gwanaksan station to kick off the three-week “2026 Seoul Hiking Week: Autumn”. Their objective for day 1 is to climb Mount Hoam, one of the peaks on the larger Mount Gwanak in southern Seoul, an “extreme course” route designed to showcase the South Korean capital’s rugged urban terrain. Running until November 15, Seoul Hiking Week is centred around three mountains in the city: Mount Bukhan, Mount Bugak and Mount...