(Kimberly Kephart)
Hiking in Korea offers a variety of choices, but sometimes you don’t know what you are getting into. It can be tough at times to choose a location, and when you finally get there, you quickly realize how arduous the climb might be. However, a hike which you can do time and time again that is also fun for the whole family is Mt. Inwangsan.
I first stumbled upon Mt. Inwangsan when I was browsing Airbnb Experiences, which is one of my favorite resources to explore a new country or city. I was looking for a short hike near Seoul easily accomplished on a weekend day that would allow me to rise above the hustle and bustle of the big city while still enjoying a full 360-degree view of it.
So, I looked no further than Honey Trail Korea, a female-run company that can help you tackle the country’s trails. Lee, the owner of Honey Trail, had a listing that included her impressive hiking resume, including conquering the likes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Himalayas and the Alps. She also offered the assurance that she “doesn’t like to hike too fast in the mountains.” Instantly I knew she was perfect for me and booked my trip.
Mt. Inwangsan is in the central part of Seoul just outside Gyeoungbokgung Palace. From Gyeonbokgung Station Line 3 (Orange Line) Exit 1, it’s a straight walk towards the Inwangsan and Seoul City Wall trails. Look out for signboards to show you the way.
We met Lee outside the station exit at 5:30 p.m. and grabbed snacks before heading out. She recommended a kimbap and even some Cass beer to bring along with us.
“The views aren’t so bad with soju, kimbap and ramyeon,” she said.
As we started the hike along an ordinary street just outside the palace, Lee showed us Sajikdan and Dangun Seongjeon. She pointed out a tree with bullet holes from a past invasion by North Korean Special Forces and gave us a little history lesson as we made our way to the mountain. Lee also assured me that it was okay to breathe as heavily as I was because hiking in Seoul and in Korea can be tough.
As we made our way up to the trailhead, Lee mentioned the area would be crowded so we could be prepared. Inwangsan is a very popular mountain for locals year-round. Oftentimes it can be shoulder to shoulder, but I assure you that it is worth it. As we made our ascent up our first set of stairs, Namsan Tower and rooftops appeared below. While hiking along the fortress walls, Lee filled us in on what the outposts were that dotted the trail. She spoke about the 1968 incident where a unit of North Korean Special Forces infiltrated the Blue House, or Cheongwadae, and that the area was not re-opened until 1993.
As the hike went on, the sky transitioned from blue to purple as the sun set and the Seoul nightlife switched on providing a beautiful backdrop. Hikers around us grew quiet, with the exception of camera clicks as we watched busy Seoul below. Planes flew over us on their way to Incheon Airport and it made time stand still. Stars began to dot the purple sky, creating such a beautiful atmosphere.
As time went on, Lee broke us from our spell and told us we needed to start hiking down. She handed out headlamps and motioned where to go. She suggested we take Train Rock, which would lead us to Muakjae Station (Orange Line). A local hiking group was behind us, and at one point they offered us a cheer of “FIGHTING!” It was great and we exchanged laughs. Lee had mentioned she studied calligraphy and gave us a thoughtful and impressive gift of our names in Korean calligraphy.
Honey Trail is one of the few female-run hiking companies, and Lee told us that the desire to share Korea with visitors is what has driven her to continue despite hardships in running a business. While traveling, I think it’s important to help out small businesses like Lee’s, as this is how you get firsthand experiences with locals and a different perspective you might not have otherwise.
(Kimberly Kephart)
(Kimberly Kephart)
More information for Honey Trail Korea: website
Honey Trail Korea on Instagram: @honeytrailkorea
About the author: Kimberly Kephart is a passionate globetrotter as well as a seasoned Content Creator, Travel Coach, Kimberly shares her travel insights experiences and musings on life abroad www.kimberlykepharttravels.com and on Instagram as @kimberly_kp_travels
