Travel
Seoul’s first temple forest ‘Shared Forest’ opens to the public at Hoapsa
haps Magazine Korea
April 30, 2025
(Seoul Metropolitan Government)
Seoul City has created its first “shared forest” on temple grounds, opening 1,500 square meters of forest owned by Hoapsa Temple in Geumcheon-gu to the public as a new forest leisure space.
This marks the first time a traditional temple forest has been officially made accessible to all citizens through a free-use land agreement.
Located near Seoul Trail Course 12 and a major hiking route up Hoamsan Mountain, the Hoapsa Temple Forest is expected to serve as a green healing space in Seoul’s under-served southwestern region.
Unlike typical hiking paths, this forest has been reimagined to provide cultural and wellness programs for all age groups.
The newly developed site includes themed zones such as a meditation shelter, forest culture stage, children’s forest playground, and scenic viewing area.
Two specialized gardens—a traditional tile garden using reclaimed roof tiles and a colorful wildflower garden—add cultural and ecological charm.
Seoul also plans to complete a similar healing trail at Hwagyesa Temple in July and expand public access to ecologically and culturally significant temple forests citywide.