Bukhansan National Park

"Few people associate a wired city like Seoul with nature. However, South Korea’s capital is nestled amid 37 mountains, putting the great outdoors just a bus or subway ride away. Thanks to its location within the city, Bukhansan holds the Guinness World Record for the national park with the most visitors per square foot. You’ll find numerous trails of varying difficulty leading past temples, ancient fortress walls, waterfalls, and golden Buddha statues. The park is also home to Baegundae, Seoul’s highest peak, which offers a challenging but fun day-hike with a perfect picnic spot and bird’s-eye views of the sprawling metropolis."

"Don’t let Seoul’s concrete towers fool you, the tallest structures in the land are the verdant mountains that envelop the city. The trails here offer hikes that range from leisurely strolls to gruelling feats of strength. On weekends the capital’s denizens sport their characteristically colourful branded clothing, grab telescopic trekking poles and fill their backpacks with snacks to share on the way, including rice cakes and makgeolli (rice wine). For the adventurous, Seoul’s highest peak in Bukhansan National Park, reaching almost 850 metres, is worth the challenge. Or for a satisfying view of downtown that won’t wear you out, walk the Seoul City Wall along the 340-metre-high Bugaksan. The latter is near the presidential residence so you’ll need to show ID."