Korea's mountains are steep, sharp, and steeped in history
In short: Nearly three-fourths of South Korea is mountainous, creating a landscape where ancient temples sit on vertical cliffs. While modern hiking trails offer accessible paths for beginners, these peaks still hold the physical intensity of old foot trails used for generations before industrialization.
The Korean peninsula's natural landscape underwent significant degradation during the Japanese colonial period and the subsequent Korean War. These eras saw the disappearance of dense forests, cultural assets, and key wildlife species—including foxes, long-tailed gorals, and Asiatic black bears—that once traversed the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. The restoration of these ecosystems began in earnest in 1967 with the designation of Jiri Mountain as the nation's first national park. The destruction of these natural habitats also resulted in the loss of significant cultural assets. These ecological changes fundamentally altered the biodiversity of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range.
Today, there are twenty-three designated national parks across Korea's mountains and seas. This conservation movement has successfully restored much of the region's former appearance over the last 57 years. For hikers, the terrain is characterized by steep and sharp peaks. While modern infrastructure like public transport, eateries, and digital mapping via Kakao and Naver have made these areas accessible, many routes still follow 'yet-gil' (old foot trails) that predate industrialization. These parks now attract a large number of visitors from both domestic and international locations. The restoration efforts have successfully returned many areas to their original state.
Navigating this landscape requires understanding specific seasonal regulations. To prevent fires, many parks implement closures for one to two months during the spring (typically February 15 to May 15) and fall (November 15 to December 15). Additionally, wild camping is strictly prohibited; hikers must use designated shelters or campgrounds. In urban centers like Seoul, these trails offer a unique intersection of nature and history, such as the Inwangsan trail which connects 600-year-old city walls with 18th-century fortresses. Highland trails often feature specific entry time limits to ensure hikers have enough duration for safety. For example, the Gwanaksan trail offers distinct routes for different skill levels like Dolsan Ridge and Jaun-am Ridge.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: People | National Parks of Korea 3/3 | Go Wild
- Also: See a new side of South Korea by hiking across it
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/nature-people-national-parks-of-korea-3-3-go-wild.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Conservation · More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics
