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Gratwanderer
Lifestyle Blog

Deungsan: why all of Korea goes hiking on weekends

Around two thirds of South Korea is mountainous. No wonder hiking is a national pastime, with its own fashion, its own food and its own rituals.

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Deungsan literally means “climbing a mountain”. In South Korea it is one of the most popular pastimes, across all generations.

Mountains on the doorstep

Rocky, wooded mountains close to Seoul

Photo: Christof Görs / Unsplash

Even in Seoul, trails start in the middle of the city. Bukhansan National Park is so close that you can reach a summit after work.

Colour on the mountain

First-time hikers in Korea are struck by the clothing: bright jackets, carefully matched outfits. A hike is also a social occasion, and a shared meal afterwards is part of it.

Room for your own experience with Korean hiking culture.

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