Dobongsan

Spanning Seoul's Dobong District and the cities of Uijeongbu and Yangju in Gyeonggi Province, Dobongsan is a mountain you can start climbing almost straight off the subway. Next to its highest peak, Jaunbong (739.5 m), the blade-like rock towers of Manjangbong (718 m) and Seoninbong (708 m) rise side by side, and to the west stands Obong, a row of five great boulders. Together with Bukhansan and Sapaesan, it is managed as part of Bukhansan National Park.

Ridges carved from granite

Dobongsan is made of Daebo granite that solidified underground in the Jurassic period and was gradually exposed by erosion. Unlike earthy hills, every peak here is a sweep of smooth rock face and oddly shaped boulders, while the valleys below are thickly wooded. At about 24 km² it is smaller than Bukhansan, but its trails are packed more densely as a result.

The peaks' names have stories of their own. Manjangbong means 'ten-thousand-fathom peak', because that is how high it looked to people in the past, while Seoninbong is well known among rock climbers. Yeoseongbong, halfway along the Songchu south ridge at 504 m, was named for the suggestive shape of its rock.

A climbers' mountain

Dobongsan is also regarded as a cradle of rock climbing in Seoul. Seoninbong alone has 37 climbing routes to its top, including the well-known 'Bat' route, and at weekends you can look up from the trail and see climbers on the rock. Clear-water valleys such as Dobong, Songchu and Obong lie around the foot of the mountain, so in summer a valley walk alone is refreshing. The mountain is so much a part of Seoulites' lives that a subway station is named after it.

The summit you can reach: Sinseondae

The highest peak, Jaunbong, is closed to ordinary hikers because it is too dangerous, so neighbouring Sinseondae (726 m) serves as the real summit. The top of Sinseondae has few footholds and a section where you haul yourself up on iron railings, so gloves and proper hiking boots are essential. If your knees or grip are weak, turn back at Madang Rock or below.

Academy and temples on the slopes

• Dobong Seowon: The site of a Confucian academy on the trail from the main entrance, honouring the reformer Jo Gwang-jo and the scholar Song Si-yeol. Along with Simgokseowon in Yongin, it is one of the key places associated with Jo Gwang-jo.
• Cheonchuksa: A temple partway along the classic route from Dobong Seowon to Madang Rock, regarded as the oldest temple in the area.
• Mangwolsa, Hoeryongsa and Wonhyosa: Older temples are scattered over the Uijeongbu side, so by choosing a different descent you can visit another one.

Classic routes

• Sinseondae and back: Dobongsan Station → Dobong Visitor Centre → Dobong Seowon → Cheonchuksa and Madang Rock → Sinseondae → return the same way. The steep rocky stretch from Madang Rock to Sinseondae takes a good 40–50 minutes; allow 4–5 hours in total.
• Traverse to Ui-dong: Continuing from Sinseondae via Uiam Rock down to Ui-dong takes about 6 hours.
• Half-day option: Descending from the Podae ridge saddle via Hoeryongsa to Hoeryong-dong makes a hike of around 3 hours 30 minutes.

Tripto tips

• Getting there: Leave Dobongsan Station (Lines 1 and 7) by Exit 1 and walk about 20 minutes up the restaurant street to the Dobong Visitor Centre.
• Difficulty: With so much bare rock, this is one of Seoul's mountains for intermediate and experienced hikers. If you are new to hiking, walking just to Dobong Seowon or the valley still gives you a good taste of the place.
• Best time: Mid-October to early November, when autumn colours set off the rock, and May, with fresh green leaves, are the finest seasons.
• Winter hiking: Days are short, so start early and bring crampons, poles, several thin layers, a hat and gloves. Iced-over rock is extremely slippery.
• Protecting nature: Stay on marked trails, do not feed wildlife and carry all your rubbish back down.
• Information: +82-2-954-2566.