Seunghaksan Mountain

Seunghaksan (496 m), on the border of Saha-gu and Sasang-gu in Busan, is the mountain whose upper slopes turn silver with pampas-like silver grass every autumn. Below you spread the Nakdong River estuary, Eulsukdo Island and the sea off Dadaepo, and many people climb in the late afternoon to watch the sun set beyond the river mouth. It is known locally as the hill behind Dong-A University and is so close to the city that you can start hiking straight from the subway.

A mountain like a flying crane

Legend has it that at the end of the Goryeo period the monk Muhak, travelling the country to study its mountains, came here and thought the ridge so lofty and powerful that it looked like a crane taking off; hence the name Seunghak, "riding a crane". Its height is given as 496 m or 497 m depending on the source. To the east it connects with Gudeoksan and Siyaksan, and to the north with Eomgwangsan, forming the mountain spine of western Busan; its forest covers about 498 hectares.

What to see

• Silver grass fields: the broad ridge below the summit is covered in silver grass. When it blooms from mid-October into November, the whole mountain shimmers.
• Eoksae Sunset Observatory: with open views over the Nakdong estuary and the western sky, it is the place for sunset. On very clear days you can even make out the peaks of Tsushima across the sea.
• Forest paths: Jeseokgol Forest Park, a cypress grove and a cedar meditation and healing forest keep the trails shaded even in summer.
• Rest stops: eight mineral springs, five viewing decks and shelters such as Seunghak Munhwa Maruteo are spread around the mountain, and there is a weather station near the summit.

Five forest trails

There are five main forest routes. With several trailheads, it is easy to go up one way and come down another:

1. Silver grass trail (Course 1): Dong-A University Nakdong car park → Eoksae Sunset Observatory → Dongju College, 6.5 km / 130 min
2. Silver grass trail (Course 2): Jeseokgol Forest Park → Seunghak Munhwa Maruteo → Seo-gu flower village, 6.5 km / 130 min
3. Healing forest trail (Course 3): Jeseokgol Forest Park → Eoksae Sunset Observatory → Dongju College, 7.0 km / 120 min
4. Mineral spring trail (Course 4): a 4.0 km / 100 min loop from Jeseokgol Forest Park via the Seunghak, Hansaem and Jangsucheon springs
5. Easy forest trail (Course 5): Dong-A University Nakdong car park → cypress grove → rock site → Jeonggaksa spring, 3.0 km / 70 min

Tripto tips

• Time needed: about 2 hours to visit the silver grass fields and the observatory, 2–3 hours for a route over the ridge.
• Best time: late October to early November, when the silver grass peaks, and late afternoon for the sunset. The trails get dark quickly after sundown, so bring a torch for the descent.
• Getting there: for the Dong-A University side, take Busan Metro Line 1 to Hadan Station, exits 4 or 6, then the Dong-A University shuttle bus to the main gate. For the Jeseokgol side, go to Dangni Station exit 1 on Line 1 and take Saha-gu village bus 2 or 2-1 to the Dongwon Venest 2nd complex stop.
• Combine with: Gamcheon Culture Village is close by, so you can spend the morning in the village and the late afternoon watching the sunset from Seunghaksan.