Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park below Beomeosa, walk up past the temple and take the trail behind it into the forest. A stony path, with long flights of steps, climbs steadily up the valley to Bukmun, the North Gate of Geumjeongsanseong, the old fortress whose walls run for kilometres along the ridges. From the gate the path climbs over open, rocky ground to the granite summit of Godangbong (고당봉), with views over Busan, the Nakdong River and the sea. Return the same way.
It is 5.2 km there and back with 427 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Easy: a steady climb on steps and stony paths, rockier near the top.
Geumjeongsan became a national park in March 2026, so the KNPS rules apply: keep to the marked trails, and no smoking or cooking. The summit rocks are steep and polished; take care when wet, and in winter carry crampons. A path near Naewonam hermitage is closed.
Bus 90 runs from Beomeosa station, on Busan Metro Line 1, to the temple; the temple car park charges a fee.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Godangbong, 801 m, is the summit of Geumjeongsan, Busan's home mountain
- Geumjeongsan became South Korea's 24th national park in March 2026, the first close enough to a city centre to be called an urban national park
- Geumjeongsanseong, whose North Gate the walk passes, is often called the largest mountain fortress in Korea
- Beomeosa, at the start, is one of the great temples of south-east Korea, founded in the Silla era
Summits on the way
- Godangbong 802 m
Getting there
Start: Beomeosa car park. 35.28410, 129.06989
Directions to the start
Google Maps Apple Maps KakaoMap Naver Map
To Nopo station: KakaoMap · Naver Map
KakaoMap and Naver Map, the maps Korea uses, give public transport from where you are.
By train: Nopo station is 2.3 km from the start.
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Nopo: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.