Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the public car park by the Dobongsan Ipgu bus stop, walk up the lane to the Dobongsan Visitor Support Centre and on past the site of Dobong Seowon, an old Confucian academy. The path follows the valley through woods to Dobong Shelter, then climbs more steeply past the turning to Seokguram hermitage and the mountain rescue post. The final stretch to Sinseondae (신선대) is a steep climb on steps and rock with handrails, below the granite towers of Seoninbong, Manjangbong and Jaunbong. Return the same way.
It is 7 km there and back with 631 m of ascent; allow about 4 hours. The grade is Moderate: a good valley path, then a steep, rocky last half-kilometre.
Jaunbong, a few metres higher than Sinseondae, is for roped climbers only; walkers stop at Sinseondae's viewpoint. Keep to the signed KNPS trails: unofficial paths are closed and carry fines. Trails can be entered until 17:00 from March to November and 16:00 in winter, and the steps are icy in winter, so carry crampons.
Dobongsan station, on subway Lines 1 and 7, is about half a kilometre from the start. The car park is run by Dobong-gu and 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
- Sinseondae, 726 m, is the highest point of Dobongsan open to walkers; Jaunbong beside it is for rock climbers
- Dobongsan is part of Bukhansan National Park, on Seoul's north-eastern edge
- Dobong Seowon, passed early on, was a Confucian academy founded in the 16th century and is being restored
- Seoninbong, Manjangbong and Jaunbong, the granite towers around Sinseondae, are well-known climbing crags
Summits on the way
- Seoninbong 693 m · passed close by
- Manjangbong 716 m · passed close by
- Jaunbong 740 m · passed close by
- Sinseondae 726 m
Getting there
Start: Dobongsan public car park. 37.68756, 127.04065
Directions to the start
Google Maps Apple Maps KakaoMap Naver Map
To Dobongsan station: KakaoMap · Naver Map
KakaoMap and Naver Map, the maps Korea uses, give public transport from where you are.
By train: Dobongsan station is 0.5 km from the start.
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Dobongsan: 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.