Dobongsan hike info

Dobongsan is a rock mountain on the northern edge of Seoul, straddling Dobong-gu, Uijeongbu and Yangju. Its highest point, Jaunbong, is 740 m, but the mountain is remembered for its face: Jaunbong, Manjangbong and Seonindae stand as one wall of granite. Right beside them is Sinseondae, the ledge where hikers stand and look up at all three. The top of Jaunbong itself is closed to ordinary visitors because of accidents, so for most people Sinseondae is the summit.

The usual route starts at Dobongsan subway station. You walk past the food street to the ranger station, pass Dobong Seowon and Cheonchuksa temple, rest on the broad slab of Madang Rock, then pull yourself up iron rails to Sinseondae. From Mangwolsa station on the Uijeongbu side, a quieter path follows the Wondobong valley to Mangwolsa temple and climbs to Podae ridge, which links Dobongsan with Sapaesan; the rocky Y-gully then leads up beneath Sinseondae.

Autumn colour against the grey rock is the best moment, and winter draws photographers for snow on the stone. There are rails and steps on the rock sections, but they get slick when wet or frozen. Expect the top to feel 3-5 C colder than the street because of the wind.

From Seoul (SUB)

From Busan, Daegu and elsewhere (KTX)

To the trailhead (LOC)