Soyosan hike info

Soyosan is only 587.5 m, yet it is the first name people mention for autumn colour in northern Gyeonggi. Get off at Soyosan, the last stop on Line 1, walk to the Iljumun gate and a stream soon runs alongside, leading to Jajaeam, the temple where the monk Wonhyo is said to have trained, and a waterfall.

The trails are short and signposted so thickly that first-timers rarely lose their way. Beyond Jajaeam come the three Baekundae, then the Knife Rock ridge, Nahandae, Uisangdae and the summit, Gongjubong. The rock ridge is brief, but a few spots need your hands. In late October and early November the whole valley turns red.

One subway line gets you there, so many climb in the morning and are down before lunch. Below the mountain in Dongducheon, restaurants line up for sanchae bibimbap, acorn jelly and pajeon. Expect the top to run 3-4 C cooler than the station and pack one extra thin layer.

From Seoul (RAIL)

From Busan, Daegu and others (RAIL)

Station to the trailhead (LOC)