Hiking the Seoul City Wall Trail: A Full Course Adventure
Hello :)
I'm Danny, and I've recently rekindled my love for hiking! π
Since I wasn't familiar with the course, I joined my hiking club for a full course walk along the Seoul City Wall Trail. π€©
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β£ Seoul City Wall Trail β£
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- 2025.09.14 (Sun) -
β Hiking Date
- Date & Time: September 14, 2025 (Sun) 7:45 AM
- Meeting Point: Hansung University Station (Line 4), Exit 5 (Start and End)
β‘ Hiking Location and Course
- Location: Complete the Seoul City Wall Trail
- Course: Hyehwamun Gate -> Waryong Park -> Sukjeongmun Gate (Stamp) -> Cheongundae Rock (Photo) -> Changuimun Gate -> Inwangsan Mountain (Photo) -> Donuimun Gate (Stamp) -> Sungnyemun Gate (Stamp) -> Namsan Mountain (Photo) -> Namso Gate -> Gwanghuimun Gate -> Heunginjimun Gate (Stamp) -> Naksan Mountain (Photo) -> Hyehwamun Gate
Here's an image of the full Seoul City Wall course. γ
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I didn't even know there was a trail like this in Seoul until I joined this hike! π
The website provides detailed information about the hiking course and how to apply for the completion certificate, so check it out if you're curious. ^^
Today's hike started at Hyehwamun Gate!
Hyehwamun Gate (ζ ει)
Hyehwamun Gate is located on the northeastern side of the Seoul City Wall. Originally named Honghwamun Gate, it was renamed Hyehwamun Gate in 1511 during the reign of King Jungjong, as the main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace was also named Honghwamun. A gate tower was built during the reign of King Yeongjo. The gate tower was demolished in 1928, and the arched gateway in 1938. It was rebuilt north of its original location in 1994.
The Seoul City Wall Trail has well-maintained signposts, but I think it could still be confusing for beginners.
There were guide markers on the ground in various places.
Sadly, Waryong Park has been the site of many unfortunate events... I only knew about these incidents through the news. γ
On April 18, 2014, the suspect in the Sungkyunkwan University Myeongnyun Campus Library Mercury Terror Incident committed suicide in this park.
On July 9, 2020, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was found dead near here in an apparent suicide.
On December 27, 2023, actor Lee Sun-kyun was found dead in a parked car near here in an apparent suicide.
Wow, there are so many houses here... γ γ
Sukjeongmun Gate (θ ιι)
Sukjeongmun Gate is the north gate of the Seoul City Wall. It was initially named Sukcheongmun (θ ζ·Έι), but the name was later changed to Sukjeongmun (θ ιι). This is the only remaining gate with the fortress walls connected on both the left and right sides. The gate tower was rebuilt in 1976. From the Sukjeongmun Information Center, you can go to Samcheonggak or take the hiking trail known as the 'Kim Shin-jo Route' to Palgakjeong Pavilion and Haneul Maru on the Bugak Skyway.
The sky was so beautiful that day!
Cheongundae Rock
The fortress wall path is so pretty!
Changuimun Gate (ε½°ηΎ©ι)
Designated as Treasure No. 1881, Changuimun Gate is located at the meeting point of Inwangsan Mountain and Baegak Mountain. It is the only one of the Four Small Gates that still has its original Joseon Dynasty gate tower. The gate tower was destroyed during the Japanese invasions in 1592 and rebuilt in 1741 during the reign of King Yeongjo. When the gate tower was rebuilt, King Yeongjo hung a plaque with the names of the meritorious subjects who entered the capital through this gate during the Injo Restoration, in commemoration of the event. The plaque is still hanging there today. It is now more commonly called Jahamun Gate, a nickname given because the scenery near the gate is similar to that of Jahadong, a scenic spot in Gaegyeong (present-day Kaesong).
Inwangsan Summit / It's been over 10 years since I last came to Inwangsan... It brings back memories! π
Inwangsan is a mountain with many rocks, and it wasn't too bad for hiking. The view was great!
Namdaemun (Sungnyemun Gate) - This is the site of a tragic event where an arsonist in his late 60s, Chae Jong-gi, set fire to Sungnyemun Gate, a national treasure, on February 10, 2008, causing significant damage...
I was actually at the scene of the fire on my way home from work that day. It's already been over 10 years... Time really flies. γ γ
This is the entrance to N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain.
N Seoul Tower
The N Seoul Tower is an observation tower that stands tall on Namsan Mountain. At a height of 480m above sea level, it is a popular spot where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul. It was built in 1969 as a comprehensive radio wave tower transmitting TV and radio waves to the Seoul metropolitan area, and it was opened to the public in 1980. After extensive renovations, it was reborn as a complex cultural space, N Seoul Tower, in 2005. On the 2nd floor, you can find various stories related to the Seoul City Wall.
N Seoul Tower Observatory Hours: Monday-Friday/Sunday 10:00-23:00 | Saturday 10:00-24:00*You can find various stories about the Seoul City Wall on the 2nd floor (T2) of the N Seoul Tower Observatory.
A view of Seoul from just below the summit of Namsan Mountain.
Just a little further up is the summit of Namsan Mountain.
The love locks are a sure sign that you've reached the top of Namsan Mountain! γ γ
Seoul Tower, a symbol of reaching the summit! γ γ
Mokmyeoksan Beacon Mound
Designated as Monument No. 14, the Mokmyeoksan Beacon Mound was the final destination for beacon signals from all eight provinces of the Joseon Dynasty. Beacons were visual signals used to report the situation on the frontier, using smoke during the day and fire at night. In peacetime, one beacon was lit, and in times of emergency, two to five beacons were lit depending on the severity of the situation. The Mokmyeoksan Beacon Mound was established in 1423 during the reign of King Sejong and remained in use for over 500 years until 1895. The current beacon mound was reconstructed in 1993.
A panoramic view of Seoul from the summit of Namsan Mountain. That day, I could see Bukhansan Mountain and Dobongsan Mountain all at once! ^^ Good!!!
I don't know what this is... γ γ
Almost there... hehe. As I passed Dongdaemun Gate, I arrived at Naksan Park.
I arrived at Hyehwamun Gate, the starting point of today's hike.
The hike was over for today, and those who were going home went home, while those who were collecting their badges moved to receive them.
The badge on the left was received at Dongdaemun, and the one on the right was received at Hyehwa.
The purpose of today's hike was to receive that blue badge... I went without knowing, but I got it by chance.
Additionally, they printed out a pretty completion certificate... ^^ Of course, they print it out after completing the authentication and checking it. γ γ
Total distance: 22.6km γ
I walked at a leisurely pace without rushing. π π π π π π π π
And finally...
Completion Certificate γ γ γ A little boastful... γ γ γ
It seems like the city of Seoul is printing out the certificates for free to promote tourism. γ γ I honestly thought they would charge at least 1,000 won. γ γ γ
This is how I finished today's hike...
A hiking buddy I met on the trail tempted me to have dinner. γ γ γ
I had a simple meal at a lamb skewer restaurant and went home. The Seoul City Wall course wasn't bad, it was good. I might go again sometime. γ
I finished the day with a good meal and a lot of sweat. Good day! ^^
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