Top 3 Climbing Gyms in and around Seoul for Beginners
In recent years, climbing has evolved beyond a mere sport to become a lifestyle. It's highly effective as a workout, demanding strength, endurance, and problem-solving skills simultaneously. The sense of accomplishment it provides is a major draw.
For those new to climbing, deciding where to start can be daunting. In this article, I'll introduce three climbing gyms that I've personally experienced and carefully selected as being ideal for beginners.
These gyms offer environments suitable for beginners, while also possessing attractive features for climbers of all levels. I hope you find this guide helpful.
Puzzle Climbing (Namyangju)
Address: 15, Dasan Jungang-ro 19beon-gil, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, 4th floor
Hours: Weekdays 11:00 ~ 22:30 / Weekends 11:00 ~ 20:00
Closed: Every Monday
Parking: Free parking available (up to 2 hours / 500 KRW per 30 minutes thereafter)
Day Pass: 20,000 KRW (Local currency payment possible)
Difficulty Levels: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, Black, White
Puzzle Climbing, located in Namyangju, stands out with its well-balanced facilities that cater to both beginners and experienced climbers.
A key feature is the dedicated training wall. Climbing can be tiring for beginners due to unfamiliar movements and postures. A dedicated training wall allows you to learn the basics safely and without disturbing other climbers.
Another highlight is that it's an indoor climbing gym specializing in endurance training. The endurance wall isn't just a place to repeat easy routes; it's a training wall designed to gradually deplete your stamina while linking movements.
Puzzle Climbing is well-known for its endurance wall configuration, making it popular among intermediate and advanced climbers looking to focus on stamina training. It's even earned the nickname "Endurance 맛집" (Endurance 맛집 is a Korean slang similar to “a legendary place for endurance”).
The facilities are generally clean, and thanks to its location in Namyangju, you can enjoy climbing in a more relaxed and less crowded atmosphere than in Seoul.
Seoul Forest Climbing (Jongno)
Address: B1, 96, Supyo-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: Weekdays 11:00 ~ 23:00 / Weekends 10:00 ~ 21:00
Parking: No free parking (6,000 KRW for 3 hours / 4,000 KRW per hour thereafter)
Day Pass: 20,000 KRW (Seoul Pay payment possible)
Difficulty Levels: Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, Brown, Black
The second gym I'd like to introduce is Seoul Forest Climbing in Jongno. The biggest advantage of this gym is its spacious and pleasant environment.
Some smaller gyms can get crowded, making it difficult to even get on the wall, and ventilation can be poor. Seoul Forest Climbing, however, offers ample space, allowing beginners to attempt climbs without feeling pressured.
It's also renowned for its fun routes. With a variety of routes available for each difficulty level, you can enjoy climbing even if your skills are lacking. This is a significant advantage for beginners.
It's not just about climbing; you can experience a sense of accomplishment by piecing together movements like solving a puzzle. The workout naturally follows.
In terms of facilities, ventilation and cleanliness are well-maintained, making it comfortable to stay for extended periods. This is a good option to recommend for those who want to try climbing for the first time but don't know where to go.
PEAKERS Climbing (Jongno)
Address: B4, 5, Donhwamun-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 ~ 23:00 / Weekends 10:00 ~ 20:00
Parking: No free parking (3,000 KRW for 3 hours / 1,100 KRW per 10 minutes thereafter)
Day Pass: 20,000 KRW
Difficulty Levels: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, Gray, Black
Lastly, I'll introduce PEAKERS Climbing in Jongno. PEAKERS is one of the largest climbing gyms in Korea, boasting infrastructure that satisfies both beginners and advanced climbers.
First of all, the facility is quite large, featuring a variety of walls, including vertical walls and overhanging walls. It also has some walls dedicated to endurance training.
I've seen people taking lessons here, and I think this gym is suitable for building a solid foundation thanks to its systematic education, which starts with basic climbing movements and includes break falls. If you're a beginner, you can quickly adapt through the lesson program.
Also, this place manages rental shoes well. Some people worry about hygiene when renting general climbing shoes, but this place disinfects the shoes well, so you can use them in a clean condition.
However, PEAKERS Climbing in Jongno has high ceilings. So, people who are climbing for the first time may be nervous just by looking at the height of the gym, but the easy problems don't extend to the top of the wall, so you can experience them without any difficulty. Rather, once you build up some skill, the fun of climbing high walls will come to you in a bigger way.
All three gyms have their unique charms. Puzzle is specialized in training walls and endurance training, making it ideal for those who want to improve both their fundamentals and stamina.
Seoul Forest is suitable for those who are new to climbing and want to have fun, thanks to its spacious and pleasant environment and fun problem setting.
PEAKERS Jongno's strengths are its various courses that take advantage of the large gym, systematic training, and hygiene management. It's a good gym to gradually build your skills and take on challenges.
Climbing is more than just exercise; it's a battle with yourself and a sport that simultaneously improves concentration and stamina.
The gyms introduced here are places where beginners can start without any pressure, and at the same time, they can continue to improve their skills. If you are wondering where to have your first climbing experience, please refer to this guide.
Wishing you happy and safe climbing!
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