"I’ve hiked over 25 mountains in the greater Seoul area, reaching every summit, so I can confidently say that Achasan (아차산) is one of my favorite rocky mountains. What sets it apart is the stunning viewpoints along the trail—not just at the top like many other hikes. The climb is relatively short too—about 45 to 50 minutes to the summit, even with a few leisurely stops to take in the views or sip some coffee.

That’s exactly why I keep coming back on weekends.

From this rocky ridge, you get panoramic views of Seoul in all directions. On a clear day, you can see far into the north, south, and east. But honestly, no photo or video can truly capture the beauty of this mountain and the breathtaking scenery it offers.

There are several trail entrances, but I personally love starting from the 어울림정원 (Eoullim Garden) entrance. The trail from there climbs steeply—almost a 45-degree rocky path—leading up to 팔각정 (Palgakjeong Pavilion). Along the way, there are multiple scenic spots, so make sure to pause, look back, and take in the views around you—not just what’s ahead."

J Park

"well paved and clearly marked hiking trail that is gentle and suitable for people of all ages.great views on the top with most of seoul and surroundings. maple trees are especially lovely in fall.walk up from walker hill."

misotam

"Compared to many popular mountains in Seoul like Bukhansan or Dobongsan, Achasan can be viewed as a piece of cake in terms of the level of difficulty and time required. There are a few access points and I accessed it via (...). I made it to the Goguryeojeong pavilion in 10 minutes and reached the Achasan peak in just shy of an hour. The hike comprises of a combination of wooden stairs, rocks and dirt trails. It's fairly easy without challenges of steep steps. There are a few picturesque lookouts along the way so be sure to stop and snap a few photos. The peak, however, is rather disappointing because it's just a stone plaque that tells the height of the mountain without any breathtaking views of the type that you usually get on mountain peaks. As the signage marking the peak is diminutive and easy to miss, many people stop there to take a photo of the signage as proof of hiking to the peak From Achasan you can access Yongma-san, another mountain located less than 2 kilometers away. The interesting part of the hike was the presence of Goguryeo dynasty-era forts, especially how they remained in tact from the Gorguryeo dynasty until the 1990s when historical excavation works took place. An interesting part of Achasan's history. If you hike beyond the peak towards Yongmasan, you will come across the third and fourth forts shortly. The forts are closed to public viewing so don't expect to see any historical relics on display, but rather just signage explaining the history of the fort and the items excavated. Overall, a good hiking trail for beginners. Parking is a huge problem here though. I ended up parking in the market area, which is about a 10 minute walk away but you can use the chance to discover the endless number of Korean eateries that line the street that leads to the access points to the mountain."

Michelle Ng