Buddha's 2550th Birthday - May 5, 2006

That night a rain storm swept through the peninsular and 2 days later, with the air fresh from the storm, climbed Gwanaksan. Gwanaknsan is a scramble to get to the top - there are ropes to help pull yourself up over the rocks. The trails were busy with hikers ranging anywhere from 5 years old to late 70s and perhaps older.
 

Travel Information

Jogyesa temple - on Ujeonggungno a few minutes walk from the north end of Insadong-gil . Closest subways are: anguk - line 3 exit 6; or jongak - line 1 - exit 2.

Bukansan - subway line 3 - stop gupabal - exit 1. Then bus number 704 (900 won) for 10-15 minutes. Tell the driver you are going to Bukansan and sit or stand close to the driver so he can tell you where to get off. (Or just follow the hordes of other people in hiking gear.) From the bus-stop it's a short 10 minute walk to the park entrance (1500 won fee.) The climb up to the Jungseongmun gate is strenuous, can be done with good sneakers in dry weather, although hiking boots would be more comfortable.

Gwanaksan - subway line 2 - stop Seoul National University - exit 3 (I have probably remembered the exit number correctly). Then take one of the many buses to Seoul University - 5 minutes 500 won. Walk through the university - there are multiple paths leading up Gwanaksan. (For example follow the road from the university main gates up the hill for 20 minutes, until it reaches the saddle and curves around to the left and back to the university. The trails then lead off to the right of the road. There is another trail leading from behind the small temple up on the hill behind the university.)
The climb is very strenuous and is best done in hiking boots as some of the walking/climbing is on grit-covered rock surfaces. It can be done in sneakers with a good grip however.