“I ORIGINALLY planned to travel this summer,” is a phrase I often heard as we entered summer break, as many people, including myself, had to cancel their summer plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In hopes of escaping from the mundane everyday life to enjoy some fresh air, my friend and I decided to go hiking on the two mountains near our Sinchon campus—Mt. Ansan and Mt. Inwang.

Mt. Ansan

   Located right behind the Sinchon campus is Mt. Ansan, a beginner-friendly mountain with an altitude of 295.9 m. You can get there by taking bus 7024 from Line 2 Sinchon station to Bongwonsa-gil station, or by walking from Line 3 Muakjae or Dongnimmun station. When you enter Mt. Ansan, you’ll notice two main roads: Ansan Jarak-gil trail* and Green trail. Ansan Jarak-gil trail is Korea’s first “barrier-free mountain trail with gentle slopes**,” allowing hikers of all ages to stroll without any trouble. It is also accessible to those who are on wheelchairs or those who bring baby carriages, making this trail one of the most well-known Jarak-gil*** trails in Seoul. Even on a hot summer day, the metasequoia and pine trees gently shield the sunlight with their green branches and leaves. You can take this trail whenever you want to take a casual walk whilst forgetting that we live in a metropolis.

   On the other hand, Green trail offers more dirt trails and a variety of forests, leading closer to the summit of Mt. Ansan. If you want to hike amongst the trees and really feel the nature, then this trail is the one for you! On your way up, there are mineral springs, a beacon fire station, and the Muak Pavilion. During my hike, I spotted groups of hikers sitting around the pavilion, drinking water and eating fruit they packed from home. With the cool breeze underneath the metasequoia trees, it is the perfect way to take a break as you reach for the summit. When my friend and I got to the summit, the view was absolutely breathtaking. Surrounded by the clear blue sky, the fresh green trees, and the panoramic view that stretches from Mt. Inwang all the way to Yeouido, we immediately forgot about all the sweat and complaints during our hike and stood there in awe. Whether you want to take a complete hike along the 8 km Jarak-gil trail, or a casual walk for however long you’d like, I suggest you walk to Mt. Ansan and take a moment to re-energize.

A healthy meal

   After a few hours of hiking, you would need to fill up your stomach. As for us, we decided to take a 30-minute walk to Yeonnam-dong, located southwest of Mt. Ansan. It used to be a quiet residential neighborhood, but is now one of Seoul’s hottest go-to areas for good food and dessert, with every alley housed with themed restaurants and cafes serving different specialties. Since we just finished our morning hike, we decided to eat a healthy superfood meal at café You need my yogurt. I tried the medium-sized Granola Bowl for ₩8,500, where they served their homemade Greek Yogurt with various fruit slices on the side. Their large space, warm-colored interior, and quiet environment made me feel so calm and cozy compared to the usually crammed restaurants and cafes.

   Another superfood that I highly recommend after a hike is a poke bowl. Slow, Cali, also in Yeonnam-dong, is very famous for its nutritious and delicious Hawaiian style poke bowl, with main toppings such as salmon, tuna, octopus, and tofu. I tried the Classic Salmon poke in medium size for ₩9,700. For every order, you can choose your base between green rice, brown rice, or only kale salad. You can also add asparagus, mushroom, seasoned seaweed, or avocado, with an extra ₩1,000 for each. If you decide to check this out, try not to go during peak hours—you don’t want to wait an hour just like I did.

Mt. Inwang

   Just before sunset, after an energizing meal, you should head to Mt. Inwang. This is also located behind our Sinchon campus, near the Line 3 Muakjae or Gyeongbokgung station. I walked from Gyeongbokgung station to Changuimun Gate for around 30 minutes. On my way, I came across a few well-known sites, one of which was a statue of Korea’s national animal—a tiger, with the text “A tiger entered Mt. Inwang,” reflecting how tigers used to roam around Mt. Inwang****. I also went past Poet Yun Dong-ju’s Hill, and a Literature Museum dedicated to him. Poet Yun lived near Seochon neighborhood as a Yeonhui***** student, and walked along these trails to get his inspiration for his poems******; on the hill, there is also a stone monument inscribed with his most famous poem “Prologue.” As I stood on the hill, I watched the sun slowly set its way along the Seoul skyline.

   Near Changuimun Gate, you’ll spot two main trails: Inwangsan Jarak-gil trail and the Fortress Wall of Seoul. Just like Mt. Ansan’s Jarak-gil trail, Mt. Inwang’s Jarak-gil trail also offers a beginner-friendly trail with gentle slopes. It’s surrounded by tall green trees on both sides, with bright street lamps to guide us through the trail. The Fortress Wall of Seoul, originally built in 1396, is 18.6 km long, and follows the ridges of Mt. Bugak, Mt. Naksan, Mt. Namsan, and Mt. Inwang*******. It served as the city wall around the Hanyang capital during the Chosun dynasty, and remains the perfect site to view the breathtaking Seoul skyline. This trail mostly consists of stony staircases leading to the rocky summit, with Seoul’s downtown to your left. You’ll be able to marvel at the sunset, with both Namsan Tower and the Lotte Tower along the skyline. As I stood on the Fortress Wall of Seoul and watched the night sky, I am reminded of how beautiful Seoul is. After the sunset, as the Fortress Wall starts to light up, you can enjoy the illuminated night view as you head down from the summit. Whenever you want to take a casual stroll, or just gaze at the awe-inspiring sunset and the panoramic night view of our city, I recommend you go to Mt. Inwang to finish off your long day.

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   As the weather starts cooling down, and as our fall semester begins, mountains would be the perfect getaway for students like us to relieve our stress, reconnect with nature, and stay healthy.

*Mt. Ansan Jarak-gil trail is directly accessible from the Sinchon Campus; The most noticeable path is near the MuAk dormitories.

**Korea To Do

***Jarak-gil: A trail following the mountain edges

****The Korea Times

*****Yeonhui University: Nowadays known as Yonsei University

******Visit Seoul

*******Seoul City Wall