[Harumanbo] Korea's Only Barrier-Free Hinoki Cypress Forest Trail... Eunpyeong Bongsan Forest Trail

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides walking courses for subscribers of the ‘One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day Thousand Characters’ newsletter. The One Day Ten Thousand Steps content is organized daily and monthly by themes, featuring courses recommended by Asia Economy, the government, local authorities, experts, and subscribers.

Today's recommended course is a forest trail on Bongsan, named after the Joseon Dynasty beacon tower that connected to Seoul's Muak beacon. It is a place where people of all ages, including wheelchair users and residents with strollers, can easily walk.

In Eunpyeong-gu's Bongsan, there is Korea's only barrier-free forest trail made with cypress wood decking. The path is flat to prevent wheels from getting stuck. The total distance is 9.05 km, taking about 2 hours to walk the entire trail, and approximately 3 hours for those with walking difficulties.

Scenery of the Barrier-Free Forest Trail in Bongsan, Eunpyeong-gu

The Bongsan barrier-free forest trail consists of two routes. One starts at the entrance behind Soongsil High School near Saejeol Station, and the other starts at the entrance behind Suguksa Temple.

Walking from the entrance behind Soongsil High School, you will encounter a cherry blossom tree resting area, and continuing along the path leads through a dense cypress forest to the Bongsan Observatory. The observatory, also called Bongsan Photo Island, is designed to offer a panoramic view of Seoul's excellent scenery.

Scenery of the Barrier-Free Forest Trail in Bongsan, Eunpyeong-gu

The second trail begins by climbing the cement path to the left of Suguksa Temple's main hall, leading to a spring at the entrance of the Bongsan hiking trail, where the barrier-free forest trail starts. This path connects Suguksa Temple and the mid-slope of Bongsan. The wooden deck walkway zigzags, making it longer than the existing hiking trail but with a gentle slope for easy ascent. Mint-colored benches and log seats placed along the way provide resting spots to pause and enjoy Bongsan.

After about 10 minutes on the wooden deck walkway, it connects to the existing hiking trail. Some sections of the barrier-free forest trail are still under construction, so stairs must be used from here. Once completed, it will connect the Bongsan summit to the cypress forest, totaling about 7.7 km. Continuing upward leads to the summit beacon tower of Bongsan.

Bongsan boasts beautiful scenery where every resting spot and viewpoint invites a pause. On clear days, you can enjoy spectacular views of Bukhansan’s Jokduribong and Hyangrobong peaks. It is also a key section of Seoul citizens’ favorite Seoul Dulle-gil Course 7 and the Eunpyeong Dulle-gil.