Hiking in Busan - Hwangnyeongsan Mountain

 


Located in the heart of Busan, Hwangnyeongsan Mountain offers some of the best views of the entire city. While it has several viewpoints, none provide a full 360-degree panorama, but from the different vantage points, you can see every part of Busan. The main observatory is accessible by car, but there are additional peaks and viewpoints that can only be reached on foot. The highest peak stands at 427 meters—not very tall, but since you start close to sea level, it’s still a bit of a climb.

Route map


1. Dead end with view; 2. Southern peak observatory; 3. Main peak observatory.

I started my hike from my hotel near Beomnaegol Station and descended to Seomyeon Station, though you could also choose to descend on the opposite side toward Gwangalli Beach. The first part of my walk took me through an area where an entire neighborhood was in the process of being demolished. It looked quite apocalyptic, but within a couple of years, it will likely transform into a shiny, modern district. From the very beginning of the trail, you’re rewarded with nice views of certain parts of Busan, and the vistas only improve as you climb higher.

At one point, I accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up at a dead end, but at least it came with a lovely view. After retracing my steps to the missed fork, I found the correct path. I first reached a lookout point on a southern peak standing at 392 meters, from where it was a short and easy walk to the main observatory. From the top, I could see rain falling in different parts of Busan and worried it might reach me, so after a brief stop, I began my descent via the shortest route to Seomyeon. Fortunately, I didn’t get caught in the rain, and the hike turned out to be a fantastic experience with breathtaking views of the city.

The entire hike took about three hours and was absolutely worth it for the stunning panoramas of Busan.




















































































































































































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