Hiking in Busan - Seokbulsa Rock Temple

 


It's an easy hike offering some great views of Busan and a unique Buddhist temple with rock carvings, taking 3.5-4.5 hours. Starting from Geumgang Park, near Oncheonjang subway station (line 1), you can climb to a viewpoint atop the southern end of the Geumjeongsan mountain range in about one hour. There is also a lazy way, taking a cable car like I did, from where it is a short ascent to the viewpoint. The views from the cable car are actually better in my opinion, as you can see a larger area of Busan. I don't know what views you get if you hike up; there is a viewpoint along the way according to my map, but most of the path is in thick forest. From the viewpoint on the top, it is a short descent to a winding asphalt road that leads up to the Seokbulsa temple. But you don't have to walk on it, there is a path next to it in the forest. It's a 15-minute steep climb before you can enter the temple compound. From here, you can see a bit of Busan but not too much. However, the temple itself is very beautiful with its rock carvings, despite its small size. Getting back to town, the shortest way is to Mandeok subway station (line 3); it's about 2 kilometres, all downhill and in the forest. This line goes to Suyeong near Gwangalli Beach, if you want to relax next to the sea after the hike.

Route map


1. Oncheonjang subway station; 2. Cable car lower station; 3. Cable car upper station; 4. Viewpoint; 5. Restaurants; 6. Seokbulsa Rock Temple; 7. Mandeok subway station.

The way from Oncheonjang station to Geumgang Park.





Geumgang Park entrance. There is an air compressor at each entry/exit point to clean your shoes if they got too dusty! (In my opinion, if that bothers you, go to a shopping mall.)



The cable car ride. (KRW 7000 one way)















Short walk to the viewpoint.















Walking to the asphalt road, passing yoga benches, a cluster of restaurants and a Buddhist temple.
































Reaching the asphalt road. Next to it, starting from an open-air gym, there is a hiking trail.











Reaching the Seokbulsa Rock Temple.















































Descending to Mandeok station. 



















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