Elevation Profile
Difficulty by Section
Total round trip approx. 9.5km · 4~5 hours · Songchu Valley round trip
Subway Line 3 Gupabal Station → Bus 34 → Get off at Songchu Valley (approx. 30 min).
Walk 5 minutes to Obong Ranger Station. Check restrooms and information map at the ranger station.
Gentle valley path. Pass through Uldae Wetland wooden deck. Well-maintained signposts ensure safety.
The incline gradually increases. There is a rope section before the rock ridge. The panorama of Obong's five peaks from the summit is superb.
Traverse 5 Obong peaks along the ridge. Rope climbing sections. Panoramic views of Seoul and Bukhansan National Park from each peak.
Steep descent, passing Songchu Falls. Return to starting point along the valley.
- Hiking Boots (Traction)
- 1-2 trekking poles
- More than 1L of water
- Snacks/Energy Bars
- Sunscreen
- Visitor Center Entrance Snack Bar
- Songchu Valley Restaurant Area after Descent
- Famous for Pajeon, Makgeolli, Sundubu
- Summer: Naengmyeon (cold noodles) recommended
- Subway Line 3 Gupabal Station → Bus 34
- Mangwolsa Station (Line 1) → 10-minute taxi ride
- Car: Songchu Valley Navigation
- Recommended to arrive before 8 AM on weekends
- Spring (April-May): Azalea bloom peak
- Autumn (Oct-Nov): Famous for fall foliage
- Summer: Cool valley
- Winter: Crampons required
- Obong Peak rock ridge handholds for children
- Caution: Downhill descent can be hard on knees
- Do not feed wild animals.
- Complete descent before sunset
- Tranggle: GPS Track
- Korea National Park Service App
- Korea Forest Service Hiking Map
- Weather App
Elevation Profile
Difficulty by Section
Total round trip approx. 7km · 3~4 hours · Dobongsan Station round trip
Dobongsan Station (Line 1 & 7), Exit 1 → Pass through the outdoor specialty street → 15-minute walk to Dobong Information Center.
Gentle along the valley. The site of Dobongseowon is a trace of the seowon (Confucian academy) dedicated to Jo Gwang-jo, a Neo-Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty.
Via Cheonchuksa Temple. Granite exposure section begins. Madangbawi offers excellent views of downtown Seoul.
Steep iron stairs and railings. Jaunbong and Manjangbong peaks are right in front of you. At the fork, choose the Sinseondae direction.
Final rock ridge. 360-degree view from the summit marker. Panorama of Jaunbong, Manjangbong, and Seoninbong peaks.
Descend the way you came up. Return to the visitor center along Dobonggyegok Valley.
- Hiking boots for rock ridges
- Trekking poles (for steel stair sections)
- More than 1.5L of water
- Gloves (for gripping rocks)
- Knee protectors
- Snack break at Madangbawi Rock
- Refill at Cheonchuksa Temple spring
- Dobongsan Station Restaurant Area after Descent
- Famous for sundubu (soft tofu stew) and samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly)
- Dobongsan Station (Line 1 & 7), Exit 1
- 15-minute walk from station to visitor center
- Car: Dobong-dong Parking Lot
- Weekend parking is very congested
- Optimal in Spring/Autumn (April-May, October)
- Summer: Early departure is essential.
- Winter: Crampons required
- Early start recommended during autumn foliage season
- Absolutely no climbing on Jaunbong Peak
- Yield alternately on the steel staircase for ascending and descending
- Caution: Strong winds at Sinseondae summit
- No Night Hiking
- Tranggle: GPS Track
- Korea Forest Service Hiking Map
- Korea National Park Service App
- Weather App
Elevation Profile
Difficulty by Section
Total one-way approx. 7.2km · 4~5 hours · Mangwolsa Station → Dobongsan Station traverse
Mangwolsa Station (Line 1) → 15-minute walk towards Simwonsa Temple. Final resupply at convenience store. Thoroughly check equipment.
After passing Simwonsa Temple entrance, there is a steep slope on Darakneungseon Ridge. Once on the ridge, granite rocks continue. The incline is considerable from the start.
Dobongsan National Park's best rock ridge. Continuous granite hand-and-foot scrambling. Continuous views of Seoul unfold.
Podae Ridge Observatory. Uijeongbu and Sapaesan Mountain visible at a glance. Choose between Y-Valley or detour route.
Dobongsan National Park Highlight. Includes a section to pass through a narrow Y-shaped rock crevice after removing your backpack.
Use ropes and iron bars. Pass one person at a time.
After passing Y Valley, follow the ridge for 200m to Sinseondae. Peak sense of accomplishment. 360-degree panorama.
Descend via Madangbawi Rock, Cheonchuksa Temple, and Dobongseowon Site. Walk to Dobongsan Station. Traverse complete!
- Hiking boots for rock ridges (high friction)
- Gloves required
- More than 2L of water
- Knee and ankle protectors
- Headlamp (for delays)
- Long pants (knee protection)
- Remove backpack first, then pass through
- Maintain sufficient distance from the person in front.
- Check footing before moving
- Observe the order one by one
- Detour: Left option available
- Start: Subway Line 1 Mangwolsa Station
- Arrival: Dobongsan Station (Lines 1 & 7)
- Transfer to Line 1 between the two stations
- Traverse type — Public transportation recommended
- Spring/Autumn (April-May, October)
- Prohibited during summer monsoon season.
- Winter: Crampons and gaiters required
- Rocky ridges are very slippery the day after rain
- Y Valley strictly prohibited for beginners
- Caution: Backpacks may get caught on rock ridges.
- Winter icing is very dangerous
- Dobongsan Office 02-954-2566
- Tranggle/Garmin: GPS Track
- Korea National Park Service App
- Korea Forest Service Hiking Map
- Weather App (Essential before departure)