Did you know that nearly 70% of Korea is covered in mountains? No matter where you are—whether in a bustling city or a quiet countryside—you’ll always be surrounded by scenic peaks. Just a short walk from any town, you’ll often stumble upon lush forest paths perfect for a peaceful retreat.
Today, I’m introducing 10 breathtaking forest destinations with crisp, fresh air and vibrant greenery. If you plan a trip to Korea, set aside time to recharge your body and mind in these serene landscapes.
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| Hallasan Dulle-gil, Autumn [Photo Credit] Wikimedia Commons, GROOT in Jeju |
📝 Important Notes:
l All information is based on January 2025 data.
l Listed prices are for adults only.
l Transportation costs refer to
one-way fares unless otherwise specified.
l Airfare represents a round-trip
ticket between Gimpo Airport and Jeju Airport.
1. Seogwipo Healing Forest, Jeju Island
(서귀포 치유의 숲)
Located in southern Jeju Island,
Seogwipo Healing Forest is a peaceful retreat filled with towering cedar and
cypress trees, some over 60 years old. This lush forest is designed to
provide mental and physical relaxation, offering meditation spaces throughout
the walking trails.
l Opening Hours
Ø Summer (April – October): 08:00 –
17:00
Ø Winter (November – March): 09:00 –
16:00
l Admission Fee: 1,000 – 20,000 KRW
(varies by program)
l Important Notes:
Ø Daily visitor limit: 600 people (reservation
required).
Ø Online booking is available.
l Getting There (By Air + Taxi)
By Air: Gimpo
Airport → Jeju Airport (Est. Time: 1h 10m, fee: 50,000 KRW~)
Taxi: Jeju
Airport → Seogwipo Healing Forest (Est. Time: 50m, fee: 50,000 KRW~)
l Getting There (By Air + Bus)
Airport
Limousine Bus #600: Jeju Airport → Jungmun Tourist Complex (1h – 1h 15m,
6,000 KRW)
Walk: Jungmun
Tourist Complex → Jungmun Post Office (10m)
Bus #282:
Jungmun Post Office → Seogwipo Healing Forest (25m, 1,200 KRW)
🔎 Tip: Renting
a car is highly recommended if you stay in Jeju for over two days!
2. Gapyung Cedar Scent Blue Forest,
Gyeonggi Province (가평 잣향기 푸른 숲)
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Suri, this expansive
pine forest is home to over 52,000 towering pine trees, many over 80
years old. Strolling through the forest, you'll feel an instant sense of peace
and rejuvenation.
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| Gapyung Cedar Scent Blue Forest [Photo Credit] Flickr, Sunlight Foundation |
l Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Daily)
l Admission Fee: 1,000 KRW (adults)
l Must-See Spots: Rock formations and
scenic deck trails
l Getting There (By Train + Taxi)
ITX-Youth Train:
Yongsan Station → Gapyeong Station (1h, 6,900 KRW)
Taxi: Gapyeong
Station → Gapyung Cedar Scent Blue Forest (30m, 30,000 KRW~)
3. Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, Damyang,
Jeollanam-do (담양 죽녹원)
One of Korea’s most famous bamboo
forests, Juknokwon offers an enchanting walk under towering green bamboo while
breathing in phytoncide, a natural healing compound released by plants.
Don’t forget to visit the nearby Metasequoia Road for another scenic
experience.
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| Juknokwon bamboo forests [Photo Credit] KTO, Kim Ji-ho |
l Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Daily)
l Admission Fee: 3,000 KRW (adults)
l Must-Do Activity: Try your hand at bamboo
crafts
l Getting There (By Express Bus + Taxi)
Express Bus:
Seoul Central City Terminal → Damyang Bus Terminal (3h 50m, 30,500 KRW)
Taxi: Damyang
Bus Terminal → Juknokwon (7m, 6,000 KRW~)
📌 Visit the Official Website: 🔗 Damyang Juknokwon
4. Geumgang Pine Forest Road, Uljin,
Gyeongbuk (울진 금강소나무숲길)
With over 500 years of history,
Geumgang Pine Forest in Uljin is a pristine natural retreat. This peaceful
forest is known for its ancient pine trees and stress-relieving
trails.
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| Geumgang Pine Forest in Uljin [Photo Credit] GetArchive |
l Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Daily)
l Admission Fee: 2,000 KRW (adults)
l Important Notes:
Ø Guided tours only—visitors cannot enter alone.
Ø Pre-booking is required.
Ø Closed during fire prevention season: Dec 1, 2024 – April 30,
2025.
l Getting There (By Express Bus)
East Seoul Bus
Terminal → Uljin Geumgang Pine Forest Bus Stop
※ Departs 4
times daily: 08:20, 10:50, 13:30, 16:50
📌 Make a Reservation: 🔗 Uljin Geumgang Pine Forest
5. Anmyeondo Natural Recreation Forest,
Taean, Chungcheongnam-do (안면도 자연휴양림)
Located on Anmyeondo Island, this
natural recreation forest offers stunning views of coastal pine forests.
Walk through Hasong Forest, breathe fresh air, and enjoy the Solhyanggi-gil
(Pine Fragrance Road) with scenic ocean views.
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| Anmyeondo Natural Recreation Forest [Photo Credit] KTO, Kim Ji-ho |
l Opening Hours Daily: 09:00 –
18:00 (Winter, Nov – Feb, Closes at 17:00)
l Admission Fee: 1,500 KRW
l Must-See Spots: Solhyanggi-gil
& Observatory
l Getting There (By Express Bus + Taxi)
Express Bus: Seoul
Central City Terminal → Anmyeondo Bus Stop (2h 20m, 19,200 KRW)
Taxi: Anmyeondo
Bus Stop → Anmyeondo Natural Recreation Forest (5m, 9,000 KRW~)
📌 Make a Reservation: 🔗 Anmyeondo Natural Recreation Forest
6. Bijarim Forest, Jeju Island (제주
비자림)
Bijarim Forest is a unique natural
wonder filled with thick, centuries-old nutmeg trees, designated as a Natural
Monument. This serene forest road offers an immersive slow travel experience,
connecting visitors deeply with nature.
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| Bijarim Forest, Jeju Island [Photo Credit] KTO, Kim Ji-ho |
l Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00 (Last
admission: 17:00)
l Admission Fee: 3,000 KRW
l Must-See Spot: Bijarim’s photo zone
l Getting There (By Air + Taxi)
Airlines: Gimpo
Airport → Jeju Airport (1h 10m, 50,000 KRW~)
Taxi: Jeju
Airport → Bijarim Ticket Office (50m, 35,000 KRW~)
🔎 Tip:
Planning to stay in Jeju for more than 2 days? Car rental is highly
recommended!
7. Woljeongsa Fir Forest, Odaesan
National Park (월정사 전나무 숲길)
A majestic fir tree avenue leads
to Woljeongsa Temple, forming a 1 km-long natural corridor of
towering evergreens. This peaceful trail is perfect for a quiet walk, and
visitors are encouraged to experience a Temple Stay to connect deeper
to Korean Buddhist culture.
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| Woljeongsa Fir Forest [Photo Credit] KTO, Kim Ji-ho |
l Opening Hours: Open year-round
l Admission Fee: Free
l Must-See Spots: Fir Tree Avenue
& Woljeongsa Temple
l Getting There (By KTX + Taxi)
KTX-Eum: Seoul
Station → Jinbu (Odaesan) Station (1h 41m, 21,900 KRW)
Taxi: Jinbu
Station → Woljeongsa Forest Road (20m, 35,000 KRW~)
📌 Learn more about Temple Stay: 🔖 Temple Stay Information
8. Mireuksan Forest Trail & Cable
Car, Tongyeong (통영 미륵산)
The Mireuksan Mountain Trail offers
spectacular panoramic views of Hallyeosudo (Hallyeo Marine National Park).
A cable car ride to the top reveals one of Korea’s most breathtaking sunset
spots, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers.
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| Mireuksan Mountain Landscape [Photo Credit] Flickr, Jacques Beaulieu |
l Cable Car Operating Hours
Ø Oct – Feb: 09:30 – 17:00
Ø Mar – Sep: 09:30 – 18:00
Ø Apr – Aug: 09:30 – 19:00
l Cable Car Fee: 10,000 KRW (round-trip)
l Must-See Spot: Sunset at Mireuksan
Summit
l Getting There (By Express Bus + Taxi)
Express Bus: Gangnam
Express Bus Terminal → Tongyeong Bus Terminal (4h 10m, 38,600 – 45,200 KRW)
Taxi: Tongyeong
Bus Terminal → Mireuksan Cable Car Station (20m, 15,000 KRW~)
9. Hallasan Dulle-gil, Jeju Island (제주
한라산 둘레길)
Encircling Hallasan Mountain, the Hallasan
Dulle-gil Trail is a well-maintained trekking course offering gentle
walks through Jeju’s pristine nature. The trail is particularly stunning
in spring when camellia flowers bloom, and in autumn, when
colorful foliage covers the landscape.
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| Hallasan Dulle-gil, Autumn [Photo Credit] Wikimedia Commons, GROOT in Jeju |
l Best Seasons to Visit:
Ø Spring: Enjoy the full bloom of
camellia flowers.
Ø Autumn: Walk through a scenic trail
covered in autumn foliage.
l Opening Hours: Open year-round
l Admission Fee: Free
l Must-See Spot: Spring camellia
bloom
l Getting There (By Air + Taxi)
Airlines: Gimpo
Airport → Jeju Airport (1h 10m, 50,000 KRW~)
Taxi: Jeju
Airport → Hallasan Dulle-gil Section 1 (Cheona Forest Road) (30m, 20,000
KRW~)
🔎 Tip: Planning to stay in
Jeju for more than two days? Car rental is highly recommended!
📌 Visit the Official Website: 🔗 Hallasan Dulle-gil
10. Gwangneung National Arboretum,
Gyeonggi-do (광릉 숲, 국립수목원)
Gwangneung Forest, a UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve, is home to diverse wildlife and rare plant species. It is a prime spot
for eco-education programs, making it a fantastic destination for nature
lovers, families, and photography enthusiasts.
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| Gwangneung National Arboretum [Photo Credit] Flickr, Christopher John SSF |
l Opening Hours
Ø Summer (April – October): 09:00 – 18:00 (Last admission:
17:00)
Ø Winter (November – March): 09:00 – 17:00
l Admission Fee: 1,000 KRW
l Must-See Attractions: Rare animal
observation & ecological education programs
l Getting There (By Subway + Taxi)
Subway: Seoul
Station → Jinjeop Station (52m)
Taxi: Jinjeop
Station → Gwangneung National Arboretum (15m, 10,000 KRW~)
❗ Important: Prior reservation is required for
entry. If you are visiting by car, you must complete a reservation for
parking access.
📌 Make a Reservation: 🔗 Gwangneung National Arboretum
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