Best trails in Gyeongju National Park
Top trails
- (65)•Hard•3.6 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrSamneung - Namsan (삼릉 - 남산) Namsan in Gyeongju is a mountain where you can enjoy hiking and historical and cultural exploration. You will see vast cultural heritage, including rock-carved buddhas, stone-seated buddhas, stone pagodas, and more from the unified Silla Dynasty. The trail is mostly a gentle dirt path with some stairs. There are better views on the way up than from the summit of Geumobong Peak (금오봉). The trailhead, Samneung is home to three royal tombs from the Silla period....
- (49)•Moderate•1.9 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrBulguksa - Seokguram (불국사 - 석굴암) Bulguksa (불국사) and Seokguram (석굴암) are two popular temples located in Gyeongju National Park (경주 국립공원). These temples are home to historical relics and treasures of Korea. These two shrines are also classified as National Treasures of Korea. If you drive, there is a paid parking lot at Bulgaksa Temple. This area may be closed due to the damage from heavy rains and floods.
- (38)•Hard•3.8 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrBulguksa - Seokguram Grotto - Tohamsan (불국사 - 석굴암 - 토함산) This trail takes you to the top of Tohamsan, passing Bulguksa and Seokguram. Tohamsan is the biggest and most representative mountain in Gyeongju and the site of a large number of historic artifacts such as Bulguksa and Seokguram. You can see the view of East Sea at the top. It is a very good hiking course for men and women of all ages to enjoy. This area may be closed due to the damage from heavy rains and floods.
- (24)•Hard•4.9 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrPoseokjeong Pavilion - Geumobong Peak - Sambulsa Temple (포석정지 - 금오봉 - 삼불사) Namsan in Gyeongju is a national park designated as a World Heritage Site. You can enjoy hiking and exploring the history and cultural heritage in any course in Namsan. Throughout the entire hike, you will see many interesting cultural heritages, including rock-carved buddhas, stone-seated buddhas, stone pagodas, and more from the unified Silla Dynasty. The trail starts out as a strollable dirt path, but at the...
- (18)•Easy•0.8 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrBulguksa Temple (불국사) This historic temple is located on Mount Toham (토함산) and is also known to be one of the greatest works in Buddhist art. Bulguksa is home to several different national treasures of South Korea, such as Cheongun-gyo (청운교), Yeonhwagyo (연화교), and the Seokgatap stone pagoda (석가탑) and many others.
- (18)•Hard•6.2 mi•Est. 3.5–4 hrSangseojang Shrine - Geumobong Peak (상서장 - 금오봉) Once you enter the trailhead at Sangseojang Shrine, you'll pass some tombs and begin a gradual climb. There are many forks along the way, so please refer to the map. There are benches and viewpoints along the way. Geumojeong Pavilion (금오정), which you will pass before reaching Geumobong Peak (금오봉), offers peaceful views of rice fields and mountains. There is Buheungsa Temple (부흥사) near this pavilion, which is also a great spot for appreciating...
- (21)•Hard•5.4 mi•Est. 4–4.5 hrTohamsan - Seokguram Grotto (토함산 - 석굴암) Tohamsan is the biggest and most representative mountain in Gyeongju and the site of a large number of historic artifacts, such as Bulguksa and Seokguram. Seokguram was recognized as a representative work of Eastern Buddhist art and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. At Seokguram Grotto, It is not allowed to take photos inside.
- (13)•Easy•1.0 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrSeokguram Grotto (석굴암) Seokguram, a World Heritage Site located in the middle of Tohamsan Mountain (토함산) in Gyeongju, is a magnificent and mysterious granite Buddha statue in a stone cave. Inside Seokguram, there is a glass wall, and photography is prohibited. When you park in the Seokguram parking lot, the Unified Bell is the first thing you can see. You can pay a fee to hit the bell.
- (13)•Hard•6.0 miSamneung - Namsan - Chilbul-Am (삼릉 - 남산 - 칠불암) This trail allows you to hike and simultaneously be surrounded by amazing cultural heritage. Namsan, located in Gyeongju National Park, has a vast cultural heritage, including rock-carved buddhas, stone-seated buddhas, stone pagodas, and more from the unified Silla Dynasty. Samneung is home to three royal tombs from the Silla period. This place is surrounded by tall and dense trees and is a great place to soak up fresh phytoncides. There is...
- (9)•Hard•5.4 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrPoseokjeong Pavilion - Namsan Stone Pagoda - Geumobong Peak (포석정지 - 늠비봉 5층 석탑 - 금오봉) The course starts at Poseokjeong Pavilion (포석정지), where you can walk on a relatively gentle path. You will pass by Buheungsa Temple (부흥사) and Namsan Stone Pagoda/Neumbibong Five-story Stone Pagoda (남산성지/늠비봉 5층 석탑), a great viewing spot, before reaching the summit. There are restrooms at the Poseokjeong parking lot. The hike starts with a wide path surrounded by pine forests. Afterward, a valley appears, and...
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Frequently asked questions
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Suitability
Points of interest
- Geumobong
- 바둑바위 기점
- Tohamsan
- Seokguram Grotto
- 삼릉곡 마애석가여래좌상
- Seokguram Tongil Daejong Bell
- Seated stone Buddha without the head
- Gwaneumbosal image carved on rock surface
- Yukjonbul (Buddhist images) carved on rock surface
- Stone statue
- 능비봉
- Base stone for a pagoda
- Seokguram Observatory
- Bulguksa Temple
- 남산성
- Seated Rock-carved Buddha on rock surface
- Gowibong peak
- 연화교
- Dabotap
- 청운교